Motorola Calls Lift; Nasdaq Rises

Internets and semiconductors led the Nasdaq 1.8% higher Thursday just a day
ahead of some key inflation data. The
Dow and S&P 500 finished slightly higher.

By the close, the VIX had decreased .37 to 22.71.

The OEX July 810 calls ended the day up 3/4 to 9.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:

Motorola
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jumped 2 7/8 to 39 1/8 after meeting analyst expectations
with the company’s second quarter earnings. The Motorola July 35 calls rose 2
1/8 to 4 1/4 on more than 14,000 contracts.

JDS Uniphase
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gained 5 3/8 to 105 1/2 to help power the Nasdaq
tech rally. The JDSU July 100 calls added 3 1/8 to 7 3/8 on more than 10,000
contracts.

Commerce One
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rose 8 1/16 to 59 15/16 as B2Bs show renewed signs
of life following Ariba’s stronger-than-expected earnings report. The Commerce
One July 65 calls rose 2 1/8 to 2 1/2 on 10 times the average volume. 

WorldCom
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lifted 3 7/16 to 47 15/16 while the WorldCom July 45
calls gained 2 11/16 to 3 5/8 on triple the average volume.

Looking ahead, the Producer Price Index numbers will be released at 8:30 AM
ET on Friday and should offer more clues as to the inflationary pressures, or
lack thereof, in the economy.