Marvell Technology Stock Pops After Earnings
Most of its sector peers are trading lower today, though
Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL) is bucking broader tech headwinds today, after the chipmaker reported adjusted third-quarter profit of 33 cents per share on $851 million in revenue -- more than analysts were expecting. And even though company forecast a roughly 10% decline in current-quarter storage revenue, MRVL stock is up 3% in electronic trading.
Not everyone is impressed with Marvell Technology's earnings report, though, with no fewer than seven analysts cutting their price targets on the chip stock. Morgan Stanley set the lowest bar at $19 -- down from $23. Jefferies, on the other hand, called MRVL's valuation "compelling."
Looking at the charts, the stock has been trending lower since its early-August peak of $22.25, with its 30-day moving average applying steady pressure in recent months. The shares bottomed at an annual low of $14.69 on Nov. 20, and were down almost 28% heading into today's trading, closing Tuesday at $15.50.
Options traders have been anticipating more downside for the tech stock. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), MRVL's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 0.85 ranks in the 93rd annual percentile, meaning puts have been bought to open relative to calls at a quicker-than-usual clip.
On the other hand, short sellers have been cashing out during MRVL's recent slide. Short interest fell 17.8% in the most recent reporting period to 23.05 million shares. These bearish bets now account for just 3.7% of the stock's available float, or roughly two times its average daily pace of trading.