VRTSE Veritas Software (MM)

MORNING UPDATE: Man Securities Issues Alerts for NXTL, VRTSE, ALL, ANF, and BAX CHICAGO, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Man Securities issues the following Morning Update at 8:30 AM EDT with new PriceWatch Alerts for key stocks. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020214/MANSECLOGO ) Before the open... PriceWatch Alerts for NXTL, VRTSE, ALL, ANF, and BAX, Market Overview, Today's Economic Calendar, and the Quote Of The Day. QUOTE OF THE DAY "My confidence remains solid and is improving." -- John Chambers, Chief Executive, Cisco Systems Inc. New PriceWatch Alerts for NXTL, VRTSE, ALL, ANF, and BAX... PRICEWATCH ALERTS - HIGH RETURN COVERED CALL OPTIONS -- Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL) Last Price 24.35 - AUG 22.50 CALL OPTION@ $2.90 -> 4.9 % Return assigned* -- VERITAS Software Corp. (NASDAQ:VRTSE) Last Price 26.44 - AUG 25.00 CALL OPTION@ $3.40 -> 8.5 % Return assigned* -- Allstate Corp. (NYSE:ALL) Last Price 44.20 - JUL 45.00 CALL OPTION@ $1.00 -> 4.2 % Return assigned* -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF) Last Price 33.90 - AUG 32.50 CALL OPTION@ $3.30 -> 6.2 % Return assigned* -- Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) Last Price 31.64 - AUG 30.00 CALL OPTION@ $2.80 -> 4 % 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 appear back in the dumps as just five of the 15 markets that we track are currently positive. The cumulative average return on the group was held in check at a negative 0.044 percent thanks to a 2.26 percent surge in the Nikkei overnight. The index actually gapped higher in a broad based rally as traders bid up issues ranging from Nippon Steel (plus 4.2 percent) to Casio Computer (plus 17.7 percent). Germany's annual inflation rate rose to its highest level in more than a year in April, thanks to sharp advances in oil prices and higher prices for healthcare. Consumer prices rose 0.3 percent in April matching the 0.3 percent rise in March. On a year-over- year basis, consumer prices rose by 1.6 percent in April, following a 1.1 percent rise in March. Annual inflation hit its highest level since March 2002, when it stood at 2.0 percent, as oil prices were 2.9 percent higher on the year. Bright and early this morning, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Refinancing Index for the week ending May 8 is scheduled for release. Recall that the report for the week ending May 1 broke a five week losing streak with its 4.7 percent rise. The early morning release showed that the MBA refinancing index once again declined, this time by 13.2 percent. The purchase index did rise by 2.4 percent as the backdrop of rising interest rates is pushing some off the fence before rates can climb much higher. The MBA market index declined by five percent during the week. At 8:30 a.m., April Import Prices are expected to have moderated a bit from the 0.9 percent jump in March. Analysts are looking for a 0.4 percent increase in April. This indicator on the demand for foreign goods and services by U.S. consumers can also be viewed as an indicator on the potential for inflation. Sharing the same time slot, the March International Trade Balance is seen coming in ever so slightly at $42.08 million versus the $42.09 billion shortfall posted last month. If you are holding any stock or options positions on Yahoo!, be aware that the stock is trading at a post two-for-one split. Stocks traders now have twice as many shares at half the pre-split price, while options traders have twice as many options contracts at one-half the pre-split price and strike. Check with your broker if you have further concerns. 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 The issue is the butt of many cheap jokes for comedians and talk shows hosts, but it's really no laughing matter. Not when the trend costs Americans $117 billion each year in healthcare expenses. The United States is fast becoming a land of dangerously overweight people. In 2000, poor diet and obesity is said to have contributed directly to around 400,000 deaths -- more than 16% of all deaths that year. That's pretty disturbing. Today, approximately 127 million American adults are overweight. 60% of them are classed as "obese". Nine million are "severely obese". As part of a federal anti-obesity program, the National Institute of Health received $400 million in fiscal 2004 to battle this problem -- up 5.6% from $378.6 million in fiscal 2003. But projections call for the figure to increase another 10% to $440 million as soon as 2005. A healthy diet and active lifestyle will likely enable you to live longer. But as the fight to trim America's bulging waistline gains momentum, the companies tackling obesity could make investors live happier and wealthier too. Taipan's Red Zone group believes it has spotted a prime candidate in Regeneron -- a biotech whose drugs combat many medical conditions, including obesity. Its Axokine drug is currently undergoing Phase III trials, and if granted full Food & Drug Administration approval, promises to be a major boost to both the industry and company. The Red Zone team has written a comprehensive report on America's growing obesity problem -- and identified several ways for you to profit from companies aiming to solve it. To find out more, simply follow this link to access the FREE REPORT: http://www.investorsobserver.com/agora9 TODAY'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR 7:00 a.m.: MBA Refinancing Index for the week ending May 8 (last plus 4.7 percent). 8:30 a.m.: April Import Prices (last plus 0.9 percent). 8:30 a.m.: March International Trade Balance (last $42.09 billion deficit). 2:00 p.m.: April Treasury Budget. 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

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