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Why I’m Targeting a New Trade in This Popular Food Products Stock

Why I’m Targeting a New Trade in This Popular Food Products Stock

Posted On March 3, 2021 2:15 pm
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Yesterday, I discussed how I was starting to seek out some bearish positions with my first two targets being Caterpillar (CAT) and Deere (DE).  They both opened lower and I don’t want to sell into a recent low — so I’m patiently waiting to initiate a short into CAT if it rallies to the $218 level. 

Another name I’m targeting for a bearish position is Beyond Meat (BYND), the maker of plant-based protein or alternative meat products. 

The company reported earnings last Thursday, and the numbers were terrible across the board; it missed big on top and bottom lines, with margins and market share down sharply, lost to its competitor,  Impossible Foods.  

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The stock initially tanked some 15% ($20 to $127).  Full disclosure: I took a bearish position prior to the report (and recommended the same to Earnings360 members).  However, my initial joy quickly turned to sad disbelief as the very next print was $35 higher near at $165 per share!  The market-moving news was BYND has ink agreements with both McDonalds (MCD) and Yum (YUM).  What I thought was going to be an overnight 200% profit turned into a small loss. 

But I digress. As the market and I began sifting through the terms of those agreements, there was less than meets the eye.  Neither is an exclusive deal (both MCD & YUM are working with other companies such as Impossible Foods) to promote Beyond by brand name; MCD actually issued a release clarifying the limited scope of the agreement.  The stock finished the day up just $1 at $145.  I couldn’t salvage my earnings trade. But, it has me on the hunt for a longer-term bearish position. 

The fact is Beyond Meat products may be positioned as environmentally healthy for the planet, but it’s patently unhealthy for the human diet; they’re heavily processed and contain more saturated fat and double the sodium than beef. 

The company also has an unhealthy balance sheet, continuing to bleed cash and just today issued $1 billion in convertible notes to provide much-needed working capital. 

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The shares have been on a steady slide since the earnings report — now below $140, which has been frustrating but confirms my bearish thesis.  I’ll be looking to initiate a bearish position against the $145 resistance with a target to take out to the double bottom $115 lows hit in November and earlier this year. 

BEYOND MEAT 2020-2021 chart

While I’m waiting for CAT and BYND entry prices, my concern over the recent market action had me move to establish some broader downside protection via index products.  Specifically, I bought a bearish put spread in the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM).  The reason I chose IWM is it’s shown very good relative strength as there has been a distinct rotation from high-tech growth to value. 

IWM has benefited as it’s composed of more cyclical sectors such as energy and financial companies leveraged to re-opening.  Over the past two weeks, the tech-heavy Powershares Nasdaq (QQQ) has declined some 5% while IWM is down just 0.05%.   That rotation is persisting today.  At midday, the IWM is up 1% while the QQQ is down 1%.  This is one of the largest daily dispersions between two broad ETFs in over 10 months.   I think we’re close to this rotation running its course and expect IWM to have a short-term pullback. 

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One of the reasons I think the IWM reverts lower in the near term rather than the QQQ resuming its uptrend is because of the economic recovery, the stimulus, and the potential for an infrastructure deal are now fully priced in. 

Also, an interesting Bank America report has one of its quantitative models hitting a sell signal for the first time since 2007. 

self side indicator chart extreme bullishness bearish

Essentially, it signals that 14 years later, Wall Street is finally fully embracing the bull market.  It’s a contrary indicator and as the recent sell the news on good earnings reports suggest, things got as good as they’re gonna get.  Even as Main Street rebounds, expect Wall Street to become a more bumpy road.   

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About author

Steve Smith

Steve Smith have been involved in all facets of the investment industry in a variety of roles ranging from speculator, educator, manager and advisor. This has taken him from the trading floors of Chicago to hedge funds on Wall Street to the world online. From 1987 to 1996, he served as a market maker at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) and Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). From 1997 to 2007, he was a Senior Columnist and Managing Editor for TheStreet.com, handling their Option Alert and Short Report newsletters. The Option Alert was awarded the MIN “best business newsletter” in 2006. From 2009 to 2013, Smith was a Senior Columnist and Managing Editor for Minyanville’s OptionSmith newsletter, as well as a Risk Manager Consultant for New Vernon Capital LLC. Smith acted as an advisor to build models and option strategies to reduce portfolio exposure and enhance returns for the four main funds. Since 2015, he has worked for Adam Mesh Trading Group. There, he has managed Options360 and Earning 360, been co-leader of Option Academy, and contributed to The Option Specialist website.