Buzz Stocks: Google Inc, Apple Inc., and NewLink Genetics Corp

1. GOOGL is 0.5% lower at $635.21 this morning, after announcing a lawsuit truce with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). At last check, there were 18 active lawsuits between MSFT and Google Inc -- but the new agreement indicates that the two firms may "collaborate on certain patent matters." While this deal drops all litigation between the two, it does not preclude any future infringement lawsuits. As shares of the search engine pull back to support at their 20-week moving average, option players have been stocking up on calls (perhaps in the wake of Tuesday's news). GOOGL's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.53 is lower than 98% of the readings taken during the past 52 weeks. This sentiment is echoed on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), where GOOGL's 10-day call/put volume ratio of 2.24 ranks in the 93rd annual percentile.

• AAPL is 2.1% lower this morning at $108.03, after an unconfirmed rumor surfaced that the company slightly lowered its demand for supplies for the new iPhones for December. Shares of Apple Inc. have slipped lately, and it has drawn the interest of put buyers -- as its 10-day put/call volume ratio on the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX sits at a 52-week high of 0.85. While option players have been loading up on bearish bets, analysts maintain a bullish stance. Out of 31 total rankings, the firm garners 17 "strong buy" ratings and three "buys," with not a single "sell" to be found. Downgrades from this optimistic bunch could put more downside pressure on the shares.

• Early this morning, NLNK announced that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has exercised an $18 million option on the firm's Ebola vaccine candidate. The shares are not reacting positively to this news, though as NewLink Genetics Corp is 2.7% lower at $34.89. Short sellers have stocked up on NLNK -- and are more than likely cheering today's price action -- as 21% of its float is sold short.
   

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