Top Picks 2021: Appian Corporation (APPN)

Appian (APPN) known for its "low-code" software development tools — scored a top-line beat back in November, explains Bernie Schaeffer, technical expert, options specialist and senior editor at Schaeffer Investment Research.

This acted as a catalyst for a multi-stage rally over the course of that month. The shares peaked at $215 on November 27, well over triple the $62 low that APPN tagged near the end of last October.

The share price then underwent a sharp correction into mid-December before consolidating primarily in the $150's into year-end.

As we enter the new year, wide and deep share technical support in the $145-$155 area suggests that further pullbacks will be truncated as they enter that area, even as APPN’s chart remains bullishly aligned for renewed acceleration to the upside.

In addition, analyst and speculator sentiment remains tepid and behind the curve. The consensus 12-month price target at $85 barely exceeds half of APPN’s 2020 closing price and total put open interest accumulated by options players now exceeds that of call options by 33%.

Most critically, a swing toward a more actively bullish posture by these two constituencies would, as the year progresses, call into play untapped demand for the shares.

We see an advance by APPN in 2021 back to the November 2020 all-time highs as being well within reach for this burgeoning enterprise software leader.

Subscribe to Schaeffer's Investment Research here…