LabCorp (LH - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company announced that it has agreed to purchase Genzyme's (GENZ) Genzyme Genetics unit in a $925 million all-cash deal. The price was higher than some analysts expected and is expected to negatively impact LH's earnings by 0.25 over the next year, which is sending LH stock lower today. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on LH.

This morning, LH opened at $75.55 So far today the stock has hit a high of $75.99 and a low of $73.93. As of 12:25, LH is trading at $73.73 down $2.93 (-2.9%). The chart for LH looks bullish and S&P gives LH a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Option traders appear to be setting up for a bullish move on Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (CYPB). Traders plowed into 1,305 new call option contracts -- 19.19 times the average volume -- on the stock on Friday. And we know that traders were eager to get into this trade because 100% of the trades came in on the ask price.

Cypress has been in a downtrend since hitting a high around $10.00 in July 2009. The stock closed Friday at $3.39, down 10.79% during the past month.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: The semiconductor sector, Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) and Federal National Mortgage Association (NYSE: FNM) were today's noteworthy upgrades:

• Bernstein upgraded the semiconductor sector to Overweight form Market Weight on expectations that utilization will rise starting in Q2. The firm upgraded ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ: ASML) to Outperform from Market Perform and Infineon Technologies (NYSE: IFX) to Market Perform from Underperform.
• UBS upgraded Quest Diagnostics to Buy from Neutral, citing Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings' (NYSE: LH) contract renewal with Cigna HealthCare, which should ease concerns regarding deteriorating pricing.
• Fannie Mae was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Friedman Billings, citing improving fundamentals, better business mix and the possibility the company reports current financials in the next 12-18 months.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Mediacom Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: MCCC) was upgraded to Neutral at Pali Capital, as the firm does not see a major catalyst to drive down shares.
• Soleil upgraded shares of ICU Medical Inc (NASDAQ: ICUI) to Buy from Hold.
• DynCorp International Inc (NYSE: DCP) was upgraded to Outperformer from Sector Performer at CIBC World Markets.
• CIBC also upgraded shares of Radware Limited (NASDAQ: RDWR) to Outperformer from Sector Performer.