AMAT Calls Rise; Market Mixed
Chip stocks are giving the Nasdaq a boost Wednesday while the Dow and S&P
500 are sagging. Semiconductors are the day’s top sector while
telecommunications stocks are the weakest.
At mid-day, the VIX is up .37 to 24.38.
The OEX February 700 calls are down .70 to .30.
Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:
Applied Materials
(
AMAT |
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PowerRating) is leading the semis with a gain of 5 to 46 1/4
following some upgrades on the stock. The AMAT February 45 calls are up 1 5/16
to 2 1/16 on more than 1800 contracts.
OMC Sierra
(
PMCS |
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PowerRating) is up 2 to 54 9/16 while the PMC Sierra February 50
calls are up 4 to 5 1/4 on more than triple their average volume.
ONI Systems
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ONIS |
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PowerRating) has jumped 3 7/8 to 44 3/4 while the OINIS February
45 calls are up 1 5/16 to 2 on more than 1500 contracts.
In the recently whacked telecom sector, WorldCom
(
WCOM |
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PowerRating) is down 7/8 to
17 5/8 while the WCOM February 20 puts are up 1 to 2 1/2 on more than 8000
contracts.