Microsoft Puts Jump; Stocks End Mixed
Stocks turned in a mixed performance Monday, with the Nasdaq dipping by 0.8%,
the Dow gaining 0.5%, and the S&P 500 finishing flat. Chemicals and biotechs
were the day’s top sectors while oil services and
semiconductors were the weakest.
At the close, the VIX had decreased 1.40 to 29.50.
The OEX 730 calls ended down 2 1/8 to 7 1/4.
Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:
Microsoft
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MSFT |
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PowerRating) sank 3 3/8 to 50 3/8 ahead of its earnings announcement
on Wednesday. The Microsoft November 55 puts rose 2 1/8 to 6 3/8 on more than
7500 contracts.Â
Nortel Networks
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PowerRating) showed strength on renewed interest in the wireless
arena as it added 2 to 67 7/16. The Nortel October 60 calls rose 1 1/8 to 8 1/4
on triple the average volume.
B2B PurchasePro
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PowerRating) added to early gains and finished up 9 11/16 to
44 3/4 following an upgrade from
Prudential. The PurchasePro November 50 calls gained 3 1/8 to 3 7/8 on more than
2500 contracts.
Texaco
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TX |
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PowerRating) rose 3 7/8 to 59 after its board approved the Chevron buyout
offer. Texaco’s October 55 calls rose 2 1/2 to 4 on more than 2500 contracts.