Oracle Calls Rise; Nasdaq Sinks

The Nasdaq is mired in red Thursday following earnings warnings from Gateway
and Altera. Gold and silver is the top sector of the day while semiconductors
are the weakest.

At mid-day, the VIX has increased 2.71 to 32.91.

The OEX 720 calls are down 5 1/4 to 7 3/4.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average voilume:

Oracle
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has gained 1 1/2 to 24 3/8 to buck the overall negative
Nasdaq trend. The Oracle December 20 calls are up 1 1/2 to 5 1/4 on more than
7000 contracts.

Philip Morris
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has gained 7/8 to 39 5/16 while the MO January 01 45
calls have added 3/16 to 3/4 on more than 15,000 contracts.

Storage leader EMC
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is off 2 9/16 to 70 5/8 while the EMC December
75 puts have risen 2 to 7 5/8 on more than 8000 contracts.

Apple
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has fallen 1 1/8 to 16 7/16 in sympathy with Gateway. The
Apple January 01 27 1/2 puts have gained 1 3/4 to 11 on more than 5000
contracts.