AMCC Puts Jump; Stocks Ratchet Up

Stocks are higher across the board Tuesday and the Dow has even managed to
move back above the psychological 11,000 level. Biotechs are the day’s top
sector while gold and silver is the weakest.

At mid-day, the VIX is down .60 to 23.79.

The OEX February 710 calls are up .30 to 11.90.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:

Applied Micro Circuits
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is off 7 3/4 to 56 5/8 following some
negative comments from management. The AMCC February 70 puts are up 5 1/8 to 13
7/8 on more than 10,000 contracts.

Sonus
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has gained 2 3/4 to 44 1/2 while the Sonus February 45
calls have gained 1 7/16 to 2 1/2 on heavier-than-average volume.

Micron
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has added 1.39 to 39.67 to help the chip sector. The Micron
February 40 calls have gained .70 to 2.40 on more than 5000 contracts.

Microsoft
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has gained  7/8 to 62 13/16 while the Microsoft
February 60 calls have lifted 3/4 to 3 3/4 on more than 3500 contracts.