Home Depot Calls Rise; Stocks Rally

Stocks moved higher on a broad-based rally following an existing home sales
report that showed an annual rate of 4.65 million homes sold, which was less
than the 5 million analysts expected. Biotechs were the day’s top sector while
semiconductors were the weakest.

At the close, the VIX was down 3.00 to 27.34.

The OEX March 670 calls rose 3.30 to 8.60.

Home Depot
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was the big Dow winner, gaining 3.74 to 43.75 while the
Home Depot March 45 calls added .90 to 1.40 on more than 18,000 contracts.

Microsoft
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added 2 13/16 as began its battle to overturn its
antitrust ruling. The MSFT March 55 calls ended up 1 5/8 to 5 1/2 on more than
13,000 contracts.

Biotechs are bounced, and that helped HGSI
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gain 7 to 55 13/16.
The HGSI March 60 calls added 2 3/8 to 3 3/4 on quadruple average volume.

Brocade
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jumped 2 15/16 to 48 5/8 while the Brocade March 45 calls
gained 1 3/4 to 6 on more than 6000 contracts.