Intel Calls Shine; Nasdaq Bounces

Weaker than expected August housing starts has helped give the Nasdaq a
bounce back from Monday’s slide. Semiconductors and insurance are the day’s top
sectors while retailers and forest and paper products are the weakest.

At mid-day, the VIX is down .30 to 22.71.

The OEX October 800 calls are up 1 1/2 to 12 1/4.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than average volume:

Intel
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is leading the Nasdaq bounce with a gain of 3 1/8 to 58
15/16. The Intel October 57 1/2 calls are up 1 3/8 to 5 on more than 1200
contracts.

Bristol Myers Squibb
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has gained 1 3/8 to 54 7/8 while the BMY
Novemeber 55 calls have risen 5/8 to 3 3/4 on more than 5000 contracts.

Qualcomm
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has added 4 3/4 to 74 9/16 while the QCOM October 45
calls have gained 3 to 8 3/4 on more than 7400 contracts.

Cobalt Networks
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is up 14 1/4 to 55 3/8 on news that Sun
Microsystems will buy the company. The Cobalt October 45 calls have added 5 5/8
to 11 1/4 on heavier-than-average volume.