Dell Puts Fall; Nasdaq Again Rallies

The Nasdaq took its cue Thursday from a batch of weaker-than expected
economic numbers and powered its way to its fourth straight positive close.
Biotechs were the top sector while retailers were the weakest.

At the close, the VIX had decreased 2.45 to 30.28.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:

Dell Computer
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jumped 1.18 to 27.92 while the Dell May 25 puts
fell .30 to 1.25 on more than 13,000 contracts.

Microsoft
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rose 2.14 to 62.18 while the MSFT May 60 puts fell 1.05
to 2.75 on more than 27,000 contracts.

In the storage arena, EMC
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remained under pressure and fell .95 to
31.26 while the EMC April 35 puts added .60 to 4.30 on more than 16,000
contracts.