Analyst Predicts More Upside for LULU

B. Riley FBR lifted its price target on LULU to $257 from $210

The stretch pants stay-at-home uniform adopted by many during self-isolation has been a boon for apparel name Lululemon Athletica Inc (NASDAQ:LULU), at least according to Susan Anderson at B. Riley FBR. The analyst raised its shares to $257 from $210 -- a roughly 13% premium to current levels -- citing an increased demand for athleisure clothing. The analyst maintained its "buy" rating.

Despite the bull note, LULU is coming off yesterday's two-month peak of $237.49, which is also home to the stock's year-to-date breakeven level. The stock is down 2.3% at $227.21, though it's still set to close April up 20%, marking the equity's best month since its climb towards record highs back in January.

While LULU still has a ways to go before reclaiming its mid-February peak, it still boasts an impressive year-over-year gain of 29.5%, and should LULU resume its climb, the stock could start attracting even more bull notes. While 18 of the 26 covering Lululemon consider it a "buy" or better, the remaining eight say "hold."

The options pits have also taken a pessimistic position on LULU, with 1.14 puts picked up for every call at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) in the past 10 weeks. This ratio sits higher than all but 6% of readings from the past year, suggesting a much healthier appetite for long puts of late.

Now looks like an opportune time to get in on LULU's next move with options. The security's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 42% stands higher than just 20% of all other readings from the past year, implying that near-term option traders are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations.