(By Rich Bieglmieir) In today's
Stock Market Opening Report, we wrote about how recent news combined into an ugly scene on Tuesday. Unless things turnaround quickly, 2012's may continue to visit the ghost of 2011's past.
The 50-day and the 200-day averages, along with Ben Bernanke, are all the support left standing before another free-fall becomes possible.
Since investors can profit from a down market, too. iStock used the bear lists from our
sector performance review to find some short ideas.
AFC Enterprises Inc. (
AFCE) is sitting on multiple bottom support near $21. In late May, the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits operator's stock jumped from $18.11 to 20.85, closing bell to closing bell. If the stock closes below 20.50, then it could fill in the gap – so to speak technically and fall to the breakout point of $18 and change.
Valuation wise, AFCE is fairly priced on a forward P/E versus earnings growth basis, both stand at a little more than 15. On a price-to-book and price-to-sales basis, the stock is expensive relative to its peers.
iStock would suggest waiting for AFCE to close below $20.85 before shorting the stock, buying put options, or implementing any bearish strategy. People with low risk-tolerance might consider a stop loss if the stock closes above $21. Those willing to allow for a little more wiggle room might consider $22 as the stop point.
Our second short candidate is Vail Resorts Inc. (
MTN). The resort for the rich and famous in Broomfield, Colorado's share price pierced the trendline that connects pivot bottoms going back to early June.
While the stock was rising during the June rally, volume was dwindling like a down escalator, not a sign of bullish conviction. If the price can close below $49, then it could ratchet down $1 dollar at a time, with $45.50 to $46.50 as its ultimate destiny.
In iStock's opinion, MTN is overvalued on many levels. Perhaps the most eye opening and best example is the company's PEG Ratio of 9.21. As a rule of thumb, investors should focus on scores under 1.5, maybe 2 max. Like golf, the lower the PEG, the better.
Vail Resorts has low margins and return of equity and assets; which means they must make money on volume. If the consumer continues to tighten up as the economy and job lags, MTN could struggle to meet Wall Street's targets.
A close above $51 and we would be out-of-here on our Vail Resorts Inc. (MTN) short.