Microsoft Puts Slip; Stocks Sink
Stocks sank Friday despite a slew of encouraging economic numbers that may
help convince the Fed to do a 75 basis point rate cut. Forest and paper products
were the day’s top sector while biotechs were the weakest.
At the close, the VIX closed up 2.66 to 35.29.
Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:
Microsoft
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MSFT |
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PowerRating) was one of the few tech winners Friday, gaining 7/8 to
54 9/16. The Nicrosoft March 55 puts fell 1 3/16 to 1/2 on heavier-than-average
volume.
EMC
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PowerRating) fell 2.02 to 32.93 while the EMC March 35 calls slid .95 to .05
on more than 14,000 contracts.
Merrill Lynch
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PowerRating) eased .71 to 54.80 while the Merrill Lynch March 50
calls slipped 1.20 to 4.80 on heavier-than-average volume.