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Oracle Corp (ORCL) stock still looks cheap to value buyers, given its 20x forward P/E multiple and Oracle's massive FCF generation. ORCL stock has been treading water lately, which is ideal for selling short out-of-the-money (OTM) put options.
For example, ORCL closed at $113.06 per share on Friday, Aug. 11, down just 4.1% from the end of July when it closed at $117.91. That means that traders who sell short OTM puts can collect extra income with near-term expiration plays.
In fact, I discussed this situation in our recent July 25, 2023, Barchart article, “Oracle Corp Stock Is Treading Water - Ideal For Traders Shorting OTM Puts.”
Huge Free Cash Flow
For example, I pointed out that Oracle made $8.47 billion in its fiscal Q4 ending May 30, on a trailing 12-month (TTM) basis. That was up 68% from the $5.028 billion in TTM FCF it made a year ago. This is because Oracle benefits from both the growth in cloud spending and as well as from AI-related initiatives.
It also works out to a 16.9% FCF margin based on its $50 billion in fiscal 2023 TTM revenue. So, going forward, we can expect that Oracle will generate a pile of FCF.
For example, analysts surveyed by Seeking Alpha forecast that revenue ending May 2024 will reach $54.11 billion, up 8.2% from $50 billion last year. So, if we apply this 17% FCF margin against this revenue projection, FCF could hit $9.2 billion.
That FCF estimate represents about 3.0% of its $307 billion market capitalization. Typically tech stocks like this can trade with a 2% FCF yield to a 3.33% yield. This is the same as trading at 30x to 50x FCF.
Therefore, on average we might expect ORCL stock to trade at least at 40x FCF, i.e., $368 billion (i.e., 40x $9.2 billion). That represents a potential 20% upside (i.e., $368b/$307b-1). In other words, ORCL stock could move up to $135.62 (i.e., 20% higher than $113.06).
One way to conservatively play this is to short out-of-the-money (OTM) puts, along with holding ORCL stock.
Shorting OTM ORCL Puts
For example, traders can look at selling short Sept. 1, 2023, expiration puts at the $109 strike price and then collect $1.19 per contract. That strike price is 3.59% below today's spot price of $113.06 per share (Aug. 11 close).
Here is how this works. First, the trader puts $10,900 or more in their brokerage account, either with cash and/or a mix of cash and margin. For example, holding 100 shares of ORCL stock will provide a certain amount of margin (i.e., typically 50%).
Next, they can enter an order to “Sell to Open” one put contract at $109 per share. The brokerage account will then immediately receive $119.00 from selling short the $109 put strike price.
OTM Put Yields and Returns
So, that represents about 1.09%, i.e., $119/$10,900 invested, with just 3 weeks until expiration. So, if that trade can be repeated every 3 weeks, it works out to an annualized 18.53% rate of return (i.e., 1.09% x 17x).
There is always the risk that ORCL could fall to $109 or below on or before Sept. 1. However, at least in that situation, the investor does not have to sell his shares in ORCL. They would be required to use the $10,900 to purchase 100 shares at $109 per share. That may or may not result in an unrealized loss, but it could also potentially lower the investor's average cost.
To help avoid this situation, a more conservative play would be to sell short the $108 strike price, or even lower. That strike premium is at $0.97, which represents a lower 0.90% premium yield (i.e., $0.97/$108).
And keep in mind that even if the short put play gets exercised, the investor can always turn around and sell short OTM calls, known as “covered call” plays. This can help ameliorate any unrealized loss.
The bottom line is that given Oracle's huge free cash flow, ORCL stock's upside is significant. One way to conservatively play this is to short OTM put options for extra income.
On the date of publication, Mark R. Hake, CFA did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
