Genworth Financial (GNW - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company reported Q4 2010 results this morning before the opening bell, posting a total loss of $161 million, or 33 cents a share. Adjusted EPS was $-0.28 while analysts' expected earnings of $0.16. Genworth also said a split of the company was unlikely at this time and that the company is probably 2-3 years away from a renewal of dividends. 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 GNW.

This morning, GNW opened at $12.84. So far today the stock has hit a high of $13.28 and a low of $12.30. As of 12:20, GNW is trading at $12.35, down $1.59 (-11.4%). The chart for GNW looks bullish and S&P gives GNW a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Reynolds American (RAI - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced several pieces of news this morning. RAI said its board has approved a 2-for-1 stock split as well as a 10% hike in its quarterly dividend to 49 cents per share from 45 cents per share on a split-adjusted basis. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on RAI.

RAI opened this morning at $60.63. So far today the stock has hit a low of $60.60 and a high of $61.82. As of 11:24, RAI is trading at $61.73 up 1.76 (2.9%), which is a huge move for this conservative, income stock. The chart for RAI looks bullish and S&P gives RAI a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

General Mills (GIS - option chain) shares are rising slightly today after the company announced a two-for-one stock split after the close of trading yesterday. The split will be effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend payable on June 8 to shareholders as of May 28. With the rest of the market in the red by more than 2% today, GIS up half a percent on this news is essentially a big upward move, and stock splits often spur positive interest in a company. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on GIS.

GIS opened this morning at $71.90. So far today the stock has hit a low of $71.11 and a high of $71.90. As of 1:30, GIS is trading at $71.76 up 0.29 (0.4%). The chart for GIS looks bullish and S&P gives GIS a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

The financial world was rocked, more or less, when Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) recently announced a plan to split its B shares -- billionaire investor Warren Buffett, the company's chairman and CEO, famously refused to split the stock for years. (In fact, the A shares are still trading in six-digit territory, upwards of $100,000 apiece.)

On Monday, option players didn't hesitate to express their reservations about the stock split. During the course of the session, speculators on the International Securities Exchange (ISE) bought to open 4,736 puts on BRK.B, compared to just 2,559 calls. The single-day put/call volume ratio arrived at 1.85, with bearish bets nearly doubling their bullish counterparts.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) has enjoyed a stellar run higher in 2009, with the shares up 105% year-to-date.

Today, the company announced that its board has approved a three-for-two stock split in the form of a stock dividend. All shareholders of record as of May 29 will receive one additional share of GMCR common stock for every two shares currently held, with distribution scheduled for June 8.

"This stock dividend allows us to share our success with our loyal stockholders to the extent of our authorized stock and underscores our confidence in the strength of our Company and its prospects for the future," said President and CEO Larry Blanford in a statement.

It's time for the apple to split, and we're not talking fruit here. Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) sits at an all-time high, closing above $161 last Friday, and it may be that another stock split is in order. After all, 2-for-1 splits have happened before, with the most recent in 2005.

This time, it's different. Before -- in 1987, 2000 and 2005 -- Apple's shares were worth roughly $100 each. They're quite a bit above that now, right? It another 2-for-1 split already overdue? Has Apple's meteoric share price been even a surprise to the company itself, explaining the delay?

A split now would signal to the world that Apple believes it has even more room to grow. But does it? From the unrelenting excitement about its products, it most likely does, despite the fact that the company appears to be more arrogant than ever. Shh -- don't tell the market makers, though.

If a split does happen, might it be a 3-for-1? That would bring the share price into the $50 range instead of the $80 range, which is a more likely a scenario in my view. One thing is for sure -- Apple will most likely think harder and harder about splitting in some fashion as shares get within shouting distance of $200. It's headed there soon, according to my colleague Georges Yared.