Implied volatility in the options in Sears (SHLD) jumped today. Shares are down $11.58 to $34.27 and came under fire this morning after the retailer said total sales for the quarter are projected to be down 5.2 percent. Sears also said it was shutting 100 – 120 Sears and KMart full-time stores. Meanwhile, options volume on the stock so far is 15,000 calls and 25,000 puts, which is 6X the daily average. January 25 puts are seeing the most volume. More than 5,000 trraded. Jan 27.5, 30 and 35 puts on Sears are seeing interest as well. The big move in the underlying and the heavy options volume have conspired to lift implied volatility in SHLD options up 31 percent to 84 and new 52-week highs.

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

Nokia (NOK) is down 14 cents to $4.79 and options order flow on the Finnish telecomm is interesting today. 24,000 calls and 1,500 puts traded in the name so far. July 7 calls are the most actives. 6,690 traded. January 5, February 6, April 7, and July 8 calls are seeing interest as well. Meanwhile, implied volatility is up 10 percent to 53. Some players might be taking positions in upside calls on NOK on hopes for a rebound in 2012. The stock is down 53.5 percent year-to-date.

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

Pulte Homes (PHM) adds a penny to $6.09 and a 15,884-contract block of Feb 6 puts trades on the homebuilder at 47 cents when the market was 47 to 50 cents. 19,169 now traded against just 9 contracts in open interest. Put sellers are perhaps expecting Pulte to hold recent gains over the next couple of months. The stock is up 72 percent since Oct 3 and last week made an attempt to break above a 200-day moving average.

Rambus (RMBS) is a big mover today. Shares are up $1 to $8.32 after the chipmaker signed a licensing agreement with Broadcom (BRCM). Meanwhile, 7,730 calls and 1,680 puts traded on RMBS so far today. Jan 9 calls, which are now 8.2 percent OTM and expiring in four weeks, are the most actives. 2,670 traded. Jan 7.5 and Feb 9s are seeing interest as well. Heightened activity and the big move in the underlying has helped send implied volatility in options on the stock up 16.5 percent to 53.