Biotechnology stock Guardant Health (GH) is trading at 15-month highs today, last seen up 7% at $38.28. Shares have added 107.7% over the last nine months, and now stand nearly 42% higher in 2024. Plus, a bullish signal now flashing suggests GH’s rally could still have legs, if past is precedent.
Guardant Health stock’s recent highs coincide with historically low implied volatility (IV) — a combination that has been bullish for the security in the past. According to data from Schaeffer’s Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, there were two other instances when GH was trading within 2% of its 52-week high, while its Schaeffer’s Volatility Index (SVI) sat in the 20th annual percentile or lower. This is the case with the stock’s current SVI of 48%, which sits in the 1st annual percentile.
Data shows that one month after both signals, the equity averaged a 10.5% one-month gain. From its current perch, a move of similar magnitude would put the stock above $42 for the first time since December 2022. A short squeeze could keep the wind at Guardant Health stock’s back. Though short interest has started to unwind, it still represents 8% of GH’s available float, or more than four days’ worth of pent-up buying power.