Nucor (NYSE: NUE) closed at $81.44 Thursday. NUE is a manufacturer and marketer of steel products. NUE overall option implied volatility of 42 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.
US Steel (NYSE: X) closed at $176.61. CIBC World has a $175 price target on X. X overall option implied volatility of 48 is near its 26-week of 51 average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price risk.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
The Wall Street Journal reported RIMM plans to introduce a Touch-Screen Blackberry in Q3. The new BlackBerry will be sold at Verizon Communications, Inc. (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone Group Plc (ADR) (NYSE: VOD) only. RIMM call option volume of 66,506 contracts compared to put volume of 33,947 contracts. RIMM June option implied volatility of 42 wa below its 26-week average of 57 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
CBS (NYSE: CBS) announced it agreed to buy CNET for approximately $1.8 billion, or $11.50 a shares. CBS says the acquisition will make CBS one of the 10 most popular Internet companies in the United States.
CNET overall option implied volatility of 50 is below its 26-week average of 55 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
The WSJ reported that GE is seeking to sell its appliance division.
Smith Barney says: "Reiterate Hold Rating – GE appears to be on the path to much needed portfolio streamlining, but the processes could be disruptive in the near term."
GE overall option implied volatility of 23 is below its 26-week average of 26 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price risk.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
Stifel Nicolaus lowered its rating on BUD to Hold from Buy on valuation.
BUD call option volume of 23,897 contracts compares to put volume of 3,558 contracts. BUD June option implied volatility of 35 is above its 26-week average of 25 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
Deere (NYSE: DE) was trading at $84.99 in early trading, below its close of $90.19 Tuesday.
DE reported Q2 EPS of $1.74 versus consensus estimates of $1.75.
Goldman Sachs says: "Estimates and price target are under review."
DE May 90 straddle closed at $5.95, June at $11.10. DE June option implied volatility of 47 is above its 26-week average of 43 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
ERTS is scheduled to report Q1 EPS after the market close today.
ERTS unsolicited $2 billion buyout offer for Take Two (NASDAQ: TTWO) expires on May 16.
ERTS May 55 straddle is priced at $3.55. ERTS June option implied volatility of 36 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price fluctuations after EPS & TTWO offer expiration.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
The WSJ reported HPQ is in advanced talks to acquire Electronic Data Systems (NYSE: EDS) for between $12 billion and $13 billion according to sources.
HPQ call option volume of 59,863 contracts compares to put volume of 21,209 contracts. HPQ June option implied volatility of 35 is near its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, suggesting slightly larger price risk.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
RIMM announced the introduction of BlackBerry Bold smartphone.
Smith Barney says: "We expect its 3G capability will help drive strong international growth for RIMM. We expect AT&T (NYSE: T) will be the first domestic carrier to offer the Bold."
RIMM call option volume of 77,745 contracts compares to put volume of 45,526 contracts. RIMM June option implied volatility of 45 is below its 26-week average of 57 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing movement.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital have filed suits to try to force a bank group to fund their $19 billion buyout of CCU. The bank group is asking the courts to dismiss a part of the litigation.
Bloomberg is reporting that the CCU trail in New York State Court has been delayed by one day and that lawyers decline to comment on whether a settlement is in the works.
CCU call option volume of 23,870 contracts compares to put volume of 5,295 contracts. CCU May 32.5 straddle is priced at $4.10. CCU June option implied volatility of 89 is above its 26-week average of 61 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risk.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
EnCana (NYSE: ECA) plans to separate into two companies, one focused on oil and the other natural-gas assets.
ECA closed at $85.93 Friday.
Friedman Billings Ramsey says: "The sum-of-the-parts DCF valuation is $92/share based on the company's most reserve data."
ECA over all option implied volatility of 35 is above its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, suggesting slightly larger price fluctuations.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
Suntech Power (NYSE: STP) closed at $47.12 Thursday. 
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