3 Ways to Trade the Rise in Water Stocks

The conservation and purification of water used in homes, businesses, and industries is an investment theme that will continue grow in importance for decades to come. The underlying demand for such products is a key component that many long-term traders look for when identifying candidates for their portfolios. In this article, we will look at three charts that are used by many active traders to gain exposure to water stocks and consider how they will likely position themselves over the weeks and months ahead.

Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO)

When active traders want to gain exposure to niche market segments, such as the conservation and purification of water used across the globe, the answer for many is to turn to exchange-traded products such as the Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO). Fundamentally, the fund comprises 53 holdings from across the globe that are working hard every day to make access to clean water possible.

As you can see from the chart below, the recent retracement from the swing high of $33.28 has sent the price toward an influential level of support as noted by the horizontal trendline. The nearby support will likely be looked to by active traders as a guide for determining the placement of buy and stop orders. More specifically, buy orders may likely be placed as close to the dotted trendline as possible, while stop-loss orders will likely be placed nearby, or below the support of the 200-day moving average, which is currently trading near $29.32.

Pentair plc (PNR)

As one of the top holdings of the PIO ETF, many active traders interested in the water solutions subsector may want to take a closer look at Pentair plc (PNR). Looking at the chart below, you can see that the stock has been trading within a clearly defined uptrend since the 50-day moving average crossed above the 200-day moving average back in July.

Each retest of the combined support shown by the dotted trendline and the 50-day moving average is a technical sign that the bulls are in control of the momentum. Based on the pattern, bullish traders will most likely want to buy as close to current levels as possible and then protect against a selloff by placing stop-loss orders below $47 or $40, depending on risk tolerance and outlook.

American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK)

Another top holding of the PIO ETF that could capture the attention of traders over the weeks ahead is American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK). Looking at the chart below, you will notice that the long-term moving averages and dotted trendlines have provided clear signals to traders on where to place orders.

The lucrative risk/reward setup at the moment suggests that the recent sign of strength could be an early indication of a prolonged move higher. From a risk-management perspective, stop-loss orders will most likely be placed below $140.36 or 134.27, depending on outlook and risk tolerance.

The Bottom Line

The inherent demand for clean water provides a strong basis for investing in companies that specialize in conversation and purification. Based on the chart patterns discussed above, it appears as though lucrative risk/reward setups on charts from across the sector could be presenting traders with an ideal buying opportunity.

At the time of writing, Casey Murphy did not own a position in any of the assets mentioned.