The markets stayed in a holding pattern today, not really moving up or down very much. Oil made some mild gains as November futures rose up $1.58 a barrel to $81.52 as a storm is forecast for the Gulf of Mexico.

The NYSE had volume of 2.7 billion shares with 2,024 shares advancing while 1,227 declined for a gain of 41.90 points to close at 10,142.93. On the NASDAQ, 1.7 billion shares traded, 1,659 advanced and 1,294 declined for a gain of 4.14 to 2,733.57.

Hansen Natural Corporation (NASDAQ: HANS) rose $3.92 (7%) to $62.92. RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) fell $1.25 (-5%) to $21.51. Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN) fell $1.48 (-6%) to $24.34. Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM) rose $4.26 (4%) to $100.54. Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) fell $2.04 (-5%) to $42.28.

In options there were 3.9 million puts and 6.1 million calls traded for a put/call open interest ratio of 0.64. Verizon Communications, Inc. (NYSE: VZ) saw heavy volume on the October 42.50 calls (VZJV) with over 182,000 options trading. The October 40 calls (VZJH) also had volume move with 164,600 options trading. The stock pays a dividend tomorrow so this is likely dividend arbitrage. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE: PBR) saw heavy volume on the October 60 calls (PBRJL) with over 173,700 options trading and also has a $0.43 dividend tomorrow. AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) saw heavy volume on the October 37.50 calls (TJU) with over 75,900 options trading. Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM) moved heavy volume on the October 100 calls (RULJT) with over 38,600 options trading ahead of its earnings after market close today. There were also bearish option players on RIMM with it moving 26,200 October 90 puts (RFYVR) with options trading.

Kevin Kersten is an Options Analyst with InvestorsObserver.com. Disclosure note: Mr. Kersten owns and or controls a diversified portfolio of long and short positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about.

Thursday Market Rap: VZ, PBR, MAR, T & RIMM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The markets continued to work mildly higher as more investors had a chance to react to yesterday's interest rate cuts. There may be some upward pressure on the markets though the end of the week.

The NYSE had volume of 3 billion shares with 2,160 shares advancing while 1,155 declined for a gain of 61.87 points to close at 9,970.9. On the NASDAQ, 2.1 billion shares traded, 2,005 advanced and 1,006 declined for a gain of 14.82 to 2,666.48.

In options, there were 6.4 million puts and 8.6 million calls traded for a put/call open interest ratio of 0.75. The heavy call activity indicate a more positive outlook on the market. General Electric (NYSE: GE) saw heavy volume on the September 40 calls (GEIH) with over 977,900 options trading; likewise the September 37.50 calls (GEIS) with over 638,900 options trading. This excessive high volume is dividend arbitrage as funds grab the stock to get the $0.28 dividend coming tomorrow.

PowerShares QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ: QQQQ) traded heavy volume on the September 50 calls (QQQIX) with over 118,300 options trading and the September 49 calls (QQQIW) with over 77,300 options trading. Altria (NYSE: MO) moved heavy volume on the October 70 calls (MOJN) with over 48,000 options trading. Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE: GS) saw heavy volume on the September 210 calls (GPYIB) with over 47,000 options trading. Financial Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE: XLF) saw heavy volume on the September 35 puts (XLFUI) with over 34,100 options trading.

Kevin Kersten is an Options Analyst with InvestorsObserver.com. Disclosure note: Mr. Kersten owns and or controls a diversified portfolio of long and short positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about.

Wednesday Option Rap: GE, MO, GS, SPY and XLF originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Markets made solid gains today moving well in the green. There are a couple of factors that helped lift the market. It is a natural bounce back from the correction; risk of the sub-prime market is coming off the table with the government's attention and intervention, and the summer is ending and we are headed into the fall a time the market typically does better in.

The NYSE had volume of 2.1 billion shares with 2,321 shares advancing while 995 declined for a gain of 101.66 points to close at 9,698.64. On the NASDAQ, 1.6 billion shares traded, 1,969 advanced and 1,065 declined for a gain of 33.88 to 2,630.24.

SILVER STANDARD RESOURCES INC (NASDAQ: SSRI) rose $1.81 (6%) to $31.02. Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK) gained $1.26 (5%) to $27.93. Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) moved higher $5.68 (4%) to $144.16.

In options there were 3.5 million puts and 4.5 million calls traded for a put/call ratio of 0.78. There were a couple of options that had heavy volume that cought our attention. BankAmerica Corp. (NYSE: BAC) saw heavy volume on the September 47.50 calls (BACIW) with over 103,000 options trading and the September 45 calls (BACII) moved 90,000 options. BAC pays a dividend, so this may be dividend arbitrage. Apple Computer (NASDAQ: AAPL) saw heavy volume on the September 145 calls (APVII) with over 35,000 options trading. Yahoo! Inc (NASDAQ: YHOO) rose $1.24 (5%) to $23.97. Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) saw heavy volume on the January 30 calls (YHQAF) with over 24,000 options trading and the September 25 calls (YHQIE) moved over 23,000 options trading. Bear Stearns reiterated Yahoo at outperform and tech was strong in general today.

Kevin Kersten is an Options Analyst with InvestorsObserver.com. Disclosure note: Mr. Kersten owns and or controls a diversified portfolio of long and short positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about.

Monday Market Rap: YHOO, EK, SSRI, BAC & AAPL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.