Reuters reports that several companies in Southern California have been hit by the firestorm there. The stocks in these companies have fallen less than the market -- the S&P 500 is down 3.2% -- in the last week. But in one case -- Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) -- investors dumped the stock for reasons unrelated to the fire.

These six public companies have been affected by the fires as follows:

• Jack in the Box (NYSE: JBX). The San Diego corporate headquarters were closed on Monday and Tuesday, though spokesman Brian Luscomb said there were a couple of dozen employees working at the fast food company's building on Tuesday morning. Its stock is up 0.1% in the last week.
• Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM). Few showed up at the San Diego headquarters of the wireless technology and semiconductor developer, where the bulk of its 11,200 worldwide employees work. Its stock is down 2.8% in the last week.
• Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM). The semiconductor firm closed its San Diego office, but was open in Irvine. Its stock is down 20.9% in the last week -- due to a downgrade.

Continue reading Southern California firestorm singes local stocks

Southern California firestorm singes local stocks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) has five separately managed segments comprising of Southern California Gas, San Diego Gas and Electric, Sempra Commodities, Sempra Generation and Sempra Pipeline and Storage. SRE is expected to report earnings on 11/1. SRE overall option implied volatility of 23 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting flat risk.

Edison International (NYSE: EIX) is the parent of Southern California Edison, the largest electric utility in California. EIX is expected to report earnings on 11/2. EIX overall option implied volatility of 28 is above its 26-week average of 26 according to Track Data, suggesting slightly larger risk.

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

Option update: SRE and EIX not impacted much by Southern California fires originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.