Option traders appear to be setting up for a bullish move on Cobalt International Energy, Inc. (CIE). Traders plowed into 1,553 new call option contracts -- 4.65 times the average volume -- on the stock on Monday. And we know that traders were eager to get into this trade because 98% of the trades came in on the ask price.

Cobalt just bounced up off of support at $7. The stock closed Monday at $8.25, down 1.32% during the past month.

A third day of a rally? This seemed impossible just last week. Despite some choppy retail sales, stocks were up triple-digits in the DJIA in the final minutes before the close and another day not in the red was assured. A slight drop in jobless claims helped as well, even if the pre-holiday week is generally viewed as a wash by Wall Street.

Here are today's unofficial closing bell prices:

Dow 10,138.99 +120.71 (1.20%)
S&P 500 1,070.25 +9.98 (0.94%)
Nasdaq 2,175.40 +15.93 (0.74%)

The Limited is under Limited Brands (LTD) no more. The retail company unloaded the remaining 25% of the eponymous women's apparel retailer to private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, which already held 75% of the company. The final chunk of the 220-store chain sold for roughly $32 million. Sun bought its initial 75% stake in the name in August 2007.

Sun Capital's influence has been good for The Limited, which posted positive pretax annual earnings for the first time since 1993 (ironically, that's the year when I spent 90% of my allowance on their clothes. Honeycomb sweaters, anyone?).

"While stocks have moved up and down sharply in recent months, minibonds have just kept bobbling along, still paying their big dividends and accruing cash to keep paying those dividends," says income advisor Neil George.

The editor of The Pay Me Strategy explains, "You might be surprised to learn how large the universe of minibonds is; there are always new opportunities to add to your minibond collection. Take a peek at what I've found and perhaps take a nibble or two.

For example, media companies CBS (RBV) and Viacom (VNV) have both had to deal with cost containment challenges while trying to bolster revenues from their audiences and advertisers.

Limited Brands (LTD), the parent company of Victoria's Secret, reported better-than-expected numbers Wednesday afternoon for its first quarter, but the stock traded lower in after-hours action.

The company posted earnings of 25 cents per share, beating the 19 cents per share that analysts had been expecting to see. During the same period last year the company earned just a penny per share.

Some investors have already made up their minds the stock market rally is over. Others are convinced there's nowhere to go but up. Both views are oversimplified market predictions, considering the complicated economic environment.

A closer look at the latest stock market news proves that while things aren't all coming up roses on Wall Street, there are plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic the bull market will continue. Here are three of the latest reasons we learned about in the past few days: strong retail sales, strength in one of the worst housing markets and significant increases in corporate spending and dividends.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• American International Group Inc. (AIG) posted a big loss and warned it may require additional assistance.
• Athenahealth (ATHN) shares sank after it delayed earnings and its annual report, and warned of restatements.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (BKS) Q3 sales jumped on popularity of the Nook reader but same-store sales declined.
• Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (BRCD) disappointing report and guidance caused a sell-off in shares.
• Dell Inc. (DELL) acquisitions and better-than-expected earnings may not be enough to stop shrinking market share.
• Gap Inc. (GPS) rose after it beat earnings estimates, raised its dividend and announced stock buybacks.

Limited Brands (LTD - option chain) shares are rising today after the company reported earnings last night, posting a fourth-quarter profit of $356.11 million or $1.08 per share. Excluding one-time items, LTD earned $1.01 per share on revenue of $3.06 billion. Analysts had forecast a profit of 98 cents per share on revenue of $3.05 billion. Since the rest of the market is in the dumps today, the advances made by LTD stock are even more significant as they have to overcome that downward push. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on LTD.

LTD opened this morning at $22.03. So far today the stock has hit a low of $21.90 and a high of $22.53. As of 1:00, LTD is trading at $22.07 up 53 cents (2.5%). The chart for LTD looks neutral and S&P gives LTD a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Last week, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), the world's largest retailer, led off the coming parade of earnings reports from retailers by posting disappointing fourth quarter results. JCPenney (JCP), on the other hand, easily topped earnings expectations.

Many more shopping mall and strip mall stalwarts are scheduled to report results this week. The expectations of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are high for the likes of Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) and Macy's Inc. (M), RadioShack Corp. (RSH) and America's Car Mart Inc. (CRMT), to Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. (CBOU) and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. (CBRL), all expected to report double-digit earnings growth year over year. Here's a look a few of the biggest anticipated earnings winners reporting this week.

Even thought its more than 30 years old, Express continues to be a relevant specialty fashion retailer. In fact, it is ranked the number six player in the U.S., with 573 stores.

So this week, Express filed to go public. The company expects to raise $200 million.

Express focuses on a tough demographic; that is, women and men between the ages of 20 and 30. Yes, this is part of the so-called Gen Y crowd, which can be fickle. But it is also a large market and will continue to grow.

Lingerie is another popular V-Day gift, and Limited Brands (LTD) has the inside track on these sales with its Victoria's Secret stores.

Limited's same-store sales were up 6% in January, thanks to a 17% increase at Victoria's Secret outlets. That's a trend you can take to the bank in February and beyond.

Next: Priceline.com (PCLN)

At the time of this writing, Louis Navellier did not own shares of LTD in personal or client portfolios.

Valentine's Day may be a commercialized holiday to some, but there's no denying that its big business. And this coming Valentine's Day may be extra sweet since it falls on a Sunday, making it a great excuse for a romantic night out. In fact, total Valentine's Day spending is expected to reach $17.6 billion this year, up 3.3% over 2009, according to consumer spending researchers at IBISWorld.

That's a big payday, and one that investors should be paying attention to.

Shoppers spent more time – and money – in malls last month, with many retailers posting on Thursday strong results in what tends to be the final month of their fiscal year. The rich are doing a better job of prying open their wallets, as RetailMetrics, a research firm that covers the industry, reported that luxury retailers such as Saks (SKS) enjoyed larger gains in January than bargain stores. Signs of life in financial markets have made wealthier consumers more willing to spend ... and we all know that a recovery has to start someplace.

The Limited Brands (LTD), which operates both Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, is a sold big cap play in the retail apparel sector," says Leo Fasccioco.

In his Ticker Tape Digest, the technician focuses on stocks that have broken out of basing patterns. He says, "The stock's 12-week, 'W' base is picture perfect. The breakout on the gap move is ideal."

Retailers appear to have been rescued at the last minute, according to data from the International Council of Shopping Centers. Shoppers looking for deals the week before Christmas -- and making up for the day lost to stormy weather on the East Coast -- spent aggressively, sparing the retail sector a dismal 2008-like performance.

The healthy conclusion to the holiday season led to a positive change from November and made December one of only three months (including September and October) in which retail sales increased year-over-year.