Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE: GS) -- volatility up; Global Equity Opportunities (GEO) fund leverage reduced on $3 billion infusion. GS is recently trading up $4.40 to $184.97. GS says, "given the market dislocation, the performance of GEO has suffered significantly. Our response has been to reduce risk and leverage." GS, along with C.V. Starr, Perry Capital LLC and Eli Broad, are making a $3 billion equity investment in GEO. GS said on its conference call it has de-leveraged its GEO fund from six times leveraged to three and a half after the capital infusion. GS September option implied volatility of 51 is above its 26-week average of 30 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.
Amex Financial Select Sector SPDR (AMEX: XLF) -- September volatility at 37. XLF seeks to replicate the total return of the Financial Select sector of the S&P 500 Index. XLF is recently up $0.63 to $33.98. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC), American International Group Inc. (NYSE: AIG), JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC), Wachovia Corp. (NYSE: WB) and GS are components of the XLF. XLF September at the money option implied volatility of 37 is above its 26-week average of 20 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.
Volatility Index S&P 500 Options (VIX) down 1.50 to 26.80.
Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.
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