keeps going down, page-7

re: options impact on $12.50 I doubt big co's worry too much about key trading dates. That's the traders worry.

Re expiry impacting price I follow this closely.

My observation is that stocks will tend to close at or very near key prices on expiry date if the general ebb and flow of trading allows it. i.e if BHP is say 1260 at close on Wednesday and metals do nothing o/night the chances are good that BHP will close at or round 1250 on Thursday since that is the point of most open interest.
However if metals were to spike Wednesday night the wider market is likely to move BHP higher Thursday.
The players who have sold 1250 puts/calls will not be willing or able to fight the rising tide.