Schaeffer's "Behind the Headlines" Highlights the Following Stocks: Apple Computer, Boston Beer Company, Gilead Sciences, and Harrah's Entertainment.

CINCINNATI -- Today's "Behind the Headlines" from Schaeffer's Investment Research focuses on Apple Computer (NASDAQ:AAPL), Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM), Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD), and Harrah's Entertainment (NYSE:HET). "Behind the Headlines" is a report that analyzes newsworthy stocks that are generating a lot of attention on Wall Street. "Behind the Headlines" is published on www.SchaeffersResearch.com - the home of Bernie Schaeffer and Schaeffer's Investment Research.

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Behind the Headlines:

Apple Computer: Following a downgrade from Citigroup (which reduced its rating to "hold" from "buy"), Apple Computer (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares are modestly lower. So far, the stock's pullback has been contained by its 20-day moving average, below which AAPL has closed just once since mid-July. Options players continue to bet against the shares, as suggested by the stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.26, which is five percentage points shy of a new annual high. While the bears are the prominent force among the options crowd, the bulls are puffing out their collective chest as well. In both the October and November series, the 80 call is the site of heaviest open interest, home to about 63,000 contracts and almost 20,000 contracts, respectively. These out-of-the-money calls immediately overhead may present an options-related challenge to the stock's upside over the near term.

Click the following link to see a Daily Chart of AAPL since July 2006 with 20-Day Moving Average: http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/wire?ID=17458

Boston Beer Company: The maker of Samuel Adams Lager was downgraded at Prudential this morning to "neutral weight." Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM) shares are now trading more than four percent lower and have slipped below their 50-day moving average. Short sellers may view this as an opportune time to capture some profits. Currently, more than 14 percent of the company's available float is sold short, resulting in a hefty short-interest ratio of 9.7 days to cover. Should the short-selling crowd begin to drift toward the exits in response to today's pullback, SAM could reap the benefits of short-covering support.

Click the following link to see a Daily Chart of SAM since June 2006 with 50-Day Moving Average: http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/wire?ID=17458

Gilead Sciences: Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) is in the news today after offering to purchase Myogen (MYOG) at a 50-percent premium of its closing price on Friday, or $52.50 per share. Deutsche Bank noted that this move plays into GILD's strategy to expand its pulmonary franchise; MYOG's leading drug candidate, ambrisentan, is being billed as a possible treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension. As the acquiring company, GILD has lost some footing today, dropping more than five percent by midday, but double-barreled support may come to the rescue near the 64 level. The equity's 50-day moving average, which has helped guide the stock higher since early July, is currently rising into this area. What's more, the 64 level was an area of resistance earlier this year and may reverse roles to serve as support.

Click the following link to see a Daily Chart of GILD since March 2006 with 50-Day Moving Average: http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/wire?ID=17458

Harrah's Entertainment: Harrah's Entertainment (NYSE:HET) shareholders have certainly hit the jackpot in today's trading. The gaming concern has spiked 15 percent higher on heavy volume upon receiving a buyout proposal from private equity firms. The offer, reportedly worth $81 per share in cash (or a 22-percent premium over Friday's close) would be one of the largest leveraged buyouts in corporate history. Today's rally has boosted the shares above their 160-day moving average and through the 70.78 level, which marked a 50-percent retracement between the security's May peak and August nadir. Additionally, the equity is starting October above its 10-month and 20-month moving averages after spending the past three months below this pair of trendlines.

Click the following link to see a Daily Chart of HET since May 2006 with 160-Day Moving Average: http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/wire?ID=17458

The best way to take advantage of the timely Schaeffer commentaries is to sign up to receive their free e-newsletters -- Opening View, Market Recap and Monday Morning Outlook. Click here to have the Schaeffer's commentaries delivered to you free via email every day and get entered to win an iPod Nano. http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/redirect.aspx?CODE=PROAW13M&PAGE=1

About Schaeffer's Investment Research (www.SchaeffersResearch.com)

Schaeffer's Investment Research, founded by Bernie Schaeffer in 1981, is a financial information and trading resources company. It publishes Bernie Schaeffer's Option Advisor, the nation's leading options subscription newsletter. The firm's contrarian approach focuses on stocks with technical and fundamental trends that run counter to investor expectations. The firm's website, http://www.SchaeffersResearch.com, is recognized as one of the leading information sources for stock and options traders and was cited as the top options website by both Forbes and Barron's. Click here for more details about Schaeffer's trading methodology: http://www.SchaeffersResearch.com/method.