Friday, October 9, 2009

MFA Option Activity

clipped from seekingalpha.com

MFA Financial Inc. (MFA) – Self-advised REIT business, MFA Inc. attracted a sizeable option trade during this morning. The share price of this company, which dabbles in hybrid and adjustable rate mortgages, is lower by 1.1% at $7.96 today. One investor made a 20,000 lot option play using in-the-money call options set to expire in 12 days time. We can see a large chunk of stock trading at the same time, but can’t tell what this investor’s motivation is. The calls changed hands at 45 cents and represent three-times the current open interest in all options on this company’s shares, just to give you a sense of the magnitude of today’s activity. We are left guessing that the investor behind today’s trade is a bull and looking to lock in to buying rights on this company in the expectation they will remain in-the-money when it comes to expiration.

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Retail Ahead

clipped from finance.yahoo.com

Will U.S. Consumers Bite This Holiday Shopping Season?

  • Technology. Gadgets and technology have emerged as the new fashion accessory, whether it's the latest mobile phone, music device or laptop. "I think you'll see new accessories to that one game you got last year," she says.  The trend should continue to benefit Apple, Bentz believes.
  • Discounters still rule. Expect this trend to continue this holiday season, with heavyweights such as Wal-Mart and Target dominating in the discount space.
  • The focus now shifts to the all-important holiday shopping season. "A lot of spare and thoughtful shopping will be back," warns Bentz, a former retail and consumer analyst for Lehman Brothers.

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