Shares of drugstore chain and healthcare firm Walgreens Boots Alliance ( WBA) were downgraded to "neutral" from "buy" at Robert W. Baird and another firm cut their price target.
The charts of WBA looked constructive back on Jan. 6 but fortunately we decided to buy strength which did not materialize: "Traders could go long WBA on strength above $56 - a new high on the Point and Figure chart. Risk to $50. The $74 area is our price target."
Let's check out the charts again.
In the updated daily bar chart of WBA, below, we can see that the shares declined in January and February and made a short-lived rebound in March before sinking to test the December and February lows. WBA is trading below the declining 50-day and declining 200-day moving average line.
The daily On-Balance-Volume (OBV) line has been weak the past 12 months telling us that sellers of WBA have been more aggressive than buyers. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) oscillator is bearish and is crossing to the downside from below the zero line.
In the weekly Japanese candlestick of WBA, below, we can see that the shares are poised to break to the downside from a lengthy sideways consolidation pattern from $45 to $55. WBA is trading below the declining 40-week moving average line.
The weekly OBV line has turned down over the past three months. The MACD oscillator has slipped below the zero line for an outright sell signal.
In this daily Point and Figure chart of WBA, below, we can see a downside price target of $40.
In this weekly Point and Figure chart of WBA, below, we can see a potential downside price target in the $38 area. I would not rule out a decline to the low $30s.
Bottom-line strategy: The fundamentals and the charts are on the same page -- bearish. Avoid the long side of WBA.
Get an email alert each time I write an article for Real Money. Click the "+Follow" next to my byline to this article.
There high-growth dividend stocks will be here over the long haul.
Real Money's message boards are strictly for the open exchange of investment ideas among registered users. Any discussions or subjects off that topic or that do not promote this goal will be removed at the discretion of the site's moderators. Abusive, insensitive or threatening comments will not be tolerated and will be deleted. Thank you for your cooperation.
If you have questions, please contact us here.
Email
Email sent
Thank you, your email to has been sent successfully.