Sycamore Puts Fall; Stocks Edge Higher

Stocks ended Wednesday slightly higher following word that the Fed
would not cut rates and would also keep a neutral bias toward inflation. Oil
services were the day’s top sector, and banks were the weakest.

By the close, the VIX had decreased 1.24 to 29.00.

The OEX November 740 calls ended the day down 2 to 3.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:

Sycamore
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gained 4 to 68 7/16 after topping earnings estimates.
The Sycamore November 65 puts fell 3 9/16 to 1 7/8 on more than 8000 contracts.

Bank of America
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finished down 3 7/8 to 42 on credit worries. The
BAC November 45 puts jumped 2 1/2 to 3 3/8 on triple the average volume.

Qualcomm
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rose 3 13/16 to 84 3/16 while the Qualcomm December 75
calls rose 2 1/2 to 12 3/4 on more than 8000 contracts.

Applied Materials
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gained 1 5/16 to 42 3/4 while the AMAT November
45 calls rose 5/8 to 1 13/16 on more than 11,000 contracts.