McDonalds Puts Jump; Market Mixed

A tame inflation report helped keep the Nasdaq in the green Friday, but
weakness in retailers and banks sent the Dow and S&P 500 into the red. The
Nasdaq finished 1.3% higher while the Dow and S&P 500 were down about a half
of a percent each.

At the close, the VIX had decreased .52 to 25.19.

The OEX 795 calls finished off 4 1/4 to 3 5/8.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:

McDonalds
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was the weakest Dow component, falling 1 15/16 or 5% to
33 1/2. The McDonalds June 35 puts gained 1 1/4 to 2 on five times the average
volume.

Also weak in the Dow was Wal-Mart, which fell 2 7/8 to 54 on the weakness in
the retail sector. The Wal-Mart July 55 puts rose 1 7/16 to 4 on more than
10,000 contracts.

MicroStrategy
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was one of the day’s big tech gainers, rising 18
1/8 to 62 1/2. The MicoStrategy June 50 calls jumped 11 5/8 to 15 1/8 on
heavier-than-average volume.

In the red hot genomics group, Human Genome Sciences
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rose 22 to
139 9/16 while the HGSI 135 calls soared 8 3/8 to 10 1/2 on heavier-than average
volume.

Looking ahead, the next big economic numbers due out are May’s retail sales
on Tuesday and the Consumer Price Index on Wednesday.