Schaeffer's Daily Market Blog Features Luxottica Group, Boeing, Apple Computer, Las Vegas Sands, and Hot Topic.

CINCINNATI -- Among the stocks featured in the April 5th edition of Schaeffer's Market Blog are Luxottica Group (NYSE:LUX), Boeing (NYSE:BA), Apple Computer (NASDAQ:AAPL), Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS), and Hot Topic (NASDAQ:HOTT). Schaeffer's Market Blog is just one of the many free market commentaries written every day at www.SchaeffersResearch.com - the home of Bernie Schaeffer and Schaeffer's Investment Research. The Market Blog is written throughout every trading day by Schaeffer's financial analysts and traders. They are quick insights to the day's most notable market activity from an options perspective. For additional information about this report or to have it delivered to you free via email every day click on the following link. http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/redirect.aspx?CODE=PROB12M&PAGE=1 .

Schaeffer's Market Blog for Wednesday, April 5, 2006:

Below are just a few of today's Market Blog entries. Click here to read all of today's Market Blog. http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/redirect.aspx?CODE=PROB1C&PAGE=1 .

9:43 AM Luxottica Reports Strong Sales

After the close last night, Luxottica Group (NYSE:LUX) announced that first-quarter consolidated sales were up 20 percent from the same period a year ago. What's more, the firm added that wholesale sales to third parties were up 30 percent. The company stated that the launch of a new line of Dolce & Gabbana eyewear was a factor contributing to the revenue increase. The Milan-based firm is the world's biggest maker of glasses and sunglasses. The firm also operates its own retail chains as well as making eyewear under license for fashion labels such as Prada, Versace, and Burberry.

Technically speaking, the shares have enjoyed a stellar, long-term uptrend on the support of their ascending 10-week and 20-week moving averages. In fact, since its March 2003 low of $9.96, the stock has skyrocketed more than 180 percent. The security is currently consolidating into support at its rising 10-month moving average, which it has closed only two months below since June 2003. At last check, the shares were up more than three percent in early trading.

10:51 AM Analysts Boost Earnings Estimates for Boeing

Boeing (NYSE:BA) is creeping higher today after several analysts lifted earnings targets for the aircraft maker following the company's announced higher commercial jetliner deliveries in the 2006 first quarter. Yesterday, the firm reported that it delivered 98 commercial aircraft in the first quarter, including 72 Next Generation 737s. Aircraft deliveries for the defense market totaled 27. As a result, both Jefferies & Co. and Prudential lifted their first-quarter earnings expectations to 75 cents per share from 62 cents per share. However, both brokerage firms maintained existing 2006 estimates.

From a technical perspective, the blue-chip company has soared sharply higher during the past few years. Since tagging a long-term low of $24.73 in March 2003, the equity has swelled by more than 200 percent, using the support of its ascending 10-month moving average. Meanwhile, short sellers are determined to call a top to the stock's ascent. In March, short interest spiked by 11 percent to 6.4 million shares. Yet, with a short-interest ratio of 2.2 days to cover, this indicator is still far from a pessimistic extreme.

11:00 AM Apple Computer Unveils Boot Camp 

Before the open this morning, Apple Computer (NASDAQ:AAPL) unveiled Boot Camp, a public beta software application that enables its Mac computers based upon Intel processors to run Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. The firm stated that Boot Camp is available for download starting Wednesday, and that the application will be a feature in Leopard, the company's next major release of the Mac OS X system.

The shares have soared more than five percent higher on the news, sending the languishing security back above its descending 10-day and 20-day moving averages. These short-term trendlines have pressured the stock lower since late January. From a long-term perspective, it appears the equity is bouncing off support at its rising 10-month trendline. AAPL has not finished a month below this moving average since May 2003.

4:01 PM Las Vegas Sands Continues to Climb

We've written about casino stock Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) in this space on a couple of occasions during the past few weeks. The stock has been one of the strongest in the market, garnering a bullish Schaeffer's Equity Scorecard ranking of 8.0 out of 10. Casino stocks have been strong all around. In fact, through the magic of the Internet, I was able find a Las Vegas financial advisory services firm called Applied Analysis, which produces a Gaming Index (AAGI). The AAGI is a monthly gauge on equity valuations of eight major gaming-related companies, comprised of five operators and three manufacturers of machines and equipment. LVS is one of AAGI's top performers. It's up almost 54 percent this year and has more than doubled from its October low. This rally comes amid pessimism in the form of high and rising put option activity and short interest

4:13 PM Hot Topic Trims Earnings Expectations

Hot Topic (NASDAQ:HOTT) announced after the close today that March same-store sales dropped 12.7 percent, compared to the Street's estimate for a 8.7-percent decline. The clothing retailer also lowered its first-quarter forecast to a range of a loss of one cent to four cents per share, and a same-store sales decline in the mid to high single-digit range. In trading today, the shares added 0.78 percent, but were stopped by resistance at their 10-day moving average. However, the security is holding above support at both its 10-week and 20-week trendlines.

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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 .