STMicroelectronics is coming off its first-quarter earnings report
The shares of STMicroelectronics NV (NYSE:STM) are off 0.8% at $36.96, extending Friday's negative price action, headed for its lowest close since March with pressure forming at the $37 level, which is home to STM's year-to-date breakeven level. The firm just came off a first-quarter earnings and revenue beat, which initially drove STM to a two-month peak of $40.59. While the stock has plummeted since that peak, it looks like a historically bullish trendline could be keeping this pullback in check, and could launch STM higher up the charts this month.
The trendline in question is STM's 160-day moving average. According to a study from Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, STM has come within one standard deviation of the trendline four other times in the past three years. One month after 67% of these signals, STM was higher, averaging a 5.4% return. A similar move from its current perch would put the stock just below the $40 level.
STM still sports a solid 50% year-over-year return, a fact that could inspire more members of the brokerage bunch to turn bullish on the equity. Currently, five covering the chip stock call it a "buy" or better, while three say "hold" or worse. Meanwhile, the 12-month consensus price target of $45.11 is a 21.8% premium to today's levels.
The firm's recent earnings were met with a bullish reaction from the options crowd, however. In the last two weeks 15,000 calls exchanged hands, compared to just 6,179 puts. Most popular during this time period was the May 45 call, where positions were being opened. This means these traders are speculating on a lot more upside for the underlying stock by the time these contracts expire later this month.