Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) closed at $15.22 on Friday. MS is expected to report Q4 EPS in mid December. MS December 15 straddle is priced at $3.30. MS January option implied volatility of 126 is above its 26-week average of 98 according to Track Data, suggesting large price movement.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) closed at $70.72 on Friday. GS is expected to report Q4 EPS on December 16. GS December 70 straddle is priced at $13.30. GS January option implied volatility of 103 is above its 26-week average of 74 according to Track Data, suggesting large price movement.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE: MTU) said it will raise about $4.3 billion by selling common shares to boost capital. MTU overall option implied volatility of 91 is above its 26-week average of 62 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Financial Select Sector-XLF overall volatility at 83; 26-week average is 53

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

Options Update: Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs volatlity elevated into outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The land of the rising sun may be the investor's best bet as a land of rising stock prices, according to a trio of leading advisors.

Japan's current economic expansion is now over 60 months and running, making it the longest expansion in that country in the postwar period according to global advisor expert Carl Delfeld. He says, "Investors should not underestimate Japan's potential - it may be the best growth story in Asia."

The editor of Chartwell Advisor explains, Japanese stocks took a breather in 2006 -- rising 5.5% -- after gaining 35% in 2003, 15% in 2004 and 25% in 2005.

Despite these gains, he notes that the Japanese market is still 60% below its 1989 peak. Is it time to catch up? He says, "Investors should not underestimate Japan's potential - it may be the best growth story in Asia."

Indeed, while many see Xhina as the more exciting growth play, he says, "Japanese companies have long tentacles in emerging Asia, with especially strong networks in Southeast Asia. Plus, in Japan, there is a mountain of cash sitting on the sidelines. Even if just a small amount moves into equities, it will ignite some handsome returns."

Among individual stocks, he likes Kyocera (NYSE:KYO), a large multinational with products and markets that span electronics, fiber optics, and wireless. For broad exposure to the Japanese market, he recommends the iShares Japan ETF (ASE:EWJ), which tracks the MSCI Japan index, which is made up of 350 companies.

Continue reading Global trio turns to Japan

Global trio turns to Japan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.