Jim Cramer Blog

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 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.
American Home Mortgage June 25 Calls (NYSE:AHM). AHM's PowerRating is 2.
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.
Dow Chemical May 45 Puts (NYSE:DOW). DOW's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Dendreon May 17.5 Calls (NasdaqGM:DNDN). DNDN's PowerRating is 9.
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.
Google Inc. June 430 Puts (NasdaqGS:GOOG). GOOG'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.
None today
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.
WellCare Health Plans (NYSE:WCG). WCG's PowerRating is 7.
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.
Monster Worldwide (NasdaqGS:MNST). MNST's PowerRating is 5.
Lexmark International (NYSE:LXK) . LXK's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AHM, DNDN, DOW, GOOG, LXK, MNST, stock options, WCG

Signs that tensions were easing between Iran and Britain over captured British sailors sparked a sharp drop in crude oil prices today and helped spur a rally on Wall Street. Investors were also encouraged by a report that indicated home sales might be picking up. Trading was light, however, on a day that marks the start of Passover. The 10-year Treasury note closed lower.
The National Association of Realtors reported that pending sales of existing homes increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.7% in February compared with January. The industry group tracks signed contracts for used homes. Its index is still -8.5% below year-ago levels. In the oil markets, comments from a senior Iranian diplomat that the dispute over 15 British sailors and marines Iran says it captured trespassing in its waters would be resolved soon helped to cool a recent rise in futures prices.
Health insurers spiked today on a surprise announcement from the federal government that it would increase payments to firms operating private Medicare benefits plans by a greater amount than was expected. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said preliminary payments to companies that run Medicare Advantage programs will increase 3.5% in 2008. The market was looking for increases of between 2% and 3%. Among the shares rising today was Aetna (NYSE: AET - News). Also gaining today was Humana (NYSE: HUM - News), up 3.6%; Wellcare Healthplans (NYSE: WCG - News), which added 2.2%; and Coventry Health Care (NYSE: CVH - News), which closed 1.9% higher.
American automakers continued to fall short of efforts to post market share gains. Ford Motor (NYSE: F - News) reported a -9% drop in March vehicle sales; General Motors (NYSE: GM - News) said its sales declined -7.7%; and the Chrysler unit of DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DCX - News) reported a -4% decline. Japan's Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM - News), meanwhile, continued its assault on Detroit, posting a 12% gain in U.S. sales during the same period. Despite the advance, Toyota has not yet overtaken Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker.
Shares of Google (Nasdaq: GOOG - News) rose 3.1% after it announced a deal with EchoStar Communications (Nasdaq: DISH - News) to create a system for auctioning advertising time over EchoStar's satellite TV network. Under the deal, Google will develop an online auction system, with advertisers bidding on the amount of money they are willing to pay per thousand households watching each commercial. Google has undertaken similar efforts in the radio and newspaper ad markets.
The planned merger of the two Chicago exchanges is on hold. Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings (NYSE: CME - News) announced it was postponing an April 4th shareholder meeting to vote on its proposed acquisition of CBOT Holding (NYSE: BOT - News). CBOT previously postponed a shareholder vote on the CME bid so its board could consider a competing offer from Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE - News). ICE is reported to have submitted a bid that is as much as $1 billion more than the $8 billion CME offered for its Chicago rival.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: AET, BOT, CME, CVH, DISH, F, GM, GOOG, HUM, ICE, TM, WCG

Partner Communications (PTNR)

Composite Rating: 99*. The Israeli wireless communications services provider is trading near seven-year highs. In late January, it reported its second straight quarter of triple-digit profit growth. Sales growth has accelerated for two quarters. Volume % Change**: +186%

Garmin Ltd. (GRMN)

Composite Rating: 97. The GPS device maker is hovering near record highs after the company turned in a 105% jolt in Q4 earnings, 25 cents ahead of analysts’ views. Sales jumped 91% to $611.2 million. It also guided full-year 2007 profit ahead of consensus estimates. Volume % Change: +732%

Mechel Oao (MTL)

Composite Rating: 97. The Russia-based company has operations in coal, iron and nickel mining. It also makes steel and carbon products. The stock’s Accumulation/Distribution Rating jumped to A from C in one month. Volume % Change: +346%

Millicom International Cellular (MICC)

Composite Rating: 97. Millicom provides prepaid voice services to emerging markets such as Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Its fourth-quarter earnings vaulted 257%. Sales climbed 85% to $544 million. Last month, it agreed to sell its majority stake in Paktel Limited to China Mobile for about $284 million in cash. Volume % Change: +230%

Affiliated Managers Group (AMG)

Composite Rating: 97. The asset manager has gained about 12% since the beginning of the year, nearly doubling that of its Finance-Investment Management Group. The company’s after-tax profit margin jumped to 20.9% in its latest reported quarter, the highest in 13 quarters. Volume % Change: +162%

Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL)

Composite Rating: 97. Mutual fund ownership of the real estate and money management firm jumped to 171 funds from 127 three quarters ago. Last year, the company grew profit by 66%, the biggest annual profit growth in two years. Volume % Change: +141%

Cummins Inc. (CMI)

Composite Rating: 97. In late January, the engine maker reported Q4 profit slightly below views, but guided full-year 2007 earnings ahead of consensus estimates. Earlier this month, it formed a joint venture with a Nigerian company to make power generation systems. The stock hovers near an all-time high. Volume % Change: +112%

Deere & Co. (DE)

Composite Rating: 96. The farming machinery maker powered to a new peak after strong fiscal first-quarter results. Longbow upgraded the stock to neutral from sell. Due to rising global consumption of renewable fuels, Deere anticipates worldwide farming activities to be favorable. Volume % Change: +395%

WellCare Health Plans (WCG)

Composite Rating: 96. The managed healthcare provider’s Q4 profit vaulted 156% as membership more than doubled and surpassed analysts’ views. Its full-year earnings guidance was mostly line, but sales are expected to exceed analysts’ estimates. Volume % Change: +195%

Lamson & Sessions (LMS)

Composite Rating: 95. The maker of building products such as pipes and fittings is exploring strategic alternatives, which may include a sale of the company. It has turned in triple-digit profit growth for seven of the past eight quarters. Volume % Change: +278%

Published By IBD

Labels: AMG, CMI, DE, GRMN, JLL, LMS, MICC, MTL, PTNR, WCG