Analysts are weighing in today on drugmaker ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISIS), professional networking name LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD), and athletic apparel maker Lululemon Athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU). Here's a quick look at today's brokerage notes on ISIS, LNKD, and LULU.

• ISIS was temporarily halted this morning, after the company said Bayer bought the rights to its anti-clotting drug. The stock was last seen 3.6% higher at $60.33, and BMO and Needham expect a rally to record highs. Specifically, the firms upped their price targets to $95 and $88, respectively, and reiterated the equivalent of a "buy" rating. ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will step up to the earnings plate bright and early tomorrow, and option players have been upping the bearish ante. On the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the stock's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 0.51 stands higher than 80% of all other readings from the past year. The stock has averaged a single-session post-earnings move of 3.5% over the past eight quarters, but its near-term at-the-money straddle is pricing in a 6.5% move. On the charts, meanwhile, ISIS is just off a test of support in the $55-$56 neighborhood, which has contained the equity's pullbacks since December. 

• LNKD is still taking heat from Friday's ugly guidance, with the shares off 1.4% at $202.29. Pressuring the stock was a price-target cut to $250 from $300 at FBN Securities, and a reduction to $220 from $275 at Baird (though Argus upped its rating on the equity to "buy"). The shares have surrendered roughly 20% so far in May, bringing their 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) to 18 -- in oversold territory. However, the stock could extend its journey to seven-month lows, should more analysts abandon the bullish bandwagon. Currently, LNKD boasts 19 "buy" or better endorsements, compared to eight "holds" and just one "strong sell." Plus, the average 12-month price target of $257.49 represents a premium of 27.3% to LinkedIn Corp's current price.

• LULU, on the other hand, is flirting with a 1.4% gain at $64.46, thanks to an "outperform" initiation at RBC. In addition, the brokerage firm implemented a price target of $77 -- a neighborhood not explored since October 2013. Since bouncing off support at its 80-month moving average in October 2014, the shares of LULU have soared more than 70%. However, option traders aren't convinced, as the equity's 10-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX put/call volume ratio of 1.90 stands higher than 98% of all other readings from the past year, suggesting buyers are picking up puts over calls at a rapid-fire clip. Likewise, short interest represents more than a week's worth of pent-up buying demand, at Lululemon Athletica inc.'s average pace of trading. Should the stock extends its journey higher, a mass exodus of option bears or a short squeeze could add fuel to LULU's fire.

Three companies headed to the earnings confessional tomorrow night are nutritional supplements maker Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF), biotech concern VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS), and watch maker Fossil Group Inc (NASDAQ:FOSL). Let's see how option players are placing their bets on HLF, VVUS, and FOSL.

• HLF is up 1.3% at $42.16, even as familiar foe Bill Ackman reiterates that he's 100% confident the company's business is deteriorating. From a longer-term perspective, HLF is up roughly 12% year-to-date, but has run into a roadblock in the $45 region -- home to the stock's descending 50-week moving average. Historically, the stock has moved an average of 6.9% in the session subsequent to reporting, going back eight quarters. More recently, the security gapped lower after its last three earnings reports, averaging a loss of 15.1%. Still, option buyers are betting bullishly ahead of earnings, as the stock's 10-day call/put volume ratio on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) sits at 1.03 -- higher than 73% of all other readings from the past year. Herbalife Ltd.'s near-term at-the-money (ATM) straddle is pricing in a 10% move, though speculators are paying just a bit more for their 5/8 42-strike puts than calls.

• VVUS is trending higher along with most of its biotech peers, up 0.9% at $2.33. Still, the security remains more than 19% lower year-to-date, and just touched a 14-year low of $2.22 last week. Nevertheless, the equity sports a 10-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX call/put volume ratio of 14.36, which sits in the 69th percentile of its annual range. The stock has moved an average of 7.5% in the session after its last eight earnings releases, but its near-term ATM straddle is pricing in an 18.7% swing. Speculators are paying up for their short-term bets, too, as VIVUS, Inc.'s 30-day ATM implied volatility (IV) stands at 95% -- higher than all but 2% of readings over the past 12 months. 

• FOSL is up 0.4% at $85.36, but remains 23% lower in 2015. A handful of analysts have lowered their full-year earnings estimates for FOSL recently, citing escalating competition from the new Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) watch. On the flip side, Topeka Capital Markets today opined that "the shares have bottomed here, as investors have focused on the headwinds without much consideration for the tailwinds," including "growing strength at Skagen" and "momentum in its core Fossil brand." The stock has endured a single-session post-earnings price swing of 8.5%, on average, over the past eight quarters. The equity's near-term ATM straddle is pricing in a move of 9.5%. Near-term option players haven't been more call-heavy during the past year, as the stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) is docked at an annual low of 0.59. Meanwhile, Fossil Group Inc's 30-day ATM IV of 48.9% is higher than 97% of all other readings from the past year, and the stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 65% registers in the 79th percentile of its annual range -- both signs of relatively inflated short-term premiums.

Analysts are weighing in today on electric automaker Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), streaming video giant Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), and medical device manufacturer NuVasive, Inc. (NASDAQ:NUVA). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on TSLA, NFLX, and NUVA.

• Jefferies started coverage on TSLA with a "buy" rating and $350 price target, sending the shares 3.4% higher in pre-market trading. The brokerage firm explained its positive stance, saying, "Worries about China sales are overblown." Since touching a 2015 low of $181.40 on March 27, the equity has added 27% to finish at $230.51 yesterday. Still, put open interest outstrips call open interest among options expiring in three months or less, according to Tesla Motors Inc's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.25. Additionally, this reading is higher than 72% of all similar readings from the past year, meaning short-term speculators are more put-skewed than normal.


• NFLX is up 2.5% ahead of the open, thanks to an upgrade at BofA-Merrill Lynch, which raised its outlook to "buy" from "neutral." It's not like the shares needed a boost -- they've already added over 62% in 2015 and touched a record high of $576.13 on April 20. Still, plenty of analysts have been hesitant to upgrade the stock, despite its blistering pace up the charts. Of the 29 analysts covering Netflix, Inc., 11 still rate it a "hold" or worse. In other words, there's potential for future bullish analyst notes to give the stock a lift. Yesterday, NFLX settled at $554.90.


• Lastly, there's NUVA, which is 3.5% higher in electronic trading. The security is benefiting from first-quarter figures that beat forecasts, and also a price-target hike at BMO to $52 from $50. The equity is now set to regain ​all of its 2015 losses. This will likely make options traders happy. Over the past 50 sessions at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), over 30 NuVasive, Inc. calls have been bought to open for every put. The resultant ratio of 30.58 ranks in the 72nd percentile of its annual range, indicating option buyers have preferred calls over puts by a greater-than-usual margin in recent months. NUVA closed yesterday at at $45.66.

Stocks have taken a turn for the worse, as traders digest the latest international trade data. Meanwhile, among specific equities in focus are drugmakers Plasmatech Biopharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:PTBI) and AcelRx Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ACRX), as well as investment issue UBS Group AG (USA) (NYSE:UBS).

• PTBI is up nearly 65% in early trading, after George Soros' hedge fund unveiled a roughly 5% passive stake in the firm. Today's bull gap has put the stock into positive year-to-date territory, and at last check, PTBI was lingering near $4.71. On the sentiment front, short interest spiked in the latest reporting period, but still accounts for less than 1% of Plasmatech Biopharmaceuticals Inc's available float.


• After being temporarily halted in electronic trading, ACRX has plunged 24% out of the gate -- and to a new annual low of $3 -- following reports the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declined the company's request to discuss its pain treatment, Zalviso. What's more, the FDA once again requested more information for the treatment, which prompted price-target cuts from RBC (to $7) and Jefferies (to $3.50). Technically speaking, it's already been a struggle for the shares, which are down 70% year-over-year . AcelRx Pharmaceuticals Inc could be at risk of additional price-target reductions, too, considering the equity's average 12-month price target of $7.37 represents expected upside of 135% to the stock's current perch at $3.13.


• UBS is flirting with a 5.7% lead at the open to trade near $21.55 -- and is on pace to notch its loftiest close since late November -- following the firm's strong first-quarter earnings report. Separately, UBS Group AG said it is working with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) to resolve forex-rigging allegations. Heading into today's session, UBS was already sporting an impressive 19.4% year-to-date gain. In the options pits, short-term speculators have shown a distinct preference for calls over puts, per the equity's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.26. In other words, call open interest outweighs put open interest by a 4-to-1 ratio among options expiring in three months or less.

Analysts are weighing in today on e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA), Internet provider AOL, Inc. (NYSE:AOL), and cybersecurity firm Qualys Inc (NASDAQ:QLYS). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on BABA, AOL, and QLYS. 

• Evercore ISI decreased its price target on BABA by $10 to $105 (but reaffirmed its "buy" opinion), sending the shares about 1.8% lower to $79.19 -- and earlier to an all-time low of $78.83. On the charts, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has been unimpressive so far in 2015, with the shares down 24%. Despite this lackluster price action, options traders have kept the faith --  over the past 10 days at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), 2.18 BABA calls have been bought to open for every put. Short sellers have been hitting the bricks ahead of Thursday's earnings release, though, as short interest declined by 11.8% over the last reporting period. It now accounts for 5.5% of BABA's float. 

• The shares of AOL are roughly 3.7% lower at $39.30, after Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock to "sell," and cut its price target by $6 to $38, saying it is concerned about AOL's relative ad underperformance over the long term. Technically speaking, the shares of AOL, Inc. are now poised to end below their 10-day and 20-day moving averages for the first time since mid-April, but could find support in the $39 region. Traders in the options pits have been favoring puts over calls ahead of the company's earnings release Friday morning, as AOL's 10-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX put/call volume ratio of 1.45 is higher than 73% of all similar readings from the past year. Elsewhere, the brokerage bunch is divided on the equity, with 45% of covering analysts rating it a "strong buy," and the remaining 55% doling out "hold" or "sell" ratings. 

• QLYS issued disappointing current-quarter and full-year guidance, prompting the shares to drop a staggering 25.5% to $41.15. In response, J.P. Morgan Securities and RBC cut their price targets on the security to $43 and $38, respectively, with both firms reiterating the equivalent of "neutral" ratings. On the other hand, Baird raised its rating to "outperform" from "neutral." Prior to today's bear gap, Qualys Inc was a technical juggernaut, with the shares up over 188% year-over-year. What's more, the shares hit an all-time high of $55.47 just yesterday. Accordingly, calls have been prominent in the options pits, as 5.15 QLYS calls have been bought to open for every put over the last 10 days at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX. 

Analysts are weighing in today on biotech firm Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEGR), fitness products specialist Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE:NLS), and small business loan provider On Deck Capital Inc (NYSE:ONDK). Here's a quick look at today's brokerage notes on AEGR, NLS, and ONDK. 

• AEGR is suffering in the wake of a poorly received earnings report, with the shares 8.6% lower at $21.38. Nevertheless, Jefferies raised its price target on the stock by $2 to $26 while keeping its "hold" rating, representing a 21.6% premium to current trading levels. Technically speaking, Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is down over 51% year-over-year, with recent rebound attempts stifled by its 10-month moving average. Not surprisingly, put players have been active in the options pits, as AEGR's 10-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) put/call volume ratio of 0.74 is higher than 79% of all similar readings from the past year. Elsewhere, short interest declined by 18.8% during the last two reporting periods, but still accounts for 34.6% of AEGR's available float. It would take these bettors just over 14 days to cover their positions, at average trading volumes. In light of today's swoon, however, AEGR landed on the short-sale restricted (SSR) list.

• The shares of NLS are 18% higher at $20.29 -- and earlier touched a nine-year high of $20.95 -- after the company released first-quarter earnings that toppled the Street's expectations. In fact, NLS is the biggest percentage gainer on the Big Board thus far. Reacting were no fewer than five brokerage firms, which all raised their price targets on the security. Specifically, the most ambitious hikes came from Sterne Agee CRT and Imperial Capital -- to $24 and $23, respectively -- with both underscoring "buy" or equivalent ratings. On the charts, Nautilus, Inc. has been a technical juggernaut, with the shares up 33.6% year-to-date.  In the options pits, traders have shown a distinct preference for puts over calls -- over the past 10 days at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX, 22 NLS puts have been bought to open for every call. Mirroring this indicator is NLS' Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 3.55, which reads in the 100th percentile of its annual range. Simply stated, short-term traders have never been more put-skewed on NLS over the past year. 

• ONDK steepened its projections for a full-year loss, prompting Jefferies and Deutsche Bank to lower their price targets on the equity. Specifically, the former cut its target to $27 and the latter lowered its to $25, though both firms reiterated their "buy" opinions. At last check, the shares of On Deck Capital Inc were 12.2% lower at $17.57, bringing their year-to-date loss to 21.7%. What's more, ONDK is the second-worst percentage loser on the Nasdaq this afternoon. Not surprisingly, short sellers have taken a shine to ONDK, as short interest jumped 27.8% in the last two reporting periods. It now accounts for 17.9% of ONDK's available float, which would take over 16 sessions to cover, at average trading volumes. As with AEGR, however, ONDK has been relegated to the SSR list.

Panera Bread Co (NASDAQ:PNRA) made headlines earlier when the restaurant chain announced its decision to remove over 150 artificial ingredients from its menu by the end of 2016. Of course, PNRA is just the latest in a series of food companies choosing to reform their practices in order to satisfy the changing appetites of Americans.

Late last month, chicken cartel Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) said it would cut the use of antibiotics in the birds it sells by September 2017, amid concerns that the practice is contributing to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. Around the same time, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) became the first national restaurant chain to ban GMOs.

Even more recently, McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) unveiled a turnaround plan yesterday morning. To address sagging sales and a poor brand image, CEO Steve Easterbrook intends to implement a number of changes -- including improved food choice and quality.

While MCD may need to shake things up to invigorate its yawn-inducing stock movement, such is not the case for PNRA. In fact, the shares are up almost 20% since hitting a mid-February low of $153 to trade at $183.28, and are fresh off an April 29 annual high of $186.47.

Nevertheless, there's plenty of negative energy being channeled toward PNRA. Sixty percent of analysts consider the stock a "hold" or worse, and 11% of its float is sold short -- which would take nearly seven sessions to repurchase, at normal daily volumes. In other words, Panera Bread Co (NASDAQ:PNRA) could be on the verge of some bullish analyst attention and/or short covering

Analysts are weighing in today on gaming giant Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA), biopharmaceutical name Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SRPT), and nutrition focus Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on EA, SRPT, and HLF.

• EA is surging in pre-market action, adding 4.8% thanks to a fiscal fourth-quarter earnings beat. In response, no fewer than 10 brokerage firms raised their price targets on the equity, with Credit Suisse and Baird each setting the bar the highest, at $75. The shares have already more than doubled in the past 12 months, closing yesterday at $59.16, so it's not surprising that call buying has been popular of late. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), Electronic Arts Inc.'s 50-day call/put volume ratio of 2.95 ranks higher than 70% of readings from the past year.


• SRPT is seeing similar success ahead of the bell, picking up 4.9% after Baird raised the stock to "outperform" and lifted its price target by $4 to $20. This comes ahead of the company's first-quarter earnings release, scheduled for tomorrow morning. So far in 2015, Sarepta Therapeutics Inc has dropped 8.4%, finishing at $13.25 yesterday, and short sellers have taken notice. Short interest accounts for almost 38% of SRPT's float, and would take over 18 sessions to buy back, at average daily volumes.


• HLF raised its full-year guidance, crushed earnings estimates, and saw its price target hiked to $53 from $50 at Canaccord Genuity. Now, the shares are 14% higher in electronic trading, poised to continue their recent success. That is, during the past two months, Herbalife Ltd. has outdone the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by 19 percentage points to settle yesterday at $40.09, and short-term speculators have been trading calls in response. HLF's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.06 is lower than 80% of readings from the past year. In other words, traders targeting options expiring within three months or less are far more call-skewed than normal. 

Analysts are weighing in today on financial firm Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC), online coupon distributor Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN), and e-commerce specialist Zulily Inc (NASDAQ:ZU). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on BAC, GRPN, and ZU. 

• BMO cut its rating on BAC to "market perform" from "outperform," although the shares are 0.3% higher in electronic trading. Technically speaking, the shares of Bank of America Corp have been in recovery mode, up 7.1% from their late-March lows to settle yesterday at $16.35 -- a second straight finish atop their 200-day moving average. Options traders have favored calls over puts, as BAC's 50-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) call/put volume ratio of 4.76 is higher than 88% of all similar readings from the past year. Meanwhile, the brokerage bunch is mostly optimistic on the stock, as 56% of covering analysts rate it a "strong buy," versus only 6% who give it a "strong sell." 

• The shares of GRPN are 1.3% lower ahead of the bell, after the firm offered a lackluster full-year revenue forecast. In response, Evercore ISI lowered its price target on the equity to $7.50 from $8 while keeping its "hold" rating, and Ascendiant Capital cut its target to $9 from $10, but underscored its "buy" opinion. On the charts, Groupon Inc has been trending downwards, with the shares down 17.2% year-to-date to close Tuesday at $6.84. What's more, the shares are currently trading beneath their 20-day moving average, which has served as resistance since early March. However, options traders have kept the faith, as GRPN's 50-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX call/put volume ratio of 4.80 stands in the 65th percentile of its annual range. Elsewhere, short interest declined by 12.4% during the last two reporting periods, but still accounts for 12.8% of GRPN's available float. It would take these bettors over eight sessions to cover their positions, at average trading volumes.  

• ZU also issued an unimpressive full-year forecast, sending the shares tumbling 17.5% -- and toward new lows -- ahead of the bell. In addition, the firm announced that Brian Swartz will take over as CFO on June 1. Reacting were no fewer than five brokerage firms, which all lowered their price targets and/or ratings on Zulily Inc. For example, Stifel downgraded its rating to "hold" from "buy," the largest price-target cut came from Canaccord Genuity (to $10), and RBC and Baird lowered their targets to $12. Looking back, ZU has been sliding, with the shares down nearly 50% year-to-date to close yesterday at $11.82. Sentiment in the options pits has been bullish, though, as ZU's 50-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX call/put volume ratio of 2.74 is higher than 78% of all similar readings from the past year. Meanwhile, seven out of 11 covering analysts rate the stock a "hold," with the remaining four doling out "strong buy" opinions. 

Stocks are rebounding, amid a busy day of economic data. Meanwhile, among equities in focus, money transfer specialist Moneygram International Inc (NASDAQ:MGI), drugmaker Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN), and oil-and-gas issue Crestwood Midstream Partners LP (NYSE:CMLP) are all making M&A waves.

• MGI is up 23.2% in early trading to linger near $9.61, following reports the firm is a potential takeover target for The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU). Today's bull gap has pushed the stock through the upper end of its recent trading range; specifically, MGI has been bouncing between $7.50 and $9.50 since taking an earnings-induced plunge in late October. On the sentiment front, short sellers have been jumping ship en masse, and over the last two reporting periods, short interest plunged 22.4%. It still accounts for a healthy 7.6% of Moneygram International Inc's float, though, and would take nearly six sessions to cover, at average daily trading levels.


• ALXN will pony up $8.4 billion in cash and stock to purchase rare disease specialist Synageva Biopharma Corp (NASDAQ:GEVA). This equates to $115 per share of GEVA, or a 20% premium to last night's close at $95.87. The news isn't being well-received on Wall Street, with ALXN down 8.2% at the open to trade at $157.74 -- widening its year-to-date loss to 15%. In the options pits, short-term speculators have rarely been as put-skewed as they are now. In fact, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.10 rests just 11 percentage points from a 52-week peak.


• CMLP has popped 6.9% out of the gate to trade at $16.67, after the company said it will be acquired by its affiliate -- Crestwood Equity Partners LP (NYSE:CEQP) -- in an all-stock deal valued at roughly $3.5 billion. Longer term, though, CMLP has shed more than 24% over the past 52 weeks. Analysts, meanwhile, have been split. Of the 11 brokerage firms following the shares, six have doled out "buy" or better ratings, versus five "holds." Meanwhile, Crestwood Midstream Partners LP's average 12-month price target of $17.86 stands at a 14.6% premium to Tuesday's settlement.

Analysts are weighing in today on oil-and-gas producer Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK), cloud concern Salesforce.com, inc. (NYSE:CRM), and fast-casual restaurant Noodles & Co (NASDAQ:NDLS). Here's a quick look at today's brokerage notes on CHK, CRM, and NDLS. 

• CHK released first-quarter earnings and upped its current-year production forecast, sending the shares 6% lower to $14.92. Reacting was Jefferies, which lowered its rating on Chesapeake Energy Corporation to "underperform" from "hold" while decreasing its price target by $1 to $12. Heading into today's session, CHK had been staging a comeback, attempting to mount resistance at their 20-week moving average. However, today's drop brings the stock's year-to-date loss to 23.7%. Short-term options traders have never been more put-skewed on CHK over the last year, as its Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 2.63 stands in the 100th percentile of its annual range. Meanwhile, short interest jumped by 33% during the last two reporting periods, and now accounts for 22.5% of CHK's available float. It would take these bettors over six sessions to cover their positions, at average trading volumes.

• BofA-Merrill Lynch hiked its price target on CRM to by $7 to $80 -- in uncharted territory -- amid chatter that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) could put in a bid for the firm. Technically speaking, Salesforce.com, inc. has been outstanding, with the shares up about 25.8% year-to-date -- including a 2.5% pop today -- to linger near $74.57. What's more, the shares notched an all-time high of $78.46 on April 29, when reports first emerged that CRM hired advisors to field suitors. Not surprisingly, traders have favored calls over puts in the options pits. Over the past 50 days at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), 1.86 CRM calls have been bought to open for every put, which is a higher ratio than 96% of all similar readings from the past year. Elsewhere, the stock is a favorite of the brokerage bunch, with 83% of covering analysts rating it a "buy" or "strong buy." 

• NDLS posted disappointing first-quarter earnings and lowered its 2015 projected growth, sending the shares plummeting 17.6% to $17.06 -- and earlier to an all-time low of $16.14. In fact, NDLS is one of the worst percentage losers on the Nasdaq thus far. In response, no fewer than eight brokerage firms cut their price targets on the equity. For example, Barclays, Janney, and Credit Suisse all lowered their targets to $16, while BMO cut its target to $21. On the charts, this is the second post-earnings bear gap of 2015 for Noodles & Co, with the shares down 35.3% year-to-date. Despite this downtrend, calls have been popular in the options pits, as NDLS' 50-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX call/put volume ratio of 1.05 stands in the 73rd percentile of its annual range. Short sellers have taken note of the stock, too -- 23.1% of NDLS' available float is sold short, which would take 12.5 sessions to cover, at average trading volumes. Today, however, NDLS has been relegated to the short-sale restricted list.

Sears Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:SHLD) has officially stopped carrying Kardashian Kollection merchandise, after the product line failed to live up to expectations for over three years. Speaking of expectations, sentiment on SHLD is extremely bearish right now -- in the options pits and beyond.

During the last two weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the retailer has seen nearly 13 puts bought to open for every call. The resultant put/call volume ratio of 12.67 ranks just 1 percentage point shy of a 12-month peak, meaning traders have rarely bought to open SHLD puts over calls at a faster pace.

Echoing this, the stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) is 4.27, with put open interest more than quadrupling call open interest among options with a shelf-life of three months or less. This SOIR is actually higher than 84% of comparable readings taken in the past year.

Elsewhere, over 10 million SHLD shares are sold short. At the stock's average trading levels, it would take almost three weeks to repurchase these shorted shares.

This negativity is fairly surprising, considering Sears Holdings Corp's (NASDAQ:SHLD) technical prowess. The stock has advanced nearly 25% year-to-date to trade at $41.19, but is off 0.3% this afternoon -- following news the company's rent payments will increase by more than $150 million due to the creation of a real estate investment trust (REIT).