*Scanning all single-stocks subject to 2500 contracts minimum call or put volume

Focus Media (FMCN) is under pressure and implied volatility in the options on the Hong Kong-based ad agency is ripping higher Thursday. The stock is down $3.17 to $21.37 and options volume is 31,000 contracts (13K calls/18K puts). Normal volume through midday is about 4,000. Oct 20 puts are roughly 8 percent OTM and expiring in 22 days. 5,580 contracts traded. Oct 21, 22, 23 and 26 calls are the next most actives. Implied volatility in FMCN is up 33 percent to 68, possibly in reaction to the volatility in a number of Chinese stocks today. There are reports the DOJ and SEC are investigating some of the US-listed companies related to accounting irregularities (YOKU, SINA, SOHU, QIHU are seeing big percentage losses). Also note color on BIDU and CTRP options activity today.

Mosaic (MOS) loses $2.29 to $54.90 after the company reported earnings after the closing bell Wednesday. The results were in-line with a previous pre-announcement, but potash pricing disappointed. The stock touched a 52-week low of $52.61, but is now up 4.4 percent from those lows. Options volume in Mosaic through Noon ET includes 49,000 calls and 27,000 puts. The top trade is a 9,486-contract block of Oct 62.5 calls at 77 cents on ISE. It’s an opening customer buyer, according to ISEE data. 12,247 traded, which makes it the most actives in Mosaic. A 5,673-contract block of Oct 65 calls traded at 42 cents at the same time as the 62.5s, also on ISE and also an opening buyer. Separately, a 9,000-contract block of Oct 47.5 puts traded at $1.04 on AMEX. A source tells us the block was an outright seller. Looks opening. 10,200 traded. Players are still jockeying for position in anticipation of Mosaic’s next move heading into an Oct 6 Analyst Day and implied volatility has risen 10 percent to 63 on the session.

*Scanning all single-stocks subject to 2500 contracts minimum call or put volume

Hewlett Packard (HPQ) shares gained 96 cents to $24.16 on news the computer-maker hired Goldman Sachs to fight activist investors. The stock ticked higher in after hours on the headline late-Wednesday. Early options trades in HP include a 9333-contract block of Oct 23 puts at 93 cents on ISE. A customer sold-to-open a new position, according to sentiment data. 10,430 now traded. Nov 23 puts on HP are 4.8 percent OTM with a -.33 delta and expiring in 22 days. Shares, which notched new 52-week lows of $21.50 intraday Friday, are up 8.2 percent on the week.

Barrick Gold (ABX) loses $1.49 to $46.15 and is now down 17.5 percent from the 52-week high of $55.95 set intraday on Sep 8. Like other names in the sector, shares have been falling under the weight of lower gold prices. The yellow metal is down $36.6 to $1614 an ounce today and now $300 below the levels of more than $1900 seen earlier this month. Order flow in ABX is interesting today, as 36,000 calls and 9,275 puts traded on the miner so far. Top trades include an 8568 contract block of Jan 60 calls at 90 cents. The market is now 78 to 80 cents and 12,654 have changed hands. It might be closing activity, as the contract is 30 percent OTM and has 34,374 in open interest, which is the second largest position in ABX behind Jan 35 calls. Jan13 $70 calls and Jan13 $45 puts are the next most actives. Oct 42, 48 and 50 calls on Barrick are seeing some interest. April 48, Jan 40 and Jan13 47 calls are actively traded as well. Implied volatility is up 3 percent to 46, as players appear to be adjusting and closing position in the options on the stock after the volatile move lower over the past few weeks.

*Scanning all single-stocks subject to 2500 contracts minimum call or put volume

First Solar (FSLR) is under pressure today after Cantor reiterated a Sell rating and cut EPS numbers on the stock. Shares are down $6.57 to $65.70 and recent options trades in First Solar include an Oct 50 – 60 put spread, bought at $2.37, 4600X. It’s traded more than once today, as volume in both contracts now exceeds 10.5K. Looks opening. Dec 55 – 70 put spread was apparently bought at $680, 1000X as well. 40K puts and 14K calls traded and bearish action in FLSR has implied volatility up 15 percent to 88.