Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TM Options Indicators page and is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
TradingMarkets subscribers can obtain the full list of candidates and learn how to apply the results in actual trading by clicking on the individual links. Subscribers can also access the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page, which is based upon our latest quantitative research, and the Market Bias Indicators, to help determine short-term market direction. Futures traders can access our daily Futures Indicators lists.


Most Underpriced Calls
These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced. Goldman Sachs Oct 220.0 Calls (GS)
Most Underpriced Puts
These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.Accredited Lenders Sep 15 Puts (LEND)
Most Overpriced Calls
These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.Baidu.com Sep 230.0 Calls (BIDU)
Most Overpriced Puts
These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.Bear Stearns Sep 90.0 Puts (BSC)
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume
These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.Petoleo Brasileiro (PBR)
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume
These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB)
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume
These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.Netgear (NTGR)

Labels: BIDU, BSC, GS, IBB, LEND, PBR, stock options

When it came to Brazil, it used to be the girl from Ipanema that had people saying "Ahhh." Lately, though, it's the country's hot economy that brings on sighs of satisfaction.
Right now, iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund (AMEX:EWZ - News) reflects that. The exchange traded fund, which tracks the performance of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Brazilian Market Index, hit its all-time high of 52.28 on Monday. The 44-company fund has jumped 50% since January 2006.
Last week it was announced that iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund options will open with position limits of 25,000,000 shares. The options will trade on the March expiration cycle. The specialist will be Susquehanna Investment Group.
South America's largest market has remained mostly bullish from late September through the first quarter of 2007. The country's debt has fallen. And GDP is up.
China Play
In addition to a surge in Brazilian energy and industrial markets -- Brazil exports tons of raw materials to building-hungry China -- the Ibovespa (an index of about 50 companies that trades on Brazil's Sao Paulo exchange) hit new highs 29 times in 2006, celebrating its most recent all-time high Dec. 27.
What's fueling the growth?
Partial credit can go to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Since his election in 2003, Lula has helped boost the country's currency by 69%, begun a highly disciplined monetary policy and helped shift a trade deficit into a massive surplus.
But Brazil's current symbiosis with China also plays a hefty part. For most of 2006, Brazil was China's largest trade partner in Latin America.
It's a trend that shows no signs of slowing. When Brazilian sugar cane giant Farias announced last month that it will build new ethanol mills, Chinese investors were major backers.
Oil Prices
If energy needs remain stable, Brazil's future looks just as bright. Oil prices have been rising steadily as Middle East tensions rise, and Brazilian energy producers stand to profit strongly.
The fund's top holding, Rio de Janeiro-based Petrobras (NYSE:PBR - News), is reaping the benefits of the geopolitical situation. The company saw earnings per share climb 20% last year, from $9.13 in 2005 to $10.97 in 2006. In the last month, its low IBD Relative Strength rating jumped from a 46 to a 69.
Brazilian mining powerhouse Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (NYSE:RIO - News) has two share classes represented in the fund's top five holdings. The largest mining company in the Western Hemisphere suffered when the bottom fell out of the China market in February, but the stock hit a new all-time high of 40.49 on Monday.
Rio Doce's earnings per share jumped 27% for the year, from $1.92 in 2005 to $2.44 in 2006.
Published by Joanne Von Alroth at Investor's Business Daily

Labels: Brazil, EWZ, PBR, RIO

Most Under Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets IndexApr 120 Calls (AMEX:EEM - News). EEM's PowerRating is 6.
Most Under Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Express Scripts Apr 80 Puts (NasdaqGS:ESRX - News). ESRX's PowerRating is 3.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Indymac Bancorp Apr 30 Calls (NYSE:NDE - News). NDE's PowerRating is 6.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Petroleo Brasileiro Apr 90 Puts (NYSE:PBR - News). PBR's PowerRating is 4.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Network Appliance (NasdaqGS:NTAP - News). NTAP's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
Amgen (NasdaqGS:AMGN - News). AMGN's PowerRating is 6.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTU - News). BTU's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AMGN, BTU, EEP, ESRX, Hot Options, NDE, NTAP, PBR

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Under Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Whole Foods MarketsJan 50 Calls (NASDAQ:WFMI - News). WFMI's PowerRating is 3.
Most Under Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Petrobras S.A. Jan 95 Puts (NYSE:PBR - News). PBR's PowerRating is 5.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Southern Copper Corporation Jan 57.5 Calls (NYSE:PCU - News). PCU's PowerRating is 5.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
CBOT Holdings Jan 150 Puts (NYSE:BOT - News). BOT's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
InterOil Corporation (NYSE:IOC - News). IOC's PowerRating is 4.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggestsan extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR - News). WHR's PowerRating is 5.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Alkermes Incorporated (NASDAQ:ALKS - News). ALKS' PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ALKS, BOT, IOC, PBR, PCU, stock options, WFMI, WHR

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Under Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX - News) Jan 55.0. VRTX's PowerRating is 5.
Most Under Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Apple Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - News) Dec 90.0. AAPL's PowerRating is 4.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Petroleo Brasileiro Petrobras (NYSE:PBR - News) Jan 95.0. PBR's PowerRating is 5.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM - News) Jan 120.0. RIMM's PowerRating is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
ICOS Corp. (NASDAQ:ICOS - News). ICOS's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggestsan extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
Delta Petroleum Corp. (NASDAQ:DPTR - News). DPTR's PowerRating is 2.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Palm Inc. (NASDAQ:PALM - News). PALM's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AAPL, DPTR, ICOS, PALM, PBR, RIMM

Brazil's state-owned oil company reported a 26 percent rise in third-quarter net profit Friday, citing increased production and higher petroleum prices.
Petroleo Brasileiro SA earned 7.1 billion Brazilian reals ($3.2 billion) in the July-September period, or 1.61 reals (73 cents) per share, compared with 5.6 billion reals ($2.5 billion) or 1.28 reals (58 cents) per share in the same period a year ago.
Revenue for the quarter rose 21 percent to 43.4 billion reals ($19.7 billion) compared to 35.7 billion reals ($16.2 billion) in the third quarter of 2005.
Petroleum production rose 3.5 percent for the first nine months of 2006 compared to the same period a year ago, and was up 2 percent in the third quarter compared to the same quarter last year, Petrobras chief executive Sergio Gabrielli said.

Labels: earnings, PBR, Petrobras