Today’s tickers: MON, HPQ, WFC, MYGN, QCOM, XLI, C, WFR, DRYS, FXI, AMD & RMBS

MON Monsanto Company – The St. Louis-based provider of herbicides, seeds, and related biotechnology trait products used to improve farming productivity, experienced a 1.5% decrease in shares to $82.13. Despite the slight decline, a report from Standard & Poor’s this morning noted that the agriculture sector experienced its strongest year in 2008, and further, that “seed and agriculture technology companies stand to benefit” from the health of the farm economy. Monsanto was highlighted for its solid research and development efforts and its promising estimates for earnings through 2012. However, one analyst did report that shares are “fairly valued” at $84.00, prompting a ‘hold’ recommendation. MON popped onto our market scanners after one investor initiated a bull call spread in the May contract. The purchase of 7,500 calls at the 95 strike price for 2.30 was spread against the sale of 7,500 calls at the 105 strike for 55 cents apiece. The net cost of this strategy amounts to 1.75 and yields a maximum potential profit of 8.25 if shares can rally upwards to $105 by expiration. Shares would need to grow by 28% in the next 2 months in order for this optimist to succeed in capturing the maximum profit of 8.25 by expiration day.

HPQ Hewlett-Packard Co. – In contrast to the call-selling witnessed yesterday in the options world, today investors were keen on purchasing calls in the November contract as shares of HPQ rally 1% to $30.95. The world’s largest personal-computer maker received an “outperform” rating by RBC Capital Markets due to the company’s, “diverse revenue portfolio, recurring book of business, stronger margin profile and solid management team,” according to one report released today. While most of the activity occurred in the November contract, one investor was seen banking profits on the sale of 3,000 calls at the in-the-money April 27.5 strike price for a premium of 4.00. Moving ahead 7 months, investors splurged on 2,000 November 32.5 calls for 4.40 apiece. Meanwhile, 5,500 calls were purchased at the 35 strike price for 3.40 at the same time that 6,500 calls were picked up for 2.50 at the 37.5 strike price. Finally, the most optimistic traders looked to the November 40 strike where some 2,400 calls were coveted for a premium of 1.80 per contract. Investors are clearly hoping for HPQ to live up to its…
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