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Options Update: Insurance providers volatility near low end of range

Progressive (NYSE: PGR) an auto insurance company, closed at $14.50. PGR July option implied volatility is at 49, August is at 44; below its 26-week average of 60; according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Willis Group (NYSE: WSH) a brokerage and risk management company, closed at $25.66. WSH July and August option implied volatility of 44 is below its 26-week average of 54, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing movement.

Marsh & McLennan (NYSE: MMC) closed at $20.39. MMC July option implied volatility is at 32, August is at 36; below its 26-week average of 47 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Analyst upgrades: PFB, ERIC, MMC, DLTR and TAL

MOST NOTEWORTHY: PFF Bancorp, Ericsson and TAL International Group were today's noteworthy upgrades:
  • B. Riley upgraded shares of PFF Bancorp (NYSE: PFB) to Neutral from Sell on valuation with the stock trading at 11% of the last reported tangible book value of $14.37 at December 31, 2007.
  • RBC Capital believes Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) will benefit from network builds in North America and Asia. Shares were raised to Outperform from Sector Perform.
  • Baird upgraded TAL International Group (NYSE: TAL) to Outperform from Neutral based on solid container leasing demand, rising container costs, and more constrained capital conditions.
OTHER UPGRADES:
  • Deutsche Bank upgraded Telecom Italia (NYSE: TI) to Buy from Hold.
  • JP Morgan upgraded Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR) to Neutral from Underweight.
  • Goldman raised Marsh & McLennan (NYSE: MMC) to Neutral from Sell.

Market highlights for next week: April sales results coming out

Monday, May 5
  • Happy Cinco de Mayo!
  • Day one of the two-day FDA Anesthetic/Life Support Drugs & Drug Safety/Risk Management Advisory Committees meeting: Purdue Pharma's NDA for Oxycontin.
  • Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC) to report Q1 earnings; conference call Tuesday at 10:00am.
Tuesday, May 6
  • Day two of the two-day FDA Anesthetic/Life Support Drugs & Drug Safety/Risk Mgmt Advisory Committees meeting: Cephalon's (NASDAQ:CEPH) sNDA for Fentora.
  • Molson Coors (NYSE:TAP) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 12:00pm.
  • Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) to report Q2 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.
Wednesday, May 7
Thursday, May 8
Friday, May 9

Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-42.6310,408.32
NASDAQ-11.582,164.43
S&P 500-3.201,103.04

Last updated: November 24, 2009: 12:40 PM

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