A relief rally recovery is how you would describe Monday. The no-fly zone success of Libya over the weekend and the 'no more bad news' out of Japan were the two major contributors today. The US even announced that it would begin selling off the Treasury's $142 billion mortgage-backed securities portfolio.

Here were the unofficial closing bell levels today:

Dow Jones 12,036.53 +178.01 (1.50%)
S&P 500 1,298.38 +19.18 (1.50%)
Nasdaq 2,692.09 +48.42 (1.83%)

Top Analyst Upgrades/Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: How Do You Spell Relief? (T, SCHW, OXPS, C, GE, EWJ, TIF)

Closing Bell: How Do You Spell Relief? (T, SCHW, OXPS, C, GE, EWJ, TIF) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The nice thing about stock options is leverage. This is often magnified when there is a buyout, when there is usually a hefty premium.

Ironically enough, OptionsXpress (OXPS) would have been a nice options play today as the stock price is up about 15%. You see, Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) has agreed to shell out $1 billion for the company.

Continue reading Schwab Strikes a $1 Billion Deal for OptionsXpress

Schwab Strikes a $1 Billion Deal for OptionsXpress originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In December, the view from here argued that OptionsXpress Holdings Inc. (OXPS) -- first discussed on December 3, 2010, at a price of $19.03 -- was a high-risk stock capable of a wild ride. So far, OXPS hasn't disappointed.

In December 2010, the stock jumped through psychological resistance at $20, and traded above $21, only to plunge back down to as low as $13.70. The stock currently trades near $16.

Continue reading OptionsXpress: Not for Squeamish Investors

OptionsXpress: Not for Squeamish Investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: FOMC Meets Equity Unease (AMGN, BBY, BP, GXDX, OXPS, VECO)

Closing Bell: FOMC Meets Equity Unease (AMGN, BBY, BP, GXDX, OXPS, VECO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

OptionsXpress Holdings (OXPS) has been a potential play that's been on my radar screen for a considerable period, and is worth a review.

OptionsXpress provides online brokerage services for stock, mutual, fund, option, and fixed income investors.

The company's primary product is options, and with margins squeezed due to intensifying competition, the initial read was to stand-aside with OXPS.

Continue reading OptionsXpress: For High-Risk Investors Only

OptionsXpress: For High-Risk Investors Only originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• BB&T (BBT) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Janney Montgomery.
• Amylin (AMLN) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Leerink.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Morton's Restaurant (MRT) to outperform from market perform.
• Check Point (CHKP) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at HSBC.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Excel Maritime (EXM) to buy from hold.
• JinkoSolar (JKS) was upgraded to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Compellent (CML) to overweight from neutral.
• BofA/Merrill upgraded Crane (CR) to buy from neutral.
• Goldman upgraded Wisconsin Energy (WEC) to conviction buy from buy and American Electric (AEP) to buy from neutral.
• Motorola (MOT) was upgraded due to increasing carrier support by MKM Partners.
• Under Armour (UA) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Sterne Agee.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ANF, BBT, COH, GPS, JCG, KKR, MOT, OSG, UA, UBS, WEC ...

Analyst Calls: ANF, BBT, COH, GPS, JCG, KKR, MOT, OSG, UA, UBS, WEC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Piper Jaffray upgraded Edwards Lifesciences (EW) to overweight from neutral and raised its target price for shares to $77 from $53 after The New England Journal of Medicine reported the company's PARTNER Trial met primary endpoints.
• UBS upgraded Endo Pharmaceuticals (ENDP) to buy from neutral and raised its price target to $36 from $25. UBS is positive on Endo's creative strategic deals and believes the switch to Opana TRF from Opana ER will be easy. Additionally, the analyst believes pipeline expectations are very low.
• BMO Capital upgraded Nvidia (NVDA) to outperform from market perform based on expectations that share loss in the core GPU business will stop, Tegra momentum and valuation. The firm raised its price target to $16 from $9.
• FirstEnergy (FE) and Allegheny Energy (AYE) were upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Mylan (MYL) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman. Warner
• Chilcott (WCRX) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CALM, CWT, DD, DYN, ENDP, EW, MO, MOS, NVDA, OXPS, PPL ...

Analyst Calls: CALM, CWT, DD, DYN, ENDP, EW, MO, MOS, NVDA, OXPS, PPL ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Credit Suisse upgraded AT&T (T) to outperform from neutral and has a $35 target on the stock. Credit Suisse believes the impact from AT&T's loss of iPhone exclusivity will be less than expected and that the stock should benefit from its earnings growth and dividend yield.
• Goldman upgraded Freeport McMoRan (FCX) to buy from neutral and raised its price target to $94 from $79 based on improving copper fundamentals.
• Benchmark Co. upgraded Valueclick (VCLK) to vuy from hold on expectations Google Instant (GOOG) could drive marketing traffic. The firm raised its target price for Valueclick shares to $15 from $11.
• Best Buy (BBY) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Research In Motion (RIMM) was upgraded to buy from sell at Societe Generale.
• CarMax (KMX) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BBY, FCX, KMX, NUE, PRGS, RIMM, T, USG, VCLK, X ...

Analyst Calls: BBY, FCX, KMX, NUE, PRGS, RIMM, T, USG, VCLK, X ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• B. Riley upgraded Finish Line (NASDAQ: FINL) to Buy from Neutral to reflect the potential for improving trends in second half of 2009. The firm raised its target on shares to $10.50 from $9.
• Merriman upgraded OptionXpress (NASDAQ: OXPS) to Neutral from Sell following the company's better than expected Q2 results. The firm notes higher commissions per trade more than offset weak DARTs and the decline in customer additions in the quarter.
• RBC Capital upgraded Gardner Denver (NYSE: GDI) to Outperform from Sector Perform and raised its target to $34 from $28 citing the additional scale of restructuring, better tone to end-markets, and few downside catalysts. Baird upgraded Gardner Denver to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $35 from $32 based on a bottom in fundamentals and compelling valuation.
• BE Aerospace (NASDAQ: BEAV) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBR Capital.
• Shire (NASDAQ: SHPGY) was upgraded to Perform from Underperform at Oppenheimer.
• UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BA, EXEL, FINL, NTAP, UNH, WU ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BA, EXEL, FINL, NTAP, UNH, WU ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Thinkorswim (NASDAQ: SWIM) will be acquired by TD AmeriTrade (NASDAQ: AMTD). At closing, each shares of SWIM will be exchanged for $3.34 in cash and 0.3980 of an AMTD share. SWIM January 5 straddle closed at $1.00, February 5 straddle closed at $1.50. SWIM overall option implied volatility of 78 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

AMTD says it "expects the transaction to be accretive by approximately three to seven percent of fiscal 2010 GAAP earnings and 10 to 15 percent 12 months following the completed integration." AMTD January option implied volatility is at 68, February is at 73; above its 26-week average of 67 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

OptionXpress (NASDAQ: OXPS) closed at $13.32. OXPS January option implied volatility is at 64, February is at 59; near its 26-week average of according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price fluctuations.

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

Options Update: TD AmeriTrade volatility up into accretive buyout of Thinkorswim originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• JMP Securities expects OptionXpress (NASDAQ: OXPS) to continue to benefit from continued retail adoption of options and futures trading and expansion of its platform outside the U.S. Shares were assumed with an Outperform rating and $29 target.
  
• Merriman believes China Precision Steel (NASDAQ: CPSL) should be able to gain market share as it mainly competes against foreign imports and currently has a lower cost to manufacture. The firm started shares with a Buy rating.
  
• Soleil expects WMS Industries (NYSE: WMS) to do well as it benefits from market share gains and continues to boost operating efficiencies. The firm initiated shares with a Buy rating and $34 target.

• Motorola (NYSE: MOT) was initiated at Societe Generale with a Sell rating.
  
• Pacific Growth initiated Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) with a Neutral rating.
  
• Sonus Networks (NASDAQ: SONS) was started at JP Morgan with a Neutral rating.

Analyst initiations: OXPS, CPSL, WMS, MOT, CSCO, SONS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an August bull-put credit spread below the $20 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 9.9% return in just two months as long as OXPS is above $20 at August expiration. OXPS would have to fall by more than 14% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.

Continue reading OptionsXpress (OXPS) to acquire Open E Cry

OptionsXpress (OXPS) to acquire Open E Cry originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Oppenheimer upgraded Omnicare (NYSE: OCR) to Outperform from Perform citing their analysis that indicates the Rx market is stronger than expected in the LTC channel, which is largely overlooked by investors due to the legacy focus on beds. The firm expects solid Q2 results will increase confidence in the company's ability to achieve mid-point or better EPS guidance.
  
• Deutsche upgraded Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) to Buy from Hold based on favorable currency impact, international growth, and valuation.
  
• OptionXpress (NASDAQ: OXPS) was raised at Merriman to Neutral from Sell as they see little downside to risk estimates, following several rounds of cuts, and valuation.

• Fresh Del Monte (NYSE: FDP) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.
  
• JP Morgan upgraded Kellogg (NYSE: K) to Overweight from Neutral.
  
• Delta Petroleum (NASDAQ: DPTR) and St. Mary Land & Exploration (NYSE: SM) were upgraded at Merrill to Buy from Underperform.

Analyst upgrades: K, OCR, KO and OXPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) profits rose 30%, easily beating analysts' expectations.
• AMETEK Inc. (NYSE: AME) beat Q1 estimates on global strength and recent acquisitions.
• Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) easily beat Q2 expectations but offered a weak outlook.
• AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) posted strong Q1 results thanks to the popularity of the iPhone.
• Baidu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) beat earnings and saw an upgrade from Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C).
• Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM) Q1 profit soared, and it raised its guidance.
• Cymer Inc. (NASDAQ: CYMI) beat Q1 estimates and announced a share million buyback program.
• Electronic Data Systems Inc. (NYSE: EDS) posted Q1 profits on cost cutting and new contracts.
• EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC) Q1 earnings fell on on acquisition-related charges.
• Hexcel Corp. (NYSE: HXL) beat Q1 estimates on increased commercial aerospace sales.
• Huaneng Power ADS (NYSE: HNP) earnings plunged on coal prices, but the stock went higher.
• Level 3 Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) narrowed its loss on higher sales of networking services.
• McAfee Inc. (NYSE: MFE) Q1 profit plunged on product development and marketing costs.
• MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR) missed analysts' estimates for the first quarter.
• Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) beat earnings expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) profit soared in the first quarter on increase in subscriptions.
• Nintendo Co. (OTC: NTDOY) posted record results due to the popularity of the Wii system.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Microsoft, Yahoo!, Apple, Amazon, Texas Instruments and others

Earnings highlights: Microsoft, Yahoo!, Apple, Amazon, Texas Instruments and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Going into 2008, it's been an extreme experience for online brokers. There has been considerable volatility in equities, with the major averages falling an average of 10%. What's more, home prices remain depressed.

So, for a company like optionsXpress (NASDAQ: OXPS), which relies heavily on the retail investor, it's been a challenge. Yet, the company somehow keeps growing.

In Q1, profits increased 12% to $23.8 million, or $0.38 per share. Revenues were up 11% to $60.8 million.

Basically, optionsXpress continues to be effective with customer acquisition, especially with its broad tools and educational resources. It also helps that its competitors - such as E*TRADE Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: ETFC) - are suffering.

Continue reading OptionsXpress: No longer in the fast lane but still growing

OptionsXpress: No longer in the fast lane but still growing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merriman believes OptionXpress Holdings (NASDAQ: OXPS) has lost market share, and remains vulnerable on many fronts. They expect the competitive landscape will continue to intensify, pressuring margins and growth rates. The firm initiated shares with a Sell rating.
• Morgan Keegan started Supertex (NASDAQ: SUPX) with a Market Perform rating, citing lack of near-term catalysts.
• Syngenta (NYSE: SYT) was initiated with an Outperform rating at Bear, as they are positive on the company's defensive growth profile and valuation.

• HSBC initiated FedEx (NYSE: FDX) with a Neutral rating and $102 target and United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) with an Overweight rating and $86 target.
• Credit Suisse started Liberty Media (NASDAQ: LCAPA) with an Outperform rating and $140 target.

Analyst initiations: OXPS, SUPX and SYT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading INVESTools: Another holiday gift for you

INVESTools: Another holiday gift for you originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

OptionXpress Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: OXPS) -- volume & volatility Elevated on renewed buyout speculation. OXPS is recently up $0.87 to $26.47 on renewed buyout speculation. OXPS call option volume of 3,911 contracts compares to put volume of 33 contracts. OXPS August option implied volatility of 47 is above its 26-week average of 39 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Select Comfort Corp. (NASDAQ: SCSS) -- calls active on unconfirmed Tempur Pedic International Inc. (NYSE: TPX) buyout speculation. SCSS, a personalized sleep product company, is recently up $0.15 to $17.49. TPX has been frequently mentioned as interested in acquiring SCSS assets over the last three years. SCSS has a market cap of $854 million with zero long term debt. SCSS had March quarterly 2007 revenue of $216 million. TPX has a market cap of $2.4 billion. SCSS call option volume of 3,011 contracts compares to put volume of 174 contracts. SCSS August option implied volatility of 42 is above its 26-week average of 39 according to Track Data, suggesting slightly larger price fluctuations.

Option volume leaders today are: Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL).

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

Option update 7-16-07: OptionXpress volume elevated originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.