Rambus Inc. (RMBS) designs, develops, and licenses chip interface technologies and architectures that are used in digital electronics products.

The microchip sector has been lagging lately but appears to be gaining investor attention.

RMBS is selling very close to a major support line and recently triggered a buy from our in-house indicator, the Collins-Bollinger Reversal (CBR). Note the oversold stochastic.

After seven months of one of the strongest rallies in history, the stock market is showing signs of faltering. From here on out through the rest of 2009, I believe the advance will shift gears, and instead of recording new highs every month, the trend will tend to flatten.

And as we head into the heart of the fourth quarter, I wouldn't bet on the market making many more new highs this year.

Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS - option chain) shares are rising today after the company said European Union antitrust regulators have agreed to drop a probe and any fines if the company reduces its royalty rates for DRAM memory chip patents. The European Commission had charged RMBS with setting exorbitant royalties for DRAM patents. 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 RMBS.

RMBS opened this morning at $16.84. So far today the stock has hit a low of $16.55 and a high of $17.81. As of 11:15, RMBS is trading at $17.44 up 2.35 (15.6%). The chart for RMBS looks bullish.

Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS - option chain) shares are rising today after the Federal Trade Commission withdrew its antitrust case against the company due to a recent Supreme Court ruling against the FTC. The withdrawal eliminates the possibility of further litigation in the matter. 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 RMBS.

RMBS opened this morning at $11.73. So far today the stock has hit a low of $11.27 and a high of $12.21. At 11:20, RMBS is trading at 12.04 up 1.26 (11.7%). The chart for RMBS looks bullish.

Hershey (NYSE: HSY) closed at $40.23 Wednesday. HSY call volume was heavy on August 6, with 21,092 contracts trading. HSY August option implied volatility is at 56, September at 44; above its 26-week average of 30 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS) closed at $15.34 Wednesday. RMBS is the frequent subject of patent infringement & anti-trust claim issues. Hynix Semiconductor, Samsung Electronics and Micron Tech (NYSE-MU) have had patent infringement suits with RMBS. RMBS September option implied volatility of 103 is above its 6-month average of 74 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Financial Select Sector-XLF overall volatility at 39; 26-week average is 38

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

Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS) closed at $16.46 Monday.

RMBS is the frequent subject of patent infringement & anti-trust claim issues. Hynix Semiconductor, Samsung Electronics and Micron Tech (NYSE: MU) have had patent infringement suits with RMBS.

RMBS July 16 straddle is priced at $1.60. RMBS August option implied volatility of 90 is above its 26-week average of 72 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

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

Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS) is recently up $5.64 to $24.39.

Bloomberg reported RMBS wins final phase of Hynix patent infringement trial.

RMBS call option volume of 87,523 contracts compares to put volume of 29,918 contracts. RMBS April option implied volatility is at 83, below a level of from 150 prior to the decision, May is at 64 below a level of 114 and August is at 62 below a level of 87 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS) closed at $18.71 Monday.

RMBS has upcoming patent infringement and anti-trust claim issues.

RMBS April option implied volatility is at 140, May is at 108 and August is at 83; above its 26-week average of 74 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

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

Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS) said it was notified by the SEC that it had ended its formal investigation into the company's past stock options practices. RMBS closed at $19.84. RMBS has upcoming patent infringement and anti-trust claim issues in 2008. RMBS January option implied volatility is 54 and May is at 74. RMBS average option implied volatility over the last 26-weeks is 64 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Micron Technology Inc. (NYSE: MU) is recently up 18 cents to $9.13. MU has been frequently mentioned as takeover candidate over the last 18-months. MU December and January option implied volatility of 57 is above its 26-week average of 42 according to Track Data, indicating larger price risk.

Target (NYSE: TGT) volatility elevated on hopes Ackman's position will lead to changes. TGT is recently up .63 to $62.42. William Ackman's Pershing Square, an activist hedge fund, reported owning a 9.6% position in TGT on 7/16. www.Thestreet.com says "The giant retailer's intent now may be to maintain control of the valuable credit card business while unlocking cash." TGT September & October option implied volatility of 38 is above its 26-week average of 28 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risks.

Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS) volatility increases on renewed takeover chatter. RMBS, a technology licensing company specializing in the invention and design of high-speed chip interfaces, is recently up $1.30 to $17.08 on unconfirmed and renewed takeover chatter. RMBS has a market cap of $1.7 billion with March 2006 total quarterly revenue of $47 million. RMBS has upcoming patent infringement & anti-trust claim issues in 2008. RMBS call option volume of 22,361 contracts compares to put volume of 3,000 contracts. RMBS September option implied volatility is 75, October at 68 above a level of 58 from last week; February 2008 is at 68. RMBS average option implied volatility over the last 26-weeks is 57 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risks.

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

Analysis provided by Paul Foster of Theflyonthewall.com:

U.S. stocks moved higher for the fifth straight session on news that the October Consumer Price Index fell more than expected. The S&P 500 was up 0.27%, NASDAQ 100 was up 0.25%, The Dow was up .44% and the 10 year bond rates rallied to 4.655%. The CBOE VIX was down .15 to 10.16. November options expire on tomorrow, Friday November 17th.

Sears Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:SHLD) is out of money calls, in the money puts its active as Sears sells off based on earnings per share. Sears was recently down 11 to $168.14. GSCO say's "we continue to have reservations about the company's Act 2." Sears December option-implied volatility of 29 is below its 26-week average of 35, according to Track Data, indicating decreasing price risks.

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) November straddle priced for $1.80 move on its earnings per share. Hewlett-Packard is expected to report EPS of $0.64 after the close of trading today. Hewlett-Packard at the money November 40 straddle is priced at $1.80, according to Track Data.

Intuit (INTU) November straddle pricing in a $1.20 move on earnings per share and outlook. The company is expected to report a loss of -.13 cents after the close tonight. November at the money straddle is priced at $1.25 according to Track Data.