Xilinx Puts Jump; Nasdaq Falls

The Nasdaq has taken a 1.8% tumble Tuesday spurred on to a degree by
downgrades of Xilinx
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and Altera
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. Oil services and
integrated oils are the day’s top sectors while semiconductors are the weakest.

At mid-day, the VIX is up .46 to 26.74.

The OEX October 750 puts are up 3/8 to 15.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:

Xilinx
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is down 24 to 55 1/8 following an analyst downgrade. The
XLNX October 75 puts have jumped 15 1/2 to 18 7/8 on quadruple the average
volume.

Merrill Lynch
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is off 2 5/16 to 57 as broker/dealers see weakness.
The Merrill Lynch October 55 puts are up 3/8 to 1 7/8 on more than 5000
contracts.

Nokia
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is down 2 9/16 to 34 7/16 while the Nokia October 40 puts are
up 2 1/4 to 5 7/8 on more than 10,000 contracts.

PMC Sierra
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is down 20 to 170 1/16 while the PMCS October 200
calls have plunged 6 1/4 to 3 1/2 on double the average volume.