Priceline.com (PCLN) closed at $173.73. PCLN reported better than expected Q3 EPS after the market close yesterday. PCLN November option implied volatility is at 69, December is at 54, January is at 51; versus its 26-week average of 47, according to Track Data, suggesting larger, near term price movement.

Kinross Gold (KGC) closed at $19.41. Gold is recently mixed at $1101. KGC November option implied volatility is at 55, December is at 54; near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Minyanville contributor Lance Lewis dares to share the kind of keen insight and actionable information you won't find in any prospectus. For more original thought, visit www.minyanville.com.

Professor Lewis,

Interesting times, eh what? Is gold being sold -- as the dollar trips down beneath 106 yen -- to raise cash?

For example, was the hedge fund world heavily invested enough there to make gold vulnerable as the ill effects of Lehman work themselves through the system?

Also, any current thoughts about Golden Star Resources Ltd. (NYSE: GSS), Yamana Gold Inc. (NYSE: AUY), Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE: KGC), and the NYSE gold ETF (NYSE: GLD)?

Cheers,
Minyan Bill

MB,

I think you are just seeing gold (and gold stocks) flag a bit here.

Now that we have a deal from Congress, I expect everything is likely going to melt up, but gold and gold equities should rally more (and even make new highs) given the inflationary nature of this deal. Meanwhile, the rally in stocks is likely to just be a bear market rally. This $700 bln will keep the financial system functioning, but it's not a cure-all. It's also going to further cement the stagflationary forces that are pressing in from all sides. That's good for gold but not good for much else.

As for the dollar, I'm not sure we'll see new lows because the G7 will no doubt try and support it, but we could see the DXY move back to its July lows potentially after this bill has passed.

As for thoughts on GSS, KGC, AUY, and GLD, I like them all at these prices.

Prof. Lewis

Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN): Settles patent lawsuit with major rival Affymetrix (NASDAQ: AFFX). Shares trade up to $75.20 against 52-week low of $28.11.

Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC): Price of gold and gold producers just keeps rising. Stock moves up to $22.86 from 52-week low of $9.87.

Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY): Gold again. Rises to $16.30 from 52-week low of $8.40.

PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP): Soft-drinks sales aren't hurt by recessions, as far as anyone knows. Trades up to $79.79 from 52-week low of $61.89.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC) is the favorite speculative idea for 2007 from Martin Weiss. The editor of Safe Money Report explains, "All the money pumping by central banks around the world is driving investors into the one true currency that's stood the test of time -- gold.

"Once above the July high, around $676, it has a clear path to $700 and beyond. Speculators should consider Kinross, the third-largest gold mining company based in Canada, with mines not only in Canada, but also Brazil and Chile.

"Kinross has also just agreed to take over Bema Gold for around $2.55 billion, which, as with most acquisitions, temporarily depressed the shares of the buyer. Meanwhile, Kinross swung from a loss of $44.4 million in the third quarter of 2005 to a profit of $50.3 million in the same period this year. Revenue jumped 23% to $223.6 million. Cash flow from operations rose nicely -- to $86 million from $53 million a year earlier.

"The best news: The Bema takeover boosts Kinross's reserves by a whopping 68% to 41.6 million ounces and will boost annual production toward the 1.8 million ounce mark. Plus, Kinross is gaining a 49% stake in the $2 billion Cerro Casale gold and copper project in Chile, and a 75% stake in Bema's Kupol project in Russia."

To see Martin's favorite conservative investment for 2007, click here.