Brenna Hardman of MEB options reports about 5 times the normal options activity in solar stocks due to analysts reports that costs for solar panels developed in China may be reduced.  Last night Jim Cramer “Boo’ed” First Solar (FSLR) and this morning a Credit Suisse analyst downgraded the whole solar sector.  While Brenna believes solar is still a big industry long term, this news may set solar stocks back. Brenna focuses on Chinese ADR solar stocks, highlighting JA Solar Holdings (JASO) put options.

Markets are down 20 points as Brenna Hardman of MEB options reports from the floor of the CBOE.  Brenna sees a lot of options activity in Ford due to help from GM’s IPO (initial public offering) and mentions from Jim Cramer on Mad Money.  Also, Brenna’s research shows Ford rolling out 4 new eco-friendly car models in 2011 that could potentially be good news for Ford.

Brenna Hardman from MEB Options returns, having gotten her new membership at the CME with the badge “RMB” like China’s currency Renminbi (RMB).  Today, Brenna covers options activity in Bank of America (BAC) and China ETF (FXI).  There were 5k of June FXI 43 calls, $1.42 tied to stock in an opening transaction.  Also, 100k BAC Sept 14 calls at $0.10 with 9 days remaining, 4% OTM (out of the money)

Volume, including Globex, is slow as traders are sluggish to return from summer vacation and Labor Day weekend.  The futures contract rollover from June contract to September occurs on Thursday.

Tim Haefke, aka TopNotch, calls attention to a continuation trendline coming in today at 1045.20 area. When the housing data came out this morning, the market spiked right down to 1044.30.   A couple of seconds later, there was a 47 bid, Merrill Lynch came in and started to buy the market as well.  This put in a solid low at 1044.30 at least for today.

Jamie Tyrell of Group One Trading calling attention to the hard selling in the S&P 500 in the morning and a lot of action in the upside calls, trading up to the Sept 85 calls.

In observing the August options expiration, Brenna says there is good volume, about 2x normal volume, making it a good expiration.  The largest option trade seen today is in Wells Fargo (WFC).

Danny Riley comes to us from the CME Group floor today to talk about one of the biggest down days of the year, as the markets get over run with news about Portugal, Goldman Sachs and a severely over-bought S&P futures market.  Top Notch also has a few ideas on the fundamental aspects of this move, as well as some possible targets in both directions.

Danny Riley joins us today from the floor of the CME Group to talk about the lack of volume and its effect on the market’s continued climb up.  He also talks about other possible upside objectives for the S&P 500.

Tim Hefkie joins us from the CME floor today to address the morning sell-off in the futures market, and the strong afternoon move back up.  He also talks about impending resistance points for the S&P futures, and the relationship between their strength and the weekend highs in the Globex.

Brian Shephard comes to us today, and he addresses he limited movement in the S&P 500 .  He talks about coming areas of resistance and support, as well as the limited interest in the overall market from some of the big market movers.

Brian Shephard comes to us from the CME group floor to address the light volume, even on a “mutual fund Monday.”  He gives us some key points of support and resistance to look for on the day’s movement.  He also talks about a potential target on the Dow, and some of the E-mini’s movement.

Tim Hefkie comes to us today from the CME floor talking about the S&P 500 and its higher highs and higher lows over the last several months.  He also talks about where the S&P may be going over the next few days, as well as immediate opportunities to short the market.

Today, Danny Riley comes to us from the CME floor and talks about the effect of holiday mode on the markets, especially the S&P 500 and E-mini, interest rates and how much risk people are willing to take.  Also, a reminder for those who are contemplating staying in the market over a holiday weekend with a jobs report coming out on a day off.  He is also joined by Tim Hefkie who talks about what to look for in technical trading as the market continues its move.

Danny Riley reports from trading floor S&P 500 pits at the CME, mentioning Euro Currency unchanged, Crude Oil unchanged, and the S&P 500 pits are empty.  On switch day (when the front month S&P contract moves from March to June), volume is light since traders focus more on the spread than the outright contracts.