MasterCard (MA: sentiment, chart, options) shares rallied to a new annual high today after a couple of analysts expressed their love for the credit card company. Raymond James initiated coverage of MA at "market perform" today, while Lehman Brothers said it expects a strong first-quarter report out of the company when it steps into the earnings spotlight next week.

In a research note, Lehman stated that it expects net revenue to soar 19% on a year-over-year basis and added, "If reported price increases show up, there may also be incremental revenue growth in the 2% or 3% range on top of our estimate."

At last check, MA is down 0.5% after tapping a new 52-week high of $245.25. The speculative crowd seems somewhat skeptical ahead of the company's earnings report MA's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio rests at 0.89, which ranks higher than 71% of comparable readings taken during the past year.

In today's trading, it looks like someone may be opening up a straddle on MA to take advantage of a post-earnings move. The May 240 strike has seen 1,007 call contracts and 1,071 put contracts cross the tape. At last check, MA is hovering near the $238 level.