Goldcorp (NYSE: GG), a gold producer with 100% of its production unhedged, closed at $44.34.

Gold is recently up 1.07% to $924.90 according to Bloomberg. GG is scheduled to report Q2 EPS on July 31.

GG overall option implied volatility of 46 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price risk.

Financial Select Sector-XLF overall volatility at 39; 26-week average is 34

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

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Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) shares are trading higher as gold futures are advancing today. GG is also holding its annual shareholders' meeting today at 2 pm, which will probably move the stock. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on GG.

After hitting a one-year low of $21.00 in August, the stock hit a one-year low of $46.30 in March. GG opened this morning at $41.75. So far today the stock has hit a low of $41.67 and a high of $42.72. As of 12:20, GG is trading at $42.66, up $1.40 (3.4%). The chart for GG looks bearish but improving slightly.

For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a July bull-put credit spread below the $32.50 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 4.2% return in just nine weeks as long as GG is above $32.50 at July expiration. Goldcorp would have to fall by more than 23% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.

GG hasn't been below $32.50 since December and has shown support around $34 recently. This trade could be risky if the price of gold and oil cool off in the coming months, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by the support the stock might find from its 200-day moving average, which is currently around $34 and rising.

Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.

DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in GG.

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Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Activision Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) posted stellar results on the popularity of Guitar Hero and Transformers.
• Airgas Inc. (NYSE: ARG) beat Q4 estimtates with record earnings and raised its guidance.
• Amkor Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: AMKR) beat Q1 expectations on strong demand for wireless.
• Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) reported strong Q1 results that beat Wall Street estimates.
• Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B) beat Q1 expectations on its "global reach" and raised its 2008 guidance.
• Coinstar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR) beat Q1 expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• DirecTV Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DTV) posted better-than-expected results and announced share buybacks.
• Double-Take Software (NASDAQ: DBTK) beat Q1 expectations and raised its Q2 and 2008 guidance.
• Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) profits surged in the first quarter on record high gold prices.
• ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR) beat Q1 expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• Marvel Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: MVL) easily beat Q1 estimates and raised its full-year guidance.
• Molson Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE: TAP) reported a surge in Q1 profits that beat Wall Street estimates.
• Panera Bread Co. (NASDAQ: PNRA) beat Q1 expectations and lifted its Q2 and 2008 forecasts.
• Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) beat Q4 expectations and raised its Q1 outlook.
• Transocean Inc. (NYSE: RIG) Q1 profits more than doubled due to soaring oil prices.
• Unilever (NYSE: UL) posted strong results, with revenues beating estimates for the first time in six years.
• UTStarcom Inc. (NASDAQ: UTSI) released a preliminary guidance well above expectations.
• Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) posted better-than-expected results on success of its theme parks.

Also, Jim Cramer is pleased with Anadarko and other, similar energy players; Anadarko hit an all-time high on Thursday. A lack of earnings guidance from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (NYSE: DPS) had investors skittish as the company began trading this week. And Steven Mallas takes issue with Disney's dividends in light of the good earnings report.

Upcoming results to watch for include Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), XM Satellite Radio Holdings (NASDAQ: XMSR), Sirius Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI), Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI), Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE), Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL), Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT), JC Penney (NYSE: JCP), Macy's (NYSE: M), Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

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• DJIA 13,025.31 +55.77 +0.43%
• S&P 500 1,418.42 +10.93 +0.78%
• NASDAQ 2,483.31 +19.19 +0.78%
• 10YR-Bond 3.893% (+0.048)
• TOP 10 ANALYST CALLS.

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Goldcorp (NYSE: GG), Canada's third largest producer of gold, scheduled to report EPS on May 5:

GG was recently up 83 cents to $35.93. Gold was recently trading up 0.92% to $858.70, according to Bloomberg. GG May option implied volatility of 49 was near its 26-week average, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

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When gold recently moved above $1,000 the Aden Forecast presciently noted that the metals were overbought and forecast a "well deserved breather" for the precious metals.

Now, with the setback in metals prices, Mary Anne and Pamela Aden explain, "We can't stress enough that you should stay invested in the major uptrend, which still has years to run. Don't get left behind or shaken out." Here is their outlook on metals and some favorite mining stocks.

"Are commodities the new bubble? Have they replaced the real estate bubble, which replaced the
tech stock bubble, as investors move from one bubble to another? It sure looks like it.

"But the big difference is that this metals and commodities bubble has a lot further to go. Why? Basically, the perfect storm has been gathering and it's going to fuel a mega rise that will likely last for years to come.

"Most important is China and other growing nations, which are keeping demand and prices super strong. China's growth has been astounding at over 9% each year for more than 25 years. During that time, China has lifted 300 million people out of poverty and it's quadrupled the average income.

"This is the fastest economic growth in recorded world history. Many felt it couldn't last, but year
after year it has, and it's going to continue. Demand for everything is huge and there's no end in sight. This reinforces that the mega commodity uptrend will continue.

"Also important are spending, soaring global money creation, inflation, the falling U.S. dollar and international tensions. That's the perfect storm in a nutshell. All these factors have come together at the same time, and they're extremely bullish for gold, the other metals and commodities.

"Interestingly, these factors are also coinciding with the 200 year commodity cycle, in which bull market
upmoves have averaged between 17-22 years. Currently, we're only seven years into the current bull
market, so this too coincides with the fundamentals, reinforcing that these rises still have years to run.

"What we're seeing now is stagflation. That is, a slowing economy and inflation. And while metals may only be reacting to the inflation side of this equation, we don't think so. A recession or serious economic slowdown would mean less demand for commodities and they would be declining in anticipation of this, and that simply isn't happening.

"A mega commodity rise is underway and most commodities have been swept up, which is fueling
global inflation. Many wonder why commodities are rising with the U.S. practically in a recession and consumption down.

"This is the best proof that the world is growing in power and the U.S. no longer dominates the world stage. It's truly a global market and the strong demand in raw materials from around the world, especially China, Asia and India, continues in spite of a U.S. slowdown.

"The biggest difference between the bull market today and the 1970s is demand (more buyers than supply). This is much more powerful. When the current bull market runs its course, it will be the greatest bull market in history.

"We see demand growing, a gold bull market that is seven years old reaching a record high, yet the
public is not in the market yet and gold hasn't been mentioned much in the financial press. This means gold fever still lies ahead. The almost 300% gold rise since 2001 is just the start.

"We got a glimpse of gold fever in 1979 when the gold price soared from $300 to its $850 peak in 20 weeks. That was a 183% gain in about four months. The upcoming gold run will likely make that rise
look like child's play.

"With gold in a new era, many are asking, what is the likely forecast for the years ahead? If the uptrending channel since 2001 stays intact, gold would be near $2200 by 2012. Interestingly, this level in real terms is equivalent to the $850 peak in 1980.

"Of course, gold could go much higher and it most likely will, but this is a reasonable target for now. The 65-week moving average has been in identifying the major trend since 2001. Gold has stayed consistently above this average since August, 2001 and as long as it stays above it, now at $780, the major trend will remain up and prices are headed higher.

"Agnico Eagle (NYSE: AEM) is the ongoing best gold share followed by Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY) and Goldcorp (NYSE: GG). Pan American Silver (NASDAQ: PAAS) is the best silver share. Hold your current positions and buy new positions gradually by averaging in over the coming months."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

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Technician Yola Edwards had forecast a rise in gold to $1032; it rose to $1034, before correcting. In her Edwards Charts she offers a technical outlook for gold, Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) and Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX).

"Gold exceeded my $1032.50 level by posting an intraday high just shy of $1034 but it turned on a dime and plunged over a US$100. The daily chart now indicates prices are oversold according to the MACD and RSI as the price bounces off support at the lower Bollinger band.

"However, a negative bias remains. A corrective wave four will retrace to the top of wave 1 at about US$865 if the decline holds true to theory, which should be viewed as a buying opportunity as the fifth advancing wave should see gold rally to about $1145 over the next four months.

"Goldcorp has traced out a 'U' shaped bottom over the past two years and is now in a consolidation phase. Since pulling back from its high two weeks ago the month ended with a type of spinning top which halted the previous decline.

"A recent weekly candlestick is beginning on the negative side but is exhibiting a long shadow which shows that the bears case is waning somewhat. The consolidation is within an uptrend but with the weekly and daily charts somewhat mixed a sideways consolidation between $38 and $42 may materialize before another attempt at new highs.

"A close below $37.21 would see the stock dip further to about $35, however a close above $45 would signal a potential breakout with a target of about $66.60 over the ensuing six months. Add to positions now and on dips to $35.

"Barrick Gold was pummelled along with gold bullion prices, but has found support from its November '07 breakout. Its technical action would suggest lower prices and thus a retest of the recent lows at $42.50 would not be a surprise.

"However a close below $42.77 would suggest additional pressure with a downside target of $40.90. If the stock dips back to retest the lows and is able to bounce off of them then a double bottom would be in place and a rally should materialize from there.

"A close above $46.38 could be the beginning of a retest of the recent highs over the next month. Buy at $42.77 with a stop at $41.78."

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Goldcorp (NYSE: GG), Canada's third largest producer of gold, closed at $38.75 Monday.

Gold is recently trading down 2.59% to $897.60 according to Bloomberg.

GG overall option implied volatility of 49 is near its 26-week average of 47 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

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Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is up 5% on better-than-expected earnings.

Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) is up over 12% on a belief that the brokerage may not be in as much trouble as was rumored.

Northwest Air (NYSE: NWA) is off on concerns that its merger with Delta (NYSE: DAL) is dead.

Nuvelo (NASDAQ: NUVO) is down over 40% on news it will fire 40% of its employess.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247WallSt.com.

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• Streettrack Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) - set a new 52-week high yesterday of $98.73;
• Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (NYSE: AEM) - set a new 52-week high yesterday of $78;
• Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) - set a new 52-week high yesterday of $44.85.

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Another day, another story on commodities hitting new highs. Yep, oil has done it again today, and so has that most famous metal, gold.

According to a Marketwatch piece, gold has reached a record delivery price of $992 for April delivery (as of this writing). Pretty darn amazing. Of course, the more amazing -- or, perhaps, the more sad -- thing is that I've been ignoring the gold bull run. And I don't feel good about it whatsoever. The problem is, though, that commodity prices can be quite risky, especially for individual investors. Putting money to work in gold at this point could definitely be a gamble, especially as there are other bets out there that might be more worthy in this environment (to me, at least); for example, I am bullish on certain mortgage real estate investment trusts because of the trend of the Fed; I currently own MFA (NYSE: MFA), for example. (Yes, I did end up finding an acceptable entry point.)

Looking at the one-year chart of GLD (NYSE: GLD), the tracking stock for gold value, it is nearly implausible to deny that gold is in a definitive uptrend. And gold-related stocks such as Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) are following the commodity's movement. The old adage about trends being friends rings pretty true here. But, I just don't know if I want to do any inflation-hedging right now, and I don't know if I want to chase gold at these levels. At the very least, I would wait for a pullback to the 50-day moving average before even considering allocating some of the glittery asset to my portfolio. If you are an individual investor and you do decide that you can't take it anymore, that you want in on this ride, certainly make sure that you have enough cash on hand after your first purchase to improve your cost basis if it becomes necessary.

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"Will there be a recession or not?" asks Mary Anne and Pamela Aden. In The Aden Forecast they note, "The scales are now tipping to inflation," which they view as bullish for gold and silver.

"Sure, the economy will probably slow down in the months ahead and stagflation is also a likelihood. That is, slower economic growth combined with inflation.

"The Fed and the world's largest central banks are working together in a massive, historical concerted intervention to provide all the money and liquidity that's globally needed to keep things rolling along. Money supply, for instance, is soaring at a 16% growth rate, the most in 47 years.

"The latest producer price figure strongly supported our view since it was the highest in 34 years, showing inflation running at a 38% annualized rate. Since producer prices lead consumer prices, this is a huge red flag that big inflation is coming.

"The new record high in the gold price is telling us the same thing, and so are the record highs in oil and the commodity markets. In other words, if a serious recession were coming, gold and commodities would not be soaring.

"Gold is an inflation barometer and the action in this market alone is signaling that inflation will very likely dominate the economic scene in 2008. Inflation is bad for bond prices. It usually means higher interest rates and this time is not an exception.

"The turmoil in the credit markets has also been bullish for gold. Since it's widely expected that this will result in lower interest rates to help boost the economy, it'll mean an even weaker U.S. dollar. And since gold and the dollar move in opposite directions, the declining dollar has been a big plus for gold.

"Gold has also risen due to its safe haven status in reaction to growing international uncertainty and tensions. For now, gold is super strong above $840 its rise will remain in force with gold above $800. It's very likely that gold's upward momentum will now continue to build and if it does, it wouldn't be unusual for gold to approach $1000 in the current upmove.

"Long-term investors should continue to buy and hold the gold and silver ETFs -- streetTracks Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) and iShares Silver Trust (ASE: SLV). Among individual gold and silver mining shares, investors can buy new positions in Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY) and GoldCorp (NYSE: GG)."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

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Randgold Resources(NASDAQ:GOLD) is recently up $1.4 8 to $38.71. GOLD is engaged in gold mining and exploration in Africa. Gold is recently up 1.87% to $878.10 according to Bloomberg. GOLD over all option implied volatility of 50 is above its 26-week average of 45 according to Track Data suggesting larger risk.

Goldcorp(NYSE:GG), Canada's third largest producer of gold, is recently up $1.23 to $38.43. GG over all option implied volatility of 48 is above its 26-week average of 43 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risk.

Options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

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As Michael Fowlkes discussed yesterday, gold prices have been rising strongly over the past few days as fears about a possible recession increased and the U.S. dollar continues to weaken. Gold for February delivery rose in the previous session $9.10 to end at $869.10 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. There have been a handful of notable names that have benefited from these news to trade up to new highs.

Gold has been strong lately, and gold stocks have been following gold's lead. Gold had a very strong day yesterday, with prices breaking through a new record for the second straight day. Josh Bridges, analyst at JP Morgan, anticipates the new year would be a strong one for gold as "it must be remembered that gold is typically a late-stage performer."

• Streettrack Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) - set a new 52-week high yesterday of $85.94;
  
• Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX) - traded up to new 52-week high yesterday of $49.33;
  
• Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (NYSE: AEM) - set a new 52-week high yesterday of $59.45;
  
• Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) - set a new 52-week high yesterday of $38.55.

As the market continues to deal with mounting economic concerns and oil prices continue to gain ground do not be surprised to see gold continue to move higher into next week.

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For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a January bull-put credit spread below the $25 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 4.2% return in just 2 months as long as GG is above $25 at January expiration. Goldcorp would have to fall by more than 25% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.

GG hasn't been below $25 since September and has shown support around $32 recently. This trade could be risky if gold prices stop moving higher and speculators start to take profits, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by support the stock formed around $30 in September and October.

Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer. DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in GG.

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Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) is a new buy recommendation in the Emerging Market Leaders Portfolio at The Coolcat Report. Here's the latest from momentum trader, Kevin Kennedy.

"Goldcorp is one of the world's lowest-cost and fastest growing multi-million ounce gold producers. The company also mines silver and copper. A Canadian company, GG is based in Vancouver and employs more than 9,000 people worldwide.

"Goldcorp has 18 operations and development projects focused primarily throughout the Americas, including Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. The company also owns a gold mine in Australia.

"Gold production for the six months ended June 30 increased 63% to 11 million ounces compared with 674,000 ounces in 2006. Goldcorp paid $31.7 million in dividends to shareholders in the second quarter of 2007. The company has annual sales of $2 billion. Its gold production remains 100% unhedged.

"The stock has jumped 49% in the past two months and is up 6% since I added it to the Emerging Market Leaders Portfolio Oct. 15. The move comes as gold trades at 27-year highs and is within spitting distance of cracking the $800 mark. It's definitely a good idea to have at least some gold exposure here, and Goldcorp is an excellent proxy for the group."

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Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX), the world's largest gold producer operating 27 mines on four continents, is recently up .30 to $45.91. Gold is up 0.28% to $810.80 according to Bloomberg. November option implied volatility of 43 is above its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

Goldcorp (NYSE: GG), Canada's third largest producer of gold, is recently down .06 to $35.66. GG November option implied volatility of 48 is above its 26-week average of 40 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risk.

Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

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• BorgWarner (NYSE: BWA) to give business update at 10am.
• Burger King (NYSE: BKC) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 10am.

• Merrill Lynch to host conference call discussing Focus Media's (NASDAQ: FMCN) secondary offering at 11am.
• Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) CEO Jerry Yang, Senior VP Michael Callahan & General Counsel to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on how their company gave false information to Congress relating to their role in a human rights case in China which resulted in a journalist being sent to jail for 10 years.

• Symmetry Medical (NYSE: SMA) to give Q3 business update at 8am.
• Fluor (NYSE: FLR) to report Q3 earnings; conference call at 9:30am.
• Hot Topic (NASDAQ: HOTT) to report October sales at 4pm, American Eagle (NASDAQ: AEO) to report Oct. sales at 5pm.

• Disney (NYSE: DIS) to report Q4 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.
• CyberSource (NASDAQ: CYBS) to give 2007 guidance at 4:30pm.
• Gap (NYSE: GPS) and Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) to report Oct. sales at 8am, Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) to report Oct. sales at 8:15am.

• Halozyme Therapeutics (NASDAQ: HALO) to give business update at 11am.
• Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) to report Q3 earnings; conference call at 1pm.

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GG has been below $25 as recently as August, but has shown support around $30 recently. This trade could be risky if gold prices relax after a big run recently, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by support from the stock's 50 and 200-day moving averages, which are both around $26 and rising currently.

Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer. DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in GG.

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