XICO Xicor (MM)

MORNING UPDATE: Man Securities Issues Alerts for AMCC, XICO, PDLI, VISG, and CTAS CHICAGO, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Man Securities issues the following Morning Update at 8:30 AM EST with new PriceWatch Alerts for key stocks. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020214/MANSECLOGO ) Before the open... PriceWatch Alerts for AMCC, XICO, PDLI, VISG, and CTAS, Market Overview, Today's Economic Calendar, and the Quote Of The Day. QUOTE OF THE DAY "Retail sales rebounded this past week, due in part to a pickup in federal tax refund monies." -- Michael Niemira, chief economist, International Council of Shopping Centers New PriceWatch Alerts for AMCC, XICO, PDLI, VISG, and CTAS... PRICEWATCH ALERTS - HIGH RETURN COVERED CALL OPTIONS -- Applied Micro Circuits Corp. (NASDAQ:AMCC) Last Price 5.61 - MAY 5.00 CALL OPTION@ $0.95 -> 7.3 % Return assigned* -- Xicor Inc. (NASDAQ:XICO) Last Price 14.92 - JUL 15.00 CALL OPTION@ $0.80 -> 6.2 % Return assigned* -- Protein Design Labs Inc. (NASDAQ:PDLI) Last Price 24.21 - APR 25.00 CALL OPTION@ $1.00 -> 7.7 % Return assigned* -- Viisage Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:VISG) Last Price 6.68 - JUL 5.00 CALL OPTION@ $1.95 -> 5.7 % Return assigned* -- Cintas Corp. (NASDAQ:CTAS) Last Price 40.72 - MAY 40.00 CALL OPTION@ $2.45 -> 4.5 % Return assigned* * To learn more about how to use these alerts and for our FREE report, "The 18 Warning Signs That Tell You When To Dump A Stock", go to: http://www.investorsobserver.com/mu18 (Note: You may need to copy the link above into your browser then press the [ENTER] key) ** For the FREE report, "The Secrets of Smart Election Year Investing - Insights, Stocks, And Strategies." go to: http://www.investorsobserver.com/FREEelection NOTE: All stocks and options shown are examples only. These are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. MARKET OVERVIEW Overseas markets still appear a bit tattered with eight of the 15 markets that we track currently positive. The cumulative average return on the group stands at a positive 0.010 percent. The rate of inflation in the United Kingdom in February continued to fall away from the Bank of England's ceiling target of two percent. The Consumer Price index came in at plus 0.3 percent on the month and plus 1.3 percent on a year-over-year basis, matching expectations on both counts. Turning toward Germany, a key sentiment indicator based upon the view of economist, the Zentrum fuer Europaeische Wirtschaftsforschung's (ZEW) economic expectations index dropped by more than 12 points to 57.6 from 69.9 in February. The report was also below expectations of 65.0. Fueling the decline in sentiment seemed to be the disappointing U.S. employment figures, which fanned fears that the U.S. recovery might not be sustainable. This is the third consecutive decline in the index, but readings remain quite high by historical standards. The March ZEW index was above the cyclical low of 0.6 point in December 2002 and exceeded the historical average of 34 points. A number above zero indicates that more analysts are optimistic than pessimistic on the economic outlook. Europe's largest economy is poised to grow between 1.5 percent and 2.0 percent in 2004, after contracting for the first time in a decade in 2003. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is not the only item on today's agenda, but the other items pale in comparison as to their ability to move the market. Before the market open, the two weekly reports on the well-being of the retail sector are due for release. The ICS-UBS Store Sales Index for the week ending March 6 declined by 0.3 percent, while the Redbook Retail Sales Index for the same period declined by 0.7 percent. The S&P Retail Index peakedbefore these reports were last released, as it is currently some 4.8 percent beneath its March 5 high of 403.50. Irrespective, the sector has held up a tad better than the broad market as represented by the SPX. At 8:30 a.m., February Housing Starts are seen rising by 1.0 percent following January's surprise 7.9 percent decline to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.903 million. January's decline was the first fall off since August and was accompanied by a 2.8 percent decline in building permits. This figure is supposed to be an indicator of future activity. At 9:00 a.m., the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on interest rates is scheduled to get underway. At 2:15 p.m., the FOMC interest rate decision and policy statement are expected to be released. Currently the market sees no chance of a rate change, so it will all boil down to how carefully and with what intent the group chooses to express its policy statement. As always, watch that first "tick" accompanying the FOMC release, the market has a habit of telegraphing its opinion in that first blink of an eye. Be prepared for the investing week ahead with Bernie Schaeffer's FREE Monday Morning Outlook. For more details and to sign up, go to: http://www.investorsobserver.com/freemo DYNAMIC MARKET OPPORTUNITIES Last week's bombings in Madrid may have cost the U.S. a major ally. Fears that Al-Qaeda was behind the attacks helped Spain's Socialists surprisingly win the election over the ruling conservatives. The new Prime Minister-elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has already threatened to remove Spanish troops by July. This isn't good for the Administration. For terrorists, this sends a signal that it's possible to severely damage a ruling party that acts tough on terrorism, and get what they want by bombing the country. With the U.S. general election in November, the chances of a terrorist hit Stateside may have just risen considerably. That doesn't bode well for the already floundering U.S. dollar or the markets. So with the bears roaming, consider the advice of financial advisors, who suggest investing about 15% of your portfolio in offshore markets. The thinking is that a bull market always exists somewhere in the world. Country funds are a good option. Though returns can vary, over time they are very attractive investments. Red Zone investors have already been making money this way for some time. Investment director Christian DeHaemer has led traders to profits with plays like the Malaysia Fund and India Fund. Other countries to consider include Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Russia. Russian stocks have risen about 18% this year already, and the ING Russian Fund has an amazing return of over 800% over the past five years. Receive incisive economic/market commentary, profitable advice and access to a network of leading investment exports. Simply follow this link: http://www.investorsobserver.com/agora2 TODAY'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR 7:45 a.m.: ICS-UBS Store Sales Index for the week endingMarch 13 (last minus 0.3 percent). 8:30 a.m.: February Housing Starts (last minus 7.9 percent). 8:55 a.m.: Redbook Retail Sales Index for the week ending March 13 (last minus 0.7 percent). 9:00 a.m.: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on interest rates begins. 2:15 p.m.: FOMC interest rate decision and policy statement expected. 6:30 p.m.: ABC/Money Magazine Consumer Confidence Index (last minus 18). FYI: Illinois primary. Man Financial Inc is one of the world's major futures and options brokers and has been recognized as a leading option order execution firm for individuals and institutions. Member CBOE/NASD/SIPC (CRD#6731). For more information and a free CD with educational tools to help you invest smarter, see http://www.investorsobserver.com/mancd This Morning Update was prepared with data and information provided by: InvestorsObserver.com -- Better Strategies for Making Money -> For Investors With a Sense of Humor. Only $1 for your first month plus seven free bonuses worth over $420, see: http://www.investorsobserver.com/must 247profits.com: You'll get exclusive financial commentary, access to a global network of experts and undiscovered stock alerts. Register NOW for the FREE 247profits e-Dispatch. Go to: http://www.investorsobserver.com/agora Schaeffer's Investment Research -- Sign up for your FREE e-weekly, Monday Morning Outlook, Bernie Schaeffer's look ahead at the markets. Sign Up Now http://www.investorsobserver.com/freemo PowerOptionsPlus -- The Best Way To Find, Compare, Analyze, and Make Money On Options Investments. For a 14-Day FREE trial and 5 FREE bonuses go to: http://www.poweroptionsplus.com/ All stocks and options shown are examples only. These are not recommendations to buy or sell any security and they do not represent in any way a positive or negative outlook for any security. Potential returns do not take into account your trade size, brokerage commissions or taxes which will affect actual investment returns. Stocks and options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors and investing in options carries substantial risk. Prior to buying or selling options, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options available from Sharon at 800-837-6212 or at http://www.cboe.com/Resources/Intro.asp . Privacy policy available upon request. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020214/MANSECLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Man Securities CONTACT: Michael Lavelle of Man Securities, +1-800-837-6212 Web site: http://www.mansecurities.com/mu.html

Copyright