BAC – Bank of America (Last:8.05)

Bank of America (BAC) price chart with targetsThe 8.08 rally target shown look sufficiently compelling to warrant the purchase of puts when the stock gets there.  Camouflageurs can short the shares naked, risking no more than 6 cents per round lot, but for those who prefer the ease and leverage of options, I’ll recommend buying two March 9 puts (or multiple thereof) with the stock trading within 3 cents of the target. I’ll further recommend that you stop yourself out if the puts trade 15 cents below their purchase price, since it’s always possible B of A will fail to heed the Hidden Pivot resistance.  If we do the trade, our goal will be to eventually short puts of a lower strike for the same amount we’ve paid for the 9s. That would give us some vertical bear spreads with no possibility of a loss. _______ UPDATE (9:58 a.m. EST):  The  stock has gotten no higher this morning than 7.98, but if it hits the 8.08 target today, expect to pay about 1.12 for the puts. _______ FURTHER UPDATE (10:34 a.m. EST):  The stock popped to 8.09, pushing the puts as low as 1.06. Officially, I’ll record a purchase of two for 1.10.  For now, if they trade down to 0.95, stop yourself out of the position.