A few points about the public policy impact of Tuesday's stunning Republican victory in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate election:

You'll hear a great deal of analysis arguing that health care reform, and the bank bail-out, convinced Independents to vote for Republican Scott Brown. To be sure, those two factors (in political science, they're called variables) played a role, as did Democratic candidate Martha Oakley's listless, clumsy campaign, but the biggest factor affecting vote was the Massachusetts' unemployment rate, which is high, as it is across the United States.

The biggest eyewear firm in the world makes thousands of house brand and designer frames in Italy and China and sells them around the globe. Know who it is? Read on.

Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX) designs, manufactures, distributes and markets prescription eyeglass frames and sunglasses. The Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution segment makes house brands, such as Ray-Ban, Persol and Vogue. It also provides designer lines, such as Chanel, Prada and Versace. The Retail Distribution segment runs a network of some 5,800 outlets, selling frames, sunglasses, watches and accessories. The stores are distributed throughout North America, Asia and Europe. The firm operates LensCrafters and Pearl Vision, the two leading North American retail optical chains, and Sunglass Hut, the leading North American sun specialty retailer.

Eric Buscemi reported some "shady" news from the world of fashion earlier today, as Italian company Luxottica Group SpA (NYSE: LUX) has made a $2.1 billion bid for U.S. sunglasses manufacturer Oakley (NYSE: OO).

Luxottica already has the Prada and Ray-Ban brands under its umbrella, so adding OO, which offers an upscale line of high-performance sunglasses and goggles, seems like a shrewd and sensible move. It seems as though the collective's primary "competition" these days is the man on the street ... quite literally!

Oakley is one of those brands, like Prada - or Coach (NYSE: COH) - of which poorly fashioned knock-offs are easily found lining the street corners of major cities. A little haggling, some sweet talking, and the right amount of cash can outfit a New York City or Las Vegas tourist with the cream of the fraudulent crop.

My husband's stepfather was once given a pair of Oakley sunglasses, which he thought to be genuine product until closely examining the "brand" name that read... O4kely. Whoops. You get what you pay for, and eyeglasses are more fragile - and more vital - than handbags, so those looking for quality will continue to pay for it. And in my experience (and my stepfather-in-law's), once you've had one knock-off, you're not likely to continue the ruse. The combined cache of these brands should make Luxottica quite the name to be reckoned with in the trendy eyewear industry.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

This morning, the world's largest eyewear maker, Luxottica Group SpA (NYSE: LUX), announced it would acquire U.S. sunglasses maker Oakley Inc (NYSE: OO) in an all-cash deal for around $2.1 billion, or $29.30 per share.

In what could be a "win-win situation for both companies," in the words of analysts at Morgan Keegan, Luxottica said the combination could offer an opportunity to create new eyewear categories and "enhanced economies of scale." Indeed, an Oakley acquisition should complement Luxottica, which owns the RayBan, Chanel, Prada and Versace lines, and help it transition into the sporting goods sector. Conversely, Oakley, which has been cutting back on its other lines that include footwear and apparel to focus more on its eyewear offerings, should fit Luxottica like a glove.

UBS analyst Laura Leonardelli believes an acquisition of Oakley would increase Lux's sales by around 12% in 2008. Additionally, it would allow Luxottica to further solidify its presence in the U.S. and other markets.

After the announcement, shares of Oakley were up 12% and Luxottica traded around 8% higher, signalling that investors agreed this was a good deal for all involved. The deal has been approved by both company boards and is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2007.

Oakley (NYSE: OO) volatility and volume elevated prior to anticipated LUX deal. Luxottica Group SpA (NYSE: LUX), the world's largest manufacturer of eyewear, agreed to buy OO for $2.03 billion. I reported uncharacteristic OO activity on 5/31/07 and 6/6/07. OO option volume was heavy on 6/20/07. OO July option implied volatility of 43 was above its 26-week average of 35 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Morningstar (NASDAQ: MORN) option implied volatility Stable. MORN, a provider of independent investment research, closed at $47.57. MORN's 2007 Morningstar Investment Conference will feature leading mutual fund managers and industry leaders-discussing current topics and industry issues beginning June 27th in Chicago. MORN over all option implied volatility of 30 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting standard deviation price risks.

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

Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX)

Amazing. Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN), that big online retailer, sees the flix for the net. The shares keep rising for the online DVD rental company-up about 15%, highest since January-- even if their discs do come a little scratched. More than that though is while new subscribers are coming on; it's not exactly going gangbusters. Still, 6.8M is a whole lot of subscribers. Will Amazon, or someone else, overpay?

Rackable Systems Inc (NASDAQ: RACK)

Which came first: The ongoing takeover rumors or the higher stock price? Or was it that Dell Inc (NASDAQ: DELL) is said to be after Rackable, a provider of servers and storage products for high density data center deployments. Rack it up.

Feldman Mall Properties Inc (NYSE: FMP)

Word is that this real estate investment trust will look for a sale, combo or merger. They said the venerable firm of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. will help them "explore strategic alternatives." Then the stock went up.

STILL FLYING AROUND

Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc (NASDAQ: TRMP)

Dennis Gomes, whose name surfaced in March, is a one time gaming exec and regulator. He's signed a confidentiality agreement to have a look see at the firm's Atlantic City casinos. Separately, Las Vegas' Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) has also been mentioned as a possible contender.

YRC Worldwide Inc (NASDAQ: YRCW)

The CEO of this Kansas-based transportation service provider has been quoted as saying that a takeover is possible. An LBO is likely. This week the shares have actively been trading up.

Dollar Tree Stores Inc (NASDAQ: DLTR)

Imagine a dollar tree where the stock keeps going up, up, up. Well, here it is, once again, a subject of takeover talk.

BUZZ

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X): Russia's Severstal may be prowling around...Plains Exploration & Production Company (NYSE: PXP): Takeover candidate's stock is sharply higher... Micron Technology Inc (NYSE: MU): Blackstone has interest...Ameristar Casinos Inc (NASDAQ: ASCA): A hot stock and takeover rumors abound...Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA): Remains an LBO candidate...The First Marblehead Corporation (NYSE: FMD): The student loan business is booming and earnings growth is strong, but who would buy it?...Marriott International Inc (NYSE: MAR): A target? But where's the movement?...Oakley Inc (NYSE: OO) as a target has been around and around, and now some say it will be bought by Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX).

Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) -- call volume aggressive on takeover speculation.
NFLX, a provider of DVD movie rentals, is recently up $0.34 to $21.70. NFLX was frequently mentioned as an M&A candidate in 2006. NFLX call option volume of 10,988 contracts compares to put volume of 290 contracts. NFLX June 22.5 calls are bid .55 cents above its theoretical value of .26 cents. NFLX July option implied volatility of 38 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price risk.

Oakley Inc. (NYSE: OO) -- volatility suggests catalysts as OO trades near 68-month high.
OO is recently at $25.01. Morgan Keegan says: "Last week an Italian daily, la Repubblica, reported Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX) could acquire OO. Last night, OO amended its 1Q:04 severance agreement accelerating vesting on a change in control. Further, covered employees will now be paid out 100% of the pro rated amount rather than 50%. This is usually a tell-tale sign that a company is at least exploring a sale. We point out Jim Jannard owns 64.1% of the share outstanding." OO July option implied volatility of 37 is above its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price fluctuations.

Option volume leaders today are: Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) and General Motors (NYSE: GM).

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

It's unusual for a product to offer high performance, high fashion and safety, all at once. There is an eyewear outfit in Foothill Ranch, California that manages the trifecta.

Oakley, Inc. (NYSE: OO) makes high-performance goggles and sunglasses for the sports and fashion sunglasses markets. The firm's brand portfolio includes the Dragon, Eye Safety Systems, Fox Racing, Mosley Tribes, Oliver Peoples, and Paul Smith Spectacles lines. Beyond its wholesale operations, Oakley operates about 220 of its own retail shops, including Oakley Stores, The Optical Shop of Aspen, and Sunglass Icon. The company also offers a wide selection of Oakley-branded apparel, footwear, watches and accessories. Competitors include Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX) and Nike (NYSE: NKE).

Oakley pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported Q1 EPS of eight cents and revenues of $199.2 million. Analysts had been looking for three cents and $182.7 million. Management also guided FY07 EPS to 95-98 cents, versus Street consensus of 96 cents. The CEO attributed the good quarter to growth of its retail endeavor, contributions from acquisitions and the successful implementation of process changes that allowed earlier shipment of the spring 2007 product. The stock popped on the news and then passed into a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Brokers recommend the issue with one "strong buy," one "buy" and eight "holds." Analysts see a 19% growth rate, through the next year. The OO Price to Sales ratio (2.09), Sales Growth rate (31.29%) and EPS Growth rate (100.00%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages.

Institutional investors hold about 36% of the outstanding shares. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between $14.86 and $25.50. A stop-loss of $21.25 looks good here.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Forest Laboratories Inc (FRX), The St. Joe Co (JOE) and Tyco Int'l Ltd (TYC) topped today's list of downgrades:

• Following the withdrawal of Orapem, Forest Laboratories Inc (NYSE: FRX) was downgraded to Sell from Hold at Citigroup, with a $47 target, given the company's dependence on two products and early stage pipeline.

• The St. Joe Co (NYSE: JOE) was downgraded to Underperform from Market Perform at Wachovia, citing valuation and secondary-home sale activity which continues to pressure steady primary-home activity in core markets; BB&T also downgraded St. Joe, to Hold from Buy on valuation.

• Deutsche Bank downgraded Tyco Int'l Ltd (NYSE: TYC) to Hold from Buy on valuation with a $33 target, as they find shares fairly valued heading into the separation.

OTHER DOWNGRADES:

• Bank of America downgraded Alltel Corp (NYSE: AT) to Neutral from Buy on valuation and lowered its target to $58 from $66.

• UBS downgraded Sohu.com Inc (NASDAQ: SOHU) to Neutral from Buy, with a $28 target, following second-quarter results. Lehman Brothers downgraded Sohu.com to Equal Weight from Overweight on the news.

• Merrill Lynch downgraded Centerne Corp (NYSE: CNC) to Sell from Neutral.

• Merrill also downgraded Ingersoll-Rand Co Ltd (NYSE: IR) to Neutral from Buy, citing weakness in the residential market and execution uncertainty for the downgrade.

• Bank of America downgraded Post Properties Inc (NYSE: PPS) to Sell from Hold following the company's Q4 report and guidance.

• BB&T downgraded Oakley Inc (NYSE: OO) to Hold from Buy on valuation.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).