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Thursday's equity market rally provided confirmation of the commodity stock breakout discussed in yesterday's Desktop piece ("The MOOve Toward Commodity Stocks"). The Market Vectors Agribusiness ETF (NYSE Arca: MOO) gained 22 cents to close at $30.95, while the GreenHaven Continuous Commodity Index ETF (NYSE Arca: GCC) finished at $22.20, a loss of 29 cents. The disparate closes ratcheted the MOO/GCC ratio to a new year-to-date high of 1.39. One of the stocks leading the agribusiness sector higher was giant Bunge Ltd. (NYSE: BG), a New York-based outfit that makes up 3.9% of the Market Vectors portfolio. Thursday, Bunge climbed $1.71, or 3.1%, higher to finish at $57.63. Bunge Ltd (BG) Vs. Market Vectors Agribusiness ETF (MOO) Bunge's share price led agribusiness lower in 2008, plunging from $135 to the $27 level as earnings fell at a rate that left analysts astounded. The stock's been rangebound since November, but has recently moved into the lead again, this time on the upside. After clearing a critical retracement hurdle in March, Bunge shares are signaling that an interim stop at the $60 level may be on the itinerary on the way to a $74 objective. The speed at which Bunge reaches these levels - more importantly, IF Bunge reaches these levels - depends upon the company's earnings. First-quarter numbers are set for release before the market opening on April 23. Bunge's last two earnings releases were stunningly awful. Street estimates for first-quarter profits – at $1.81 a share just three months ago – have since been pared back to 62 cents. Given the earnings momentum of the past four quarters, analysts shouldn't be surprised if a loss as great as $1.43 were actually posted by Bunge. | 12-Month Return | Annual Volatility | Correlation To MOO | Earnings Surprise EMA | Consensus EPS Forecast | EMA-Adjusted EPS Forecast | Bunge Ltd (BG) | -46.9% | 74.4% | 76.4% | -330.3% | $0.62 | -$1.43 | Market Vectors Agribusiness (MOO) | -48.6% | 63.0% | -- | -- | -- | -- |
EMA = exponential moving average Traders in the options market seem to be more bullish in their Bunge bets. Thursday, July 75/50 strangles were traded at prices suggesting decreased volatility expectations for the stock. Historically, price volatility is higher in downtrending markets and lower in bull moves. In a strangle, calls and puts with different strike prices are simultaneously purchased, or sold, on the same underlying stock. Traders selling the July strangle for a combined premium of $4.30 a share yesterday advertised their expectation that Bunge's price won't exceed $79.40 or dip below $45.70 over the next three months. Plainly, the optionistas are giving Bunge more than a little room on the upside. The trade pattern on April 23 may tell us if that was a prescient move.
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