Xilinx Puts Jump; Stocks Edge Higher

Stocks are positive Monday on the heels of Friday’s impressive Nasdaq bounce.
Retailers are the day’s top sector while semiconductors are the weakest.

At mid-day, the VIX is down 1.35 to 28.23.

The OEX December 740 calls are up 1 7/8 to 8 3/4.

Among bigger movers on heavier-than-average volume:

Semiconductors are under pressure, and that is weighing on Xilinx
(
XLNX |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
,
which is off 6 13/16 to 50. The XLNX December 55 puts have jumped 3 1/2 to 7 7/8
on more than 5000 contracts.

Retailers are strong, with Wal-Mart
(
WMT |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
setting the pace with a gain of
3 11/16 to 48 7/8. The Wal-Mart December 47 1/2 calls have added 1 9/16 to 2
13/16 on heavier-than-average volume.

Intel
(
INTC |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
has risen 1 1/2 to 45 7/16 following positive comments from
a Piper Jaffray analyst. The Intel December 45 1/2 calls have gained 5/8 to 2
1/2 on more than 8000 contracts.

Broadcom
(
BRCM |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
has fallen 16 1/8 to 101, its lowest level since last
December. The Broadcom December 125 calls are down 4 3/8 to 4 on triple their
average volume.