Bearish Put-Spreader Paws Profits at Merck

Today’s tickers: MRK, IMMU, AET, ODP, FSLR, EEM, MFA & XLI MRK – The pharmaceutical company declared a quarterly dividend of 38 cents per share for the fourth quarter of 2009 today, amid a 3% decline in shares to arrive at the current price of $29.81. A bearish put spread established in the October contract suggests some investors are wary of further declines for the company. The spread involved the purchase of 7,400 puts at the October 31 strike price for 2.23 apiece against the sale of 7,400 puts at the lower October 29 strike for a premium of 1.28 each. The net cost of the transaction amounts to 95 cents, yielding the investor maximum potential profits of 1.05 if the stock slips to $29.00 by expiration. The current market price of MRK is currently lower than the breakeven point on the trade of $30.05. Thus, the investor responsible for the spread has already earned 24 cents by assuming a bearish stance on the stock. – Merck & Company, Inc. IMMU – Shares of the biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of products designed to treat cancer, autoimmune, and other serious diseases, have surged more than 14% to $5.24 during the trading session. Bullish movement in the stock was fueled by the news that IMMU has entered into a partnership and cross-licensing agreement with Alexis Biotech Ltd., of London, England. The firms are combining efforts in order to develop “targeted vaccines against cancers” such as melanoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as well as infectious diseases such as AIDS. Option traders hoping for continued upward movement in the price of the underlying were seen getting long of bullish call options in the September contract. The September 7.5 strike price had approximately 3,500 calls coveted for 38 cents apiece. Investors holding the calls will begin to realize profits in the event that shares climb another 50% to surpass the breakeven point at $7.88 by expiration. – Immunomedics, Inc. AET – The third-largest health insurer in the United States has enjoyed a rally in shares of more than 13% to $29.08 this afternoon after receiving an upgrade to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’ at Cowen and Company. Call options exchanged on the stock today exceeded the number of puts by a factor of more than 3-to-1, reflecting bullish sentiment by investors. The near-term August 30 strike price had more than 8,800 calls purchased for an average premium of 75 cents apiece by…