International Game Technologies (IGT) announced lowered guidance after the close on Tuesday. Management now says the company will earn about $1.00 to $1.10 per share in FY 2014 (ends Sep. 30) rather than the $1.20 consensus estimate. By 10:40 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the shares had tumbled to a new low of $13.46, down about 9.4%. I had just picked up 1000 IGT at $14.75 the day before.
It's never fun to see shares you own go down. If you liked them at higher prices it's a good time to reassess your original reason for buying. If it is still valid, the newly-reduced quote might be a buying opportunity.
I still like IGT but reality suggested a reduced near-term expectation for a quick, sharp rebound.
'Trade repair' techniques can help salvage an older position without giving up on it. I took a few different actions with IGT on Wednesday to accomplish that objective.
- Bought more shares to 'average down' my cost basis
- Sold covered calls (Oct. $15 @ $1.05, Jan. 2015 $15 @ $1.35)
- Sold Jan. 2016, $15 Puts @ $3.90
The new buy reduced my basis in IGT to an average of $14.10 per share.
My average covered call premium received was $1.20 per share. That took substantial risk off the table while limiting my upside over the next 7 to 10 months.
The newly written long-term $15 puts committed me to buying another batch of IGT at a net cost of just $11.10 ($15 strike price - $3.90 put premium). That 2016 expiration date leaves almost two full years for the shares to recover back to $15 or above.
IGT pays a well-covered reasonable dividend that provides a 3.26% current yield at $13.47. That pays me for holding and should help support the price.
If IGT rebounds past $15 by Oct. 17, 2014, I'll be forced to sell half my shares at a net price of $16.05. If the stock is $15 or better on Jan. 16, 2015, I'll sell the other half for $16.35. Those are not as good as my original targets but either sale would translate to a decent percentage gain from my now lowered cost basis.
If the LEAP puts are eventually exercised ,I'll be forced to own more IGT at a price near the exact 5-year low point. I would be okay with that knowing there have been multiple opportunities to exit above $18 during each of the past dozen calendar years.
At the time of publication Price was long IGT shares, short IGT puts and calls.