Buzz Stocks: DISH Network Corp, Sotheby's, and SunEdison Inc

U.S. markets are soaring out of the gate, thanks to an interest rate cut at the People's Bank of China. In company news, today's stocks to watch include satellite TV provider DISH Network Corp (NASDAQ:DISH), auction house Sotheby's (NYSE:BID), and solar issue SunEdison Inc (NYSE:SUNE).

• DISH has reached a short-term carriage contract extension with CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS), allowing the former to continue carrying the latter's programming. The length of the extension has not been announced, but the two will continue to work toward a permanent solution. Following the news, DISH Network Corp has popped nearly 4% this morning to trade at $75, and earlier hit a record high of $75.29. The move higher is likely being cheered by traders at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). DISH has racked up a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 3.29 across these exchanges -- a reading that sits in the bullish 74th percentile of its annual range.


• BID Chairman and CEO William Ruprecht is stepping down "by mutual agreement," following steady pressure from Third Point's Daniel Loeb for the auction house to renovate its business strategy. However, Ruprecht will remain in his positions until a replacement can be identified. The markets are responding positively to this decision, with Sotheby's spiking 8% at last check to hover near $42.35 -- though the shares are down more than 20% year-to-date. Some of today's gains may be attributable to short-covering activity, as 14.3% of the stock's float is sold short -- which would take more than a dozen days to cover, at BID's typical daily trading volume.


• Finally, SUNE and SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) have reached a deal to install solar panels at roughly 400 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) locations. "These projects bring us closer to fulfilling our commitment to double the number of on-site solar energy projects in U.S. stores, Sam's Clubs and distribution centers -- thereby reducing our energy expenses and generating clean energy in local communities," said Kim Saylors-Laster, WMT's vice president of energy. Shares of SunEdison Inc are moving north on the agreement, up 3.2% at $22.83; in fact, they're up a brow-raising 34% week-to-date, largely thanks to well-received M&A news from early this week. Should this technical trend continue, SUNE could benefit as option bears start hitting the exits. The stock's 10-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX put/call volume ratio of 0.84 ranks higher than 87% of comparable readings from the past year.