Markets lost ground today closing about 1% lower as oil prices eased on higher investory numbers and higher bond yields. Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) fell $3.41 (-7%) to $43.44 after reporting a fourth quarter loss.

Western Union (NYSE: WU) fell $1.24 (-6%) to $21.21. Home Depot (NYSE: HD) rose $1.76 (5%) to $40.03 on a sale of its supply business. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) fell $3.02 (-4%) to $82.82 as oil prices fell.

The NYSE had volume of 3.2 billion shares with 719 shares advancing while 2,565 declined for a loss of 121.44 points to close at 9,905.08. On the NASDAQ, 2 billion shares traded, 851 advanced and 2,186 declined for a loss of 26.8 to 2,599.96.

General Electric (NYSE: GE) saw heavy volume on the July 35 calls (GEGG) with over 95,000 options trading while the December 40 strike moved (GELH) with over 33,000 calls. General Motors (NYSE: GM) saw heavy volume on the September 35 calls (GMIG) with over 27,000 options trading. Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) saw volume on the July 37.50 calls (KFTGU) with over 24,000 options trading. Home Depot (NYSE: HD) saw heavy volume on the August 40 calls (HDHH) with over 22,000 options trading. In options there were 4.9 million puts and 5.4 million calls traded for a put/call open interest ratio of 0.91

Kevin Kersten is an Options Analyst with InvestorsObserver.com. Disclosure note: Mr. Kersten owns and or controls a diversified portfolio of long and short positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about.

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