Gaming ETF BJK has averaged a healthy gain in July, going back 10 years
U.S.
stocks are lower this afternoon, as the tech and retail sectors take a hit. However, one sector could be a safe bet for bulls in the near term, if past is prologue: gaming. Not only is the
VanEck Vectors Gaming ETF (BJK) among the best exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to own in the month of July, historically, but casino concern
Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN) could be sending up a "buy" signal. Below, we'll explain why BJK and WYNN could be ripe for stock and short-term options traders.
BJK Tends to Get Fired Up in July
The VanEck Vectors Gaming ETF has averaged a gain of 4.58% in the
month of July, going back 10 years, according to data from Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White. That's among the highest of all funds that we track. What's more, the ETF has ended the last seven of 10 Julys in the black.
Further, the gaming sector is the only one we track with 100% of stocks trading above their 80-day moving average. Plus, the average year-to-date stock return for the sector is 36.6%, per data from White -- second to only biotech -- and the average 52-week return of 57.7% is tops. Still, skepticism remains prevalent toward many gaming stocks, including WYNN -- which could point to more upside ahead.
WYNN Stock Could Be Flashing 'Buy'
Since breaking out atop resistance in the $100-$105 area earlier this year, the shares of Wynn Resorts have been on fire. The stock touched an annual high of $139.67 on June 26, but has since pulled back to test its 40-day moving average. The last two times WYNN stock retreated to this trendline after a lengthy stay above it, the shares rocketed higher in the short term. Specifically, Wynn Resorts stock was higher both times one month out, averaging a gain of 6.57%.
Despite outperforming the broader S&P 500 Index (SPX) by more than 10 percentage points in the past 60 sessions, WYNN stock remains plagued by pessimism. The equity's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.02 is higher than 82% of all other readings from the past year, suggesting near-term options traders are more put-heavy than usual. Plus, more than half of the analyst covering Wynn Resorts stock has offered up a tepid "hold." An unwinding of skepticism in the options pits or a round of well-deserved upgrades could add fuel to WYNN's fire.
Whether rolling the dice on BJK or WYNN, now is an opportune time for short-term options buyers to make a move. BJK's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 22% is higher than just 9% of all other readings during the past year, indicating the ETF's near-term options are attractively priced, from a historical volatility standpoint. WYNN stock, meanwhile, sports an SVI of 30% -- in the 19th percentile of its annual range.