Zeev's Turnips Patch-No Politics (ZEEV)

[wstera2]

13:26 ET Rumor Mill: Intel and the semi's : Hearing trading floor chatter about today's strength in INTC and the SOX; one rumor is that INTC is going to issue a positive preannouncement after the close, which seems dubious given that INTC guided down at its mid-qtr update and AMD has warned twice this qtr; another rumor is that a prominent analyst who has been bearish on INTC is going to upgrade the stock after the close, yet we're also hearing skepticism about that rumor as well.

13:21 ET Sector Watch: Utility : This group, over the last three sessions, has plunged over 10% lower but is currently on the mend despite a warning from PEG (+2.3%) this morning. Pacing the way higher are: EIX +6.7%, XEL +5.8%, DUK +5.6%, AEP +3.5% and TXU +2.5%. The Utility HOLDRs (UTH at 72.6, +3%) is facing initial resistance at 72.8 with a stronger ceiling at 74.9/75.