5 ways to play big central bank moves
After central bank policy set off a big currency move this week, "Fast Money" traders looked to play the shift.
The euro surged against the dollar Thursday after the European Central Bank eased less than expected, partly driven by the unwinding of euro shorts. The dollar gained back some ground Friday after a stronger-than-expected November jobs report and a dovish speech from ECB President Mario Draghi.
Investors bullish on Europe's recovery can buy into the WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Fund to protect against currency fluctuations, said trader Brian Kelly.
If the currency pair stabilizes, consumer staple companies with large international exposure could benefit, said trader Dan Nathan. He pointed to Procter and Gamble and others that have solid dividend yields and seem "defensive." The stock has fallen 14 percent this year.
Trader Guy Adami looked to surging names that "still work." He sees continued upside for Netflix, despite a gain of nearly 170 percent this year.
He also contended that Microsoft — which has climbed 20 percent this year — could touch all-time highs reached in 1999.
Trader Karen Finerman looked domestically to health insurer Anthem. The company — which sold off on but later said it wasn't affected — looks to have upside, she said.
Disclosures:
Dan Nathan
Long PFE buy-write, Long TWTR & Long March Risk Reversal, long IWM Dec Put Spread, Long UUP call spread, Long XLU Dec Call Spread, Long PYPL Jan Risk Reversal, Long M Jan16 52.50 / 62.50 call spread, Long INTC Dec Put Spread, Long XLF Dec put spread, Long NTAP risk reversal, GM Long Jan Put Butterfly
Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly is long BBRY, Bitcoin, GLD, HEDJ, Hong Kong Dollar, TLT, US Dollar; he is short Yuan, British Pound, Candaian Dollar, Euro, GSG, Yen, EEM, EWC, EWH, SPY
Karen Finerman
Karen is long BAC, C, FL, GOOG, GOOGL, JPM, KORS, KORS call spreads, M, SEDG, URI, she is short SPY, Her firm is long ANTM, AAPL, BAC, C, DIS, DIS puts, FL, FL calls, GOOG, GOOGL, GPS, JPM, KORS, LYV, MA, URI, URI long puts, WFM, her firm is short IWM, SPY, MDY. Karen Finerman is on the board of GrafTech International.
Guy Adami
Guy Adami is long CELG, EXAS, INTC, Guy Adami's wife, Linda Snow, works at Merck.