Trading Block: A thin day in the market. Lululemon (LULU) after the bell: ATM straddle - $6.75, approx. 12%. Will invisible yoga pants strike again? Odd Block: A review of past paper: Paper buying strangles in Tesla Motors (TSLA) on Aug 3rd. Call love in Extended Stay America (STAY) on Aug 7th. Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses call spread trades Mail Block/Options Question of the Week: Let's get cheap! If you had to buy "lottery ticket" December calls for $.05 in one name - which would you choose? #HomeRun AMZN AAPL Tesla VIX Listener Questions: What is on your mind? Question from Bobster - Can you trade options outside of US trading hours? Question from Nanfran - What do you think would be a good option to buy right now heading into the end of summer? Around the Block: One last look at Lululemon (LULU)

Trading Block: A quiet day in the market. Odd Block: Ratio put spread in Expedia Inc. (EXPE), ratio risk reversal in Dollar General Corp. (DG), and put-palooza in Pure Storage Inc. (PSTG). Mail Block: Options Question of the Week Look at #MayweatherMcGregor as #Options traders. @TheNotoriousMMA calls cost $1, pay $3. #Floyd calls cost $4, pay $1. Your trade? 30% - Buy #Connor Calls? 32% - Buy #Floyd Calls? 16% - I'd rather sell premium 22 - Whoever Wins We Love Listener questions: Question from Allan8 - Did Mark cash any calls on Floyd? Question from LAXX - Is it me or do the Vegas odds makers do a very similar job to options market makers? Another Options Question of the Week: Let's get cheap! If you had to buy "lottery ticket" December calls for $.05 in one name - which would you choose? #HomeRun AMZN AAPL Tesla VIX MORE listener questions: Comment from The_Quantum_Revloution - Which options are trading at $0.05 though that's the question? Comment from Randy Wright - AAPL, and I just might join you. Question from NTT - Can you clarify the question from last show. Was that SPX put-call spread guy asking about selling OTM calls vs. OTM puts or same strike? Comment from Dennis Lyrintzis - Wow over 15,000 Jan 55 calls bought for AAL. Thanks for the Alert. Question from ReallyG‏ - Love your #podcasts! Question: market profile displays limit orders. Is there a service that displays stop orders? Just wondering Question from KBX32: What is the cheapest way to hedge my portfolio w options? Around the Block: Upcoming Earnings LULU (8/31)

Trading Block: Amazon announces price cuts at Whole Foods, Hurricane Harvey bears down on oil central. Earnings are still happening! GameStop (GME) after the bell - ATM straddle $2, approx. 9%. Odd Block: Rolling calls in Genworth Financial Inc. (GNW), rolling calls in SPDR S&P Metals and Mining (XME) and weird rolls in L Brand Inc. (LB). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses strike price selection for a covered call. Mail Block: Options Question of the Week Look at #MayweatherMcGregor as #Options traders. @TheNotoriousMMA calls cost $1, pay $3. #Floyd calls cost $4, pay $1. Your trade? Buy #Connor Calls? Buy #Floyd Calls? I'd rather sell premium Whoever Wins We Lose Listener questions: What's on your mind? Question from Salman Azhar: To sell wkly $SPX opts against a long $SPX quarterly opt. Are call or put diagonals better for bears. Math is same but practice? Around the Block: ULTA pared off the earlier selloff. GME off almost 8%. What's happening in Jackson Hole? AMZN + WFM closes on Monday. GoFundMe to buy Twitter.

Trading Block: The eclipse hits the U.S. market. Steve Bannon gone from the White House. Elon Musk urges the UN against the use of AI in warfare. Odd Block: 105 More $TSLA Jan 2019 50 "Catastrophe" puts hit the tape today. Put spreads trade in Starbucks Corporation (SBUX). Size put spreads in Utilities SPDR ETF (XLU). Mail Block: Poll review Question of theWeek: Taking a break from #FireandFury & $VIX to talk #Earnings. Which #Options are you looking forward to trading this week? 18% - CSCO 57% - BABA 18% - HD 7% - WMT FlashPoll: Which major index has experienced the largest % change in 30-day ATM #Volatility year-to-date? 15% - S&P 500 38% - Nasdaq 100 8% - Dow 39% - Russell 2000 Listener Questions: What is on the minds of our listeners? Question from For Profits: What do you mean by TSLA catastrphe puts? Question from Privateer - Hi guys, love the show. I have recently been learning about an exciting strategy called writing call options with CFDs. The claim by the teacher is that CFDs can leverage the return on premium selling by ten times, and reduce your break even significantly. I am very invested in how this could apply in selling both legs i.e covered strangles or straddles. Can you discuss the downsides, upsides and hedging strategies used in this scenario, and how to mitigate risk especially on the put leg? Sirs yes sir! Question from LJC6V - Is gold looking good for a collar here? Maybe 2-3 months out? Question from Tanzier - Who is left in broker world that has not been bought up? Any recs? Question from Vic - What is Tosaw up to in AAPL now? Question from Farimax - What options strategies do you use the most? Around the Block: What is lurking in the misty ether of the future?

  Trading Block: WMT and BABA earnings today before the bell. Donald Trump sympathizes with Confederate statues. A look at George Soros options positions. Odd Block: More TSLA Jan 2019 50 "Catastrophe" puts hit the tape today. Call frenzy in Utilities SPDR ETF (XLU). Funky puts trade in Prospect Capital Corporation (PSEC). Rolling puts in WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses his recent SPY diagonal spreads. Mail Block/Options Question of the Week: Taking a break from #FireandFury & $VIX to talk #Earnings. Which #Options are you looking forward to trading this week? CSCO BABA HD WMT Listener questions: Question from Amir - Hi have Apple on a strangle put 155 and call 162.50 until the end of this week. With all the good news I thought it would pop over the 162.50 but now it is at 160.84. Do you think it will go back up or am dead in the water? Around the Block: VIX and its aftershocks. Feigned rotational love. Watch interest rates.

Trading Block featuring Matt "Tubby" Benson. VIX back in the 12 handle - is Fire and Fury over? Sept future down from 15.20 to 13.20 FIZZ and the Cook County soda tax Odd Block: Puts trade in Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN), risk reversal in Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co (HPE), calls trade in Teradyne Inc. (TER). Mail Block/Question of the Week: Taking a break from #FireandFury & $VIX to talk #Earnings. Which #Options are you looking forward to trading this week? CSCO BABA HD WMT Volatility Flash Poll: $VIX Hit 16.17 Thursday. Is this the end of low #Volatility? Or a temporary blip? Which level will $VIX hit first? 51% - Serious Vol >20 28% - Sindle Digits 21% - Heck with it - I'm in Cash Last Week's Question of the Week: Which #Options Exchange or group has carved out the largest piece of the #Options market so far in 2017? 72% - CBOE/BATS 17% - NASDAQ 3% - NYSE 8% - MIAX & BOX Listener Questions: Question from Richard D - Often on segments like the odd block or similar segments on your other shows you talk about someone going bullish or bearish on certain contracts. For example lets take the Tesla way OTM puts you have mentioned. You talk about someone wanting to be long those catastrophic Tesla puts, but for each trade there is some party taking the other side. Since there is always another party in these trades why isn't it the inverse analysis - in this case for example that someone really wants to sell way OTM TSLA puts? Thanks! Question from JDiggs - Is the convention for quoting spreads ITM strike then OTM strike? What about time spreads? Around the Block: Earnings! Investigating Trump. North Korea. China.

Trading Block: VIX getting some life again thanks to "fire and fury." Earnings after the bell: NVDA - ATM straddle: $15, approx. 9% SNAP - ATM straddle: $2.25, approx.16.5% Odd Block: Put spreads trade in iShares MCSI South Korea Index (EWY) , put rolls in SPDR Retail ETF (XRT) and puts sell and call in Urban Outfitters (URBN). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses what happens when low volatility gets higher in the course of just one day. Mail Block/Flash Poll: BOX Options is opening a new trading floor. Do we need another floor to compete with Philly, NYSE, CBOE and all the rest? Yes, for complex orders No, there are too many exchanges N/A, I only trade electronically I am dusting off my trading jacket Around the Block: What's coming up? Earnings this week: Thursday - Macys, Kohl's, Nordstrom, Blue Apron, Snap Inc., Coca-Cola, Nvidia Friday -JCPenney Big numbers: Aug 11: Consumer Price Index Get in the Middle of the Trading Action at the Professional Traders Summit

Trading Block: Investors Have Never Been More Short Volatility Futures Odd Block: An update on the Tesla "Catastrophe Puts," call frenzy in Procter & Gamble Co (PG), size bullish combo/conversion/reversal in iShares IBoxx $ Invest Grade Corp. (LQD), and calls trade in Extended Stay America Inc (STAY). Mail Block: More Tesla commentary From Michael Smith - This is an obscene about of OI that far out of the money. From Bart S. - Are those Puts bought or sold? From Gary Paster - A very interesting Collar which I will watch until expiration - Re: TSLA MAR 250/470 strangle that paper bought 400 times last week. Flash Poll: What do you think of the planned launch of cash-settled #Bitcoin futures later this year? 34% - I Can't Wait! 17% - I'm Not Interested! 41% - I'm Somewhat Curious 8% - I'm Waiting for Ethereum Question from Upward Momentum: Is that a good thing you think? #QuestionOfTheWeek: Which #Options Exchange or group has carved out the largest piece of the #Options market so far in 2017? 72% - CBOE/BATS 17% - NASDAQ 3% - NYSE 8% - MIAX & BOX Comment from FContangotrader: Urban Dictionary: Scaramucci Maybe 2-week options should be called Scaramuccis? Comment from Tim A. - For the guy who wrote in about trading with free commissions. What about a box? Around the Block: Earnings! Monday - Marriott Tuesday - The Walt Disney Company, Valeant Pharmaceuticals Wednesday - The Childre’s Place, Mylan, Live Nation, Office Depot Thursday - Macys, Kohls, Nordstrom, Blue Apron, Snap Inc., Coca-Cola, Nvidia Friday - JCPenney Also this week: Aug 8: JOLTS Aug 9: Productivity and Costs Aug 10: Jobless Claims, PPI, Treasury Budget Aug 11: Consumer Price Index

Trading Block: Apple earnings after the bell on Tuesday. ATM straddle $6, approx. 4% Options Earnings Poll - $AAPL earnings on Tuesday. The market is pricing a 4% move - approx. $6. Do you think $AAPL can do it? 32% - $6 is Cheap, Buy Straddle 25% - $6 is Rich, Sell Straddle 30% - $6 Seems Fair 13% - Can't Stand $AAPL Tesla earnings on Wed - $322.87. ATM straddle - $22.50, approx. 7% Odd Block: Puts trade in Flotek Industries Inc (FTK), calls trade in Mitek Systems, Inc. (MITK), risk reversal in InterActiveCorp (IAC). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses recent trades within his SPY portfolio. Around the Block: What's coming up this week? Earnings: Aug. 4: CBOE Aug 4: Unemployment, International Trade

Trading Block: AAPL earnings after the bell on Tuesday. ATM straddle $6, or approximately 4%. Options Earnings Poll: $AAPL earnings on Tuesday. The market is pricing a 4% move, which is approximately $6. Do you think $AAPL can do it? $6 is Cheap- Buy Straddle $6 is Rich- Sell Straddle $6 Seems Fair Can't Stand $AAPL Odd Block: Puts trade in Altria Group Inc (MO), puts trade in Pantheon NV (PTHN) Mail Block: Listener Questions and Comments Comment from Shawn St.Peter - I think someone would buy those puts like a life insurance policy if for any reason something happened to Elon Musk, Tesla could drop like a stone. Elon is the reason they are successful and without him I'm not sure they could make it! Comment from Brian Collamer - I see 950 of the JAN19 50 puts go up @ $1.10 marked "spread". Market was 1.03x1.25. OI 28783 - FROM JULY 26 Question from Matthew Therrien: I would be interested to see the guys discuss this strategy. Question from Richard D: Mark and the Option Crusaders (last time I called you Option Luminaries so I'm going to keep inventing new titles until one sticks!), I'm on a roll and got my questioned answered Tuesday, and I figured I'd try my luck with two more.  I also included a 3rd less serious question! Often on segments like the odd block or similar segments on your other shows you talk about someone going bullish or bearish on certain contracts. For example let's take the Tesla way OTM puts you have mentioned. You talk about someone wanting to be long those catastrophic Tesla puts, but for each trade there is some party taking the other side. Since there is always another party in these trades why isn't it the inverse analysis - in this case for example that someone really wants to sell way OTM TSLA puts? Thanks! Around the Block: Earning this week: Tuesday - Apple, Lumber Liquidators, Herbalife Wednesday - Tesla, Groupon, Fitbit Thursday - Weight Watchers Friday - CBOE This week in the market: Aug 1: Personal Income, Construction Spending Aug 3: Jobless Claims, Factory Orders Aug 4: Unemployment, International Trade  

Trading Block: Amazon rallies 2%. Bezos surpassed Gates ever-so briefly as richest man in the world. Then there was a selloff. Earnings Flash Poll - $AMZN is up next. ATM Straddle approx. $50 - aka 4.5%. Does a $50 earnings move seem reasonable or crazy to you? 39% - I'll buy that for $50 22% - I'll sell that for $50 28% - Seems Fair to Me 11% - I'm waiting for $AAPL Odd Block: Call rolls in Dynavax Technologies Corporation (DVAX) and calls trade in JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw gives us an update on the silver collar trade and discusses FAZ Mail Block: Listner questions and comments Tons of people giving us crap for not knowing the handle of our listener from the last show. Comment from John King - Dude, Louis Wintrhope III. You must be overdue for a live cast Trading Places party - on a trading floor, of course. Question from USA Patriot - What is ADV? the cheapest way to hedge my portfolio w options? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Jul 28: GDP, Consumer Sentiment Jul 28: ExxonMobil, AA

Trading Block: Earnings! Monday - Alphabet earnings after close today Earnings Flash Poll - $GOOGL is on deck. With $GOOGL around $993 the ATM Straddle is pricing in a 4% move. Are you a buyer or a seller? Buy it - 4% is cheap Sell it: 4% is expensive 4% is just right I'm holding out for $AMZN More earnings! Tuesday - GM, McD, AT&T, Chipolte, AMD Wednesday - FB, Coca-Cola, Boeing Thursday - Amazon, Intel, UPS, Southwest Friday - ExxonMobil, AA Odd Block: Puts trade in Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (SIRI) and size ratio vertical in Scientific Games Corp. (SGMS). Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from Alberto - How does this earnings straddle thing work again? What does that tell me? Question from Richard - Dear Option Luminaries, It has been a while years since I have written in (the last time I wrote in Alex was still one of the hosts)! Are there any trades that if you did not have a to pay brokerage fees would be excellent types of trades?  I recently have been given the opportunity to trade options and equities for a near zero trading costs for about a year. I had in the past found some multi-leg spreads or underlyings with a really low prices unworkable because the trading costs made the potential gains or expected value too low. Thank you for your time and for the great shows you consistently point out! Uncle Mike after that 12 days of Christmas options parody from 2015 I think you should be given a "license to inflict umbrage" for at least a decade! Question from Louis Winthrope III - What are best options trades for the upcoming earning release for Twitter? Around the Block/This Week in the Market Jul 25: Consumer Confidence Jul 26: New Home Sales, FOMC Meeting Jul 27: Jobless Claims, Durable Goods Jul 28: GDP, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: Earnings after the bell today: Ebay - $37.19 Microsoft - $73.81 Earnings season is back! $MSFT & $EBAY are up next. $MSFT ATM Straddle = 3.5%. $EBAY ATM Straddle = 7% Which trade would you make? Buy $MSFT Straddle 3.5% Buy $EBAY Straddle 7% Sell $MSFT Straddle 3.5% Sell $EBAY Straddle 7% NFLX Closed $161.70 on 7/17, traded as high as $185 (up $23) the next day. Odd Block: Put trade in Home Depot Inc (HD) and puts roll in Spider S&P Biotech (XBI). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses call rolls Mail Block: Listnener questions and comments Comment from Roger Barone: Please advocate for ALL AMERICANS to be able to trade foreign equity or index options! Trying to get the SEC or Financial Services Committee to do the right thing is like talking to a wall. They are both controlled by the big banks and QIBs whose monopoly they protect. Insane archaic policy pushing Americans - and their money - offshore. Info: optionproject.wordpress.com/reform. I'm gonna try to change from the inside if all else fails: barone4congress2018.com. Around the Block/This Week in the Market:   July 20: Jobless Claims

Trading Block: NFLX earnings after the bell. Netflix trading around $161.19. Options Flash Poll: Earnings season is back! $NFLX ($161.19) is currently pricing in a $13 ATM straddle (approx. 8%). What's your take? $13 is WAY too Cheap $13 is WAY too expensive $13 is JUST RIGHT I'm sitting this one out Amazon taking on Blue Apron - filing a trademark for a competing meal-kit service Odd Block: Puts trade in (CHRW), puts roll in Harley-Davidson (HOG), size call diagonal in STZ. Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from FContangotrader: How about collaring a stock and seeing whats shakes out instead? Question from Fund Concept: Interesting piece on the 3D printing market. Do you think M&A is expected to rise in this area? 3D Printing Market by Offering, Process, Application, Vertical, and Geography. Global Forecast to 2023. Around the Block/This Week in the Market: July 18: Import and Export Prices, Treasury International Capital July 19: Housing Starts July 20: Jobless Claims

Trading Block: Amazon Prime Day today. Lots of closing VIX puts. Waiting on what Yellen may say. Odd Block: TSLA options tracker - 145 "catastrophe" puts hit the tape today, 20 more Jan 2018 20 puts also trade today. APRN first week review - paper buys 1080 Aug 9 calls for $0.40. Crazy tree or put spread in iShares MCSI Taiwan Index (EWT). Strategy Block: A double strategy today! A put roll down trade in silver and a modified collar trade in XLF. Mail Block: Options question of the week. $APRN #options are live! Aug 8 calls top the charts so far. With $APRN at $8.15 Aug 8 calls are $.65-$.75. Would you rather? 28% - Buy Aug 8 Call for $.75 33% - Sell Aug 8 Call for $.65 6% - Buy $APRN Stock for $8.15 33% - Rather Eat $APRN's Food Listener Question from Darqane: Assigned on short SPX puts means getting long the underlying? But how does that work if it is cash settled? Around the Block: This Week in the Market: Jul 14: Consumer Price Index, Industrial Production, Consumer Sentiment Earnings This Week: Friday - Wells Fargo, Citi, and JP Morgan

Trading Block: Blue Apron options to list on CBOE exchanges on Monday."Amazon Prime Day" is today. A plan for new trading pit triggers a feud in the U.S. options market. Odd Block: TSLA Options Tracker - 51 more "catastrophe" puts hit the tape today. Puts roll in L Brands Inc. (LB) Puts trade in Gap Inc. (GPS) Mail Block: Listeners weigh in Options question of the week: Blue Apron $APRN is down over 10% from its #IPO price. Assuming #Options were listed, what trade would you make? Buy Dec 10 Call for $1 Buy Dec 9 Put for $1 Sell Dec 10 Call for $1 Not Touching $APRN Listener questions and comments: Question from Tomlyn - What the heck does StoppedIM mean? - From IB Website: SPIM Transaction was the execution of an order which was "stopped" at a price that did not constitute a Trade-Through on another market at the time of the stop. Process like a normal transaction except don't update "last". Comment from PBiggers - Costco Could not get filled to close, then this happens! Need a bounce next week. Question from Alfieg - Interesting artice in Barrons. Any truth to it? How to Tame Volatility? Nix VIX and Buy CBOE. Around the Block: This Week in the Market Jul 11: JOLTS Jul 12: Beige Book, OPEC monthly crude oil report. Jul 13: Jobless Claims, Treasury Budget Jul 14: Consumer Price Index, Industrial Production, Consumer Sentiment Earnings This Week: Thursday - Delta Airlines Friday - Wells Fargo, Citi, and JP Morgan

Trading Block: VIX ends near the top of the range. It was up to 13.05 at its highest. Tesla down 7.2% yesterday, due to concerns of slowing Model S and Model X sales. The numbers are out: OCC announced today that cleared contract volume in June reached 387,597,223 contracts, a 2% increase from the June 2016. Odd Block: TSLA Jan 2019 50 puts and Jan 2018 20 puts continue to trade. Back and forth trading in Tesla Motors (TSLA). Puts trade in LG Display Company LTD. (LPL) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses the recent silver environment. Mail Block: Options question of the week Blue Apron $APRN is down over 10% from its #IPO price. Assuming #Options were listed, what trade would you make? Buy Dec 10 Call for $1 Buy Dec 9 Put for $1 Sell Dec 10 Call for $1 Not Touching $APRN Listener Questions: What's on your mind? Question from Sal06 - @Options you think AAPL $147 call for June 30th is a good idea? Question from Nelly2 - Just so I am clear on the spread assignment thing. If I am in SPX, then I just get cash if the index closes inside my spread. But if I am in a stock, then I get the stock? Around the Block: WTH is happening in North Korea? VIX responds in kind. S&P 2400. Non-farm payrolls. Google fine.

Originally posted on February 19, 2016 Trading Block: Welcome to our 500th episode. Today's special panel includes: Mark Sebastian, Mike Tosaw, Andrew Giovanazzi, and our most beloved former panelist Alex "The Viceroy" Jacobson. They discuss: How many exchanges are too many exchanges? Options Insider question of the week The SEC Citadel Transaction fees Talking free of compliance issues And so much more... Odd Block: Rolling calls in Coca-Cola Company (KO), calendar spreads trade in Time Warner Cable (TWX), and put sellingHess (HES) Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from TennisGr8: I've been hearing a lot lately about gamma scalping. How does it work, and who should use it? Is this second-order greek becoming the new options darling? Around the Block: Are the bulls back in force? Always be prepared for a downturn.

It's all strategy in this abridged episode of the Option Block. Today, uncle Mike discusses what you an do when you're not connected to your computer, including: Take your mobile device with you Have the phone number for the trading desk Contingent orders and alerts Why not to have a limit order on a contingency Setting alerts

Trading Block: Wall St. boosted by tech stocks, rebound in oil prices; Bitcoin Tumbles to Lowest Level in More Than a Week Odd Block: Put buying in Darden Restaurants (DRI), put spreads trading in iShares MSCI Taiwan Index (EWT) and puts trading in Iridium Communications (IRDM) Mail Block: Options Question of the Week 1 Everyone is talking about #Bitcoin #Volatility these days. Where do you stand on #Bitcoin after last weeks aggressive downturn? Too Volatile, I am out I am still bullish I want #Bitcoin #Options I am sick of #Bitcoin Options Question of the Week 2 Let's get back to basics. #Options are great way to get long (bullish) exposure to stocks & futures. What's your fav way to go long? Long Call/Call Spread Short Put/Put Spread Stock(Future) Replacement Bullish Risk Reversal Listener Questions and Comments Comment from FContangotrader - I cant wait to start trading options on bitcoin. Comment from Mrs Wartsoff - Paper trading does not count!!!! Question from Jeli - Can I buy longer term options than LEAPs? Question from Andrew Freeman: I know mike is out of AAPL but if he had to make an options trade out there now what would it be? Theres no bid on the 70 puts and they only list December puts down to 80 where they are bid for nine cents. Around the Block/This Week in the Market Jun 27: Consumer Confidence Jun 28: International Trade Jun 29: Jobless Claims, GDP Jun 30: Personal Income, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: Taking the weekend out of the market. Biotech and the effect of the AHCA bill. Crude and the energy section taking it on the chin. Odd Block: Puts trade in Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (PAA) call spreads trade in Praxair, Inc. (PX). Strategy Block: Mike discusses trading size and closing positions. Mail Block: Listener Questions and Comments Question from Frank C. - Can you do a review of second order Greeks and when to use them? Thanks. Question from ZX45 - Is now actually a good time to become a market maker? I read in Barons that there are not many of them left, so there is not much competition. And how did Mike get in it if he was not a trader? Around the Block: Bargain shopping for a sub-10 VIX close.

Trading Block: Green screens. Did we turn a corner? Channeling Don S. Do we have a lack of shellac? AMZN needs WFM to grow? Everyone wants to be everything. Mike's disclosure moment. Odd Block: Puts trade in Marriott Vacation Club (VAC), puts roll in Alerian MLP (AMLP) and put buying in Pattern Energy Group (PEGI). Mail Block: Options question of the week Everyone is talking about #Bitcoin #Volatility these days. Where do you stand on #Bitcoin after last week's aggressive downturn? Too Volatile - I'm out I'm still bullish I want #Bitcoin #Options I'm sick of #Bitcoin Listener Questions: Comment from Production One: SPX and VIX are far more fun Question from Ejh4isu: What qualifications do I need to work in the industry as a professional, i.e. as a trader? Is that a career path I'd even want to consider? Around the Block: Watching tech. 2500 on the S&P, 8 on the VIX?

Trading Block: The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point rate hike Wednesday as expected. The market keeps shrugging off news about Trump. The news deluge, with its quasi facts, is making people numb. Odd Block: Puts trade in Tesla Motors (TSLA), puts roll in Yamana Gold Inc (AUY) and puts trade in Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. (AXDX). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses closing out long SPY call spreads Mail Block: VIX Limbo Last Month 40+% of you said $VIX wouldn't break 9 in 2017. But recent events have us asking again: How low will $VIX get in 2017? Still Won't Break 9 Won't Break 8.5 Won't Break 8.0 Lookout! 7 Handle in '17 Listener Questions and Comments: Question from Sal06 - Hello, Just wondering if you could help me I have a $100 call strike for Shopify at a average of 5.88 I bought a week ago. Do you think I have a chance for it to recover? Question from NanFran - Tomorrow is a triple witching hour. What does that mean for options? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Jun 16: Housing Starts, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: What is up with VIX today? NASDAQ sells off, S&P not so much, VIX pops. How low should VIX go? Are you in the Goldman camp or the Barclay's camp? Gaming segment hot today. Big news out of the E3 show. MSFT: $69.71 - .8%. Company too big to move much on gaming news. Sony (SNE): Unchanged. Slight adv pop - about 2.5X EA: $108.90 - off over 1% TTWO: $73.83 - Off 2% ATVI: $56.76, off 2.2% Odd Block: Puts trade in Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK), calls trade in United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) and calls trade in SBA Communications Corp (SBA). Mail Block: VIX Limbo! VIXLIMBO: Last Month 40+% of you said $VIX wouldn't break 9 in 2017. But recent events have us asking again: How low will $VIX get in 2017? Still Won't Break 9 Won't Break 8.5 Won't Break 8.0 Lookout! 7 Handle in '17 Listener questions: What's on your mind? Question from Sal06 - Hello, Just wondering if you could help me I have a $100 call strike for Shopify at a average of 5.88 I bought a week ago. Do you think I have a chance for it to recover? Comment from Lillith - I agree that the options market would benefit from more American options since the assignment process is confusing and risky. Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Jun 13: PPI Jun 14: CPI, FOMC Meeting Jun 15: Jobless Claims, Import and Export Prices Jun 16: Housing Starts, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: Comey talks before the Senate - the markets shrug. VIX still in double digits, barely. Silver and Alibaba. Odd Block: Puts trade in Tesla Inc. (TSLA), calls trade in CIT Group Inc. (CIT). Strategy Block: Mike discusses the importance of having different strategies for different underlying, in similar scenarios. Mail Block/Options Question of the Week: Weird Fact: #1 $TSLA position= 26,760 Jan 2019 50 P. Weird Fact #2: 10k OI added in last 2 months (200 today). Why buy these puts? Extreme Catastrophe Hedge Newsletter Recommendation Model S Extended Warranty Only an idiot buys these Comments on the QOTW: Comment from BeardfistMcfist - Tesla bond holders Comment from Gabe Rich - That's Elon Musk buying? Insider buying? Comment from WallStChef - Because the company will be out of business in 2018? Comment from Option Drone - Agree, although other alternatives seem even more head scratching State of the Union: Comment from John King - #Fired #FBI director completes televised #Testimony negative for sitting #president & #VIX DOWN .41 to 9.98. Just plain crazy. @Options #USA Listener Question: Question from Butcher Boys: What options trading strategy would you say is best suited to people with absolutely zero knowledge of options? Around the Block: Comey swing and miss. British elections. Will we make a new all-time high? Fed news conference next Wednesday.

Trading Block: VIX at 960! The VIX is back to flirting with its lowest levels ever. Keep an eye on APPL. The World Wide Developer Conference begins this week. The year-to-date performance of Apple, Amazon, Netflix and FB is +34% right now. Odd Block: Calls trade in Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE), puts and calls trade in Dynavax Technologies Corp. (DVAX) and calls trade in MSCI Hong Kong Index (EWH) , update from 4/3/17. Mail Block: Options Question of the Week Weird Fact: #1 $TSLA position= 26,760 Jan 2019 50 P. Fact 2: 10k OI added in last 2 months (200 today). Why buy these puts? Extreme Catastrophe Hedge Newsletter Recommendation Model S Extended Warranty Only an idiot buys these Listener questions and comments: What do you want to know? Comment from Fed Zeppelin - Shorts are learning there's a better option than getting squeezed via equity… Comment from Option Drone‏ - Short CDS or an OTC put in the name. Question from Adam Linlan - Whats up OB? Thinking about getting a model S. It is not a small purchase (about 85k) so I am a little concerned about the future of Tesla motors. Will it be around to service my pricey vehicle in 3-5 years. So I thought I should purchase some insurance. The longest listed puts are Jan 19. I do not want to pay through the nose so I am thinking about picking up the Jan 100 puts for about $4. By my math if TSLA goes bankrupt I will be sitting on a cool 96k, more than the cost of my car. If it does not happen then I will probably roll about six months out so it will cost me a little more but all in all I do not foresee spending more than $1000 during the life of the car. Am I crazy for thinking about doing this? Question from Parallelism - What site are you using paper on? I would like to learn options using paper. Question from GiddyFranciscan - Sell in May and go away. What option strategy benefits from the profound market malaise that occurs over the summer? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Jun 5: Productivity and Costs, Factory Orders Jun 6: JOLTS Jun 8: Jobless Claims

Trading Block: Today we welcome guest co-host Matt Amberson from ORATS. AMZN finally hits $1000. Who is next? Google? Do we need to bring back mini options with all of these high-priced stocks? The crude rally continues. Odd Block: TSLA Options Tracker: Guess what the number one position in Tesla is right now? Calls trade in Taubman Centers (TCO). Strategy Block: Mike discusses his SPY diagonal spread trade put on last week. Mail Block/Options Question of the Week: AMZN just hit $1000. Will GOOGL do it next? The GOOGL $1000 call expiring Friday = $4, $1000 Put = $8. How would you trade? Sell $1000 Call for $4 Buy $1000 Call for $4 Sell $1000 Straddle: $12 Sell $1000 Put for $8 Listener Question: What's on your mind? Question from GuruHawk -How do you know the shares were purchased as well? I see the volume on the option... But to know workings of intent? Around the Block: What is going on in the June 16 SPY contract? Market reaction to the decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Non-farm payrolls. How low can VIX go? What else will hit the $1000 mark?

Trading Block: A Retail Resurgence: Best Buy (BBY) - close $50.42, ATM straddle $4, approx. 8%. Earnings: Amazon, ULTA, Costco, GameStop. Odd Block: Call spread buying in Southwestern Energy Corporation (SWN), calls buying in Macerish Co (MAC), puts and stock buying in Omega Healthcare Investors (OHI) Strategy Block: Mike discusses what you can do to sell premium in this market environment. Mail Block: Options Question Of The Week: $VIX =11.20. $VIX June Future = 12.40 $VIX Weekly 11 puts = $.15, Weekly 13 Calls = $.15. What's your trade? Buy 13 Call for $.15 Buy 11 Put for $.15 Sell 13 Call for $.15 Sell 11 Put for $.15 Listener Comment: Comment from Production One - VR would excite the young to trade options! Not old fat guys for sure! MarketWatch: Who trades options the most? Millennial investors Industry should be OK going forward. Around the Block/This Week in the Market: A shortened week due to Memorial Day

Trading Block: Earnings highlights include Lowes (Wednesday), Best Buy, Costco, TD Ameritrade, GameStop (Thursday). Odd Block: Calls trade in Pandora Media Inc. (P), calls trade in Energy Transfer Equity LP (ETE) and calls trade in MGM Resorts Int. (MGM). Mail Block: Questions. Comments. More Options Question Of The Week: $VIX =11.20. $VIX June Future = 12.40 $VIX Weekly 11 puts = $.15, Weekly 13 Calls = $.15. What's your trade? Buy 13 Call for $.15 Buy 11 Put for $.15 Sell 13 Call for $.15 Sell 11 Put for $.15 Listener Questions: Question from Game Daydog - Whoo Hooo !! I made the boot camp show!!! He's right.. I did take a bruise, but my position was good. The stock gapped thru my position. Is there an option strategy that offers the most gap-thru protection? Question from Jlers -Best broker for Iron Condors? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: May 23: New Home Sales May 24: Existing Home Sales, FOMC Minutes May 25: Jobless Claims, International Trade May 26: Durable Goods, GDP, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: Still in earnings season. Yesterday: Target, Cisco. Today: Alibaba, Walmart, Gap. GAP (GPS) - $23.13, ATM Straddle: $1.85, approx. 8% BABA - $120.72, ATM Straddle $6, approx. 5% Dow moves higher amid Trump fears following worst drop of year The Volatility Buyer Known as '50 Cent' Just Had a Huge Payday Odd Block: Calls trade in Pandora Media Inc (P), calls trade in SBA Communications Corp (SBA) and calls trade in Kimberly Clark Corp (KMB) Strategy Block: Mike discusses his adjustment in his silver collar. Mail Block/Options question of the week: There are still a lot of big names reporting in earnings season. Which ones are on your options watchlist this week? Walmart, $WMT Alibaba, $BABA Home Depot, $HD Cisco, $CSCO Listener questions: Question from Andrew McNichol: Big fan of your Options Bootcamp podcast. I appreciate how you start at square 1 and then walk listeners through every element of options and options trading. Is there another podcast you recommend that does the same but for stocks? Most of the ones I have found are all about what is hot now, or stock picking tips. Essentially, I am looking for a stock trading 101 podcast. If you do not know of any such podcast, what is the best stock 101 book? Thanks! Question from Ejh4isu: If I buy/sell a vertical on SPX (or any equity stock for that matter) and hold until expiration, and SPX settles between the strikes, what happens? Example: sell 2395/2400 and SPX settles at 2397. Around the Block/This Week in the Market: May 18: Jobless Claims

Trading Block: A bull rally in the market. A short breakdown of the OIC 2017 Conference in Scottsdale, AZ. Earnings Highlights: Tuesday - Home Depot Wednesday - Target Thursday - Alibaba, Walmart, Gap Odd Block: Calls trade in Fairmount Santrol Holdings (FMSA), calls trade in Ocwen Financial Corp (OCN) and calls trade in Home Depot Inc (HD). Mail Block: Questions, comments, polls and more. Options Question of the Week: Still a lot of big names reporting in earnings season. Which ones are on your options watchlist this week? Walmart, $WMT Alibaba, $BABA Home Depot, $HD Cisco, $CSCO Listener question:   Question from Abdallah Badwan - Hey I am new to options but I have been studying them for awhile and the only thing I don't understand is how do I know what stocks to choose if I want short term gains. In other words I want to be a short term investor and I want to know how to narrow down the stocks I want to invest in on a daily basis. How do I make a watchlist of stocks that I can invest in on a daily basis for short term gains. Around the Block/ This Week in the Market: May 15: Treasury International, Housing Market Index May 16: Housing Starts, Industrial Production May 18: Jobless Claims

Trading Block: Yesterday's earnings: SNAP. Today's Earnings: Macys, Kohls, Nordstrom. Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses horizontal ratio spreads Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Options Question Of The Week: This volatility implosion is starting to make people nervous. $VIX #Limbo Time: How Low Can It Go in 2017? 9.0 is the bottom (38%) No lower than 8.5 (18%) Cannot get below 8.0 (15%) Question from Fund Concept: Doubt that Trump will get rid of H1Bs considering global talent is crucial for U.S economy. Any thoughts? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: May 11: Jobless Claims, PPI May 12: Consumer Price Index, Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: VIX near the single digits at the 10 handle. Is the VIX too low? Earnings: Tesla, Facebook, Disney and EA. Odd Block: Puts trade in iShares MSCI Germany Index (EWI), call buying in JD.com Inc (JD) and calls trade in iShares MSCI South Korean Index (EWG) Mail Block/Weekend Flash Poll: These are crazy times for all markets from commodities to equities and volatility. Which crazy level will we hit first? VIX Below 9 SPX Above 2500 WTI Below 40 AAPL Above $160 Listener Question: Question from Paul - Mark, What is your take on the timing of an investment in silver right now? I just got out of the market and I am thinking of investing in silver - either the traditional options or an ETF that tracks physical bullion like SLV or SIVR. I am leaning towards SIVR for its lower expense ratio. Question Real Yute - Greetings, could you please explain how stock option is priced? My Internet provider will not allow me to access other page than Facebook. I only need to know how the pricing work. For example can $2 buy a contract? Comment from Charlie T. - Not really an options guy. I do not need the headache of yet another unknown element aka time. It’s hard enough just picking my stocks, deciding price points, exit points, etc. Around the Block: Disney, EA and SNAP

Trading Block: The Trumpcare bill and French election, how might they affect vol? Tesla: Close - $311, ATM Straddle - $17, approx. 5.5%. Stock off over $20 at the lowest point today, closing off nearly 5%. FB: Close - $151.80, ATM Straddle - $5.63, approx. 3.7% Facebook grew its revenue by 49% during the first three months of the year. Thank you to Steve A for the fan art! Odd Block: Calls trade in Whiting Petroleum Corp (WLL), puts trade in Alerian MLP Index (AMJ) and puts trade in US Silica Holdings Inc (SLCA). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses his most recent trades and moves from Monday. Mail Block/Earnings Season Flash Poll: $ZNGA reports earnings today. Stock is trading $2.87. #Options ADV 3K. Do you trade options on cheap stocks? Yes, down to $10 Yes, down to $5 Rarely No, the stock is an Option Around the Block/This Week in the Market May 4: Jobless Claims, International Trade, Factory Orders May 5: Unemployment

Trading Block: Green on the screen for the NASDAQ. Looking ahead to AAPL earnings. CNBC's Mr. Wonderful is loving AAPL right now. OCC cleared contract volume down 6% year over year. Odd Block: Review of MGM time stupid from last week, puts trade in NBR, calls trade in CBI, and put buyers in NBL. Mail Block/Options Question of the Week: #Earnings #PopQuiz - $AAPL $146.50, #Weekly strad. $5 (3.5%). IV30 = 21%, Weekly 155 Call= $.27, 138 Put = $.27 Would you rather? Buy Straddle/Iron Fly Sell Straddle/Iron Fly Buy Call Buy Put Listener questions and comments: Question from Ron: I hear you mention the term stupid, "That's a put stupid," or "That's a call stupid." Is that strategy or an term of endearment? Thanks Ron Question from Let's make best: Which broker is the best for option trading? Question from Sharkcake: I've been approved to trade options by my Brokerage but I have yet to execute my first trade. What trade do you recommend? Around the Block/This Week in the Market May 1: Personal Income May 1: Construction Spending May 3: FOMC Meeting May 4: Jobless Claims May 4: International Trade May 4: Factory Orders May 5: Unemployment Earnings this week: Quarterly earnings continue to roll with one of the biggest names of the season set to announce Tuesday after the close. Technology giant Apple Inc. is set to release their latest numbers and the way they are perceived could push the stock to new highs like last release. In addition, there are other big names announcing as well including Tesla Motors and Pfizer.

Trading Block with very special guest co-host: Henry Schwartz, Trade Alert Earnings today after the bell: Alphabet/GOOGL - $889, ATM Straddle - $29, approx. 3.2% Amazon - $921.50, ATM Straddle - $37.50, approx. 4% Intel - $37.25, ATM Straddle - $1.20, approx. 3.2% Starbucks - $61.75, ATM Straddle - $2.40, approx. 4% Odd Block: Calls trade in Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AAOI), calls trade in Nabors Industries Ltd (NBR), and calls trade in Yandex NV (YNDX) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses the six factors of option pricing. Around the Block/Question of the Week: Earnings Season is upon us. Big names are reporting soon. Which is your pick for the largest % move post-earnings? $AMZN, 36% $GOOGL, 26% $CMG, 30% $MSFT, 8% Earnings this week: 3M, ATT, Chipotle, JetBlue, Xerox, Boeing, PepsiCo, Nasdaq, Google, Amazon, Ford, Intel, Southwest, Starbucks, Exxon, General Motors.

Trading Block: Earnings today Alcoa: $33, ATM Straddle $2 - approx. 6% Chipotle: ATM Straddle $25.25, approx. 5.4% VIX 'fear' gauge plummets as French election results spark global relief rally. Odd Block: Calls and puts trade in GGP Inc. (GGP), puts trade in Excelon Corp. (EXC) and calls trade in MGM Resorts Intl. (MGM). Mail Block: QuestionoftheWeek: Earnings Season is upon us. Big names are reporting soon. Which is your pick for the largest % move post-earnings? $AMZN $GOOGL $CMG $MSFT Listner questions and comments: Follow-up comments from GameDay Dog: You nailed it. I was assigned on 2 of the options. I knew that, but the (-) in my margin account was "alarming". My main thought was losing more than my spread safety net. The math did not make sense immediately. Glad to ask a ? that made others ask ?s.. My bad...just heard episode 608...Yeah, I got assigned 2 of 3 my put spread.. Way too early! I will get into better detail next time. Episode 208 had an excellent answer. That big negative number was stupid scary! I closed all the positions & sold the stock.. the 1 short put & 3 long puts made it a back ratio spread when I closed it.. it's funny now!  PS - thanks for managing to get my questions on air.. once I closed the positions, I was able to sleep that night!!! Feels like I lost more than $300 though. By getting assigned the shares, it felt like I had more at risk and loss was influenced by the price of the underlying instead of the option. If that makes sense. Seeing the large margin number was not pleasant.. My credit spread had a 30% chance of being ITM when I sold it too! Hahaha.. Question from Lesnod -How do you get out of the straddles? One side of a straddle is always a loss correct? Around the Block/This Week in the Market Apr 25: New Home Sales, Consumer Confidence Apr 27: Jobless Claims, International Trade, Pending Home Sales Apr 28: GDP, Consumer Sentiment  

Trading Block featuring guest co-host Jill Malandrino, Global Markets Reporter NASDAQ. The brand spanking new PHLX trading floor. SPX and the VIX North Korea and Trump meeting Italian PM Odd Block: Call rolls trade in Walmart (WMT), puts trade in Bank of America (BAC) and ratio call spreads trade in Starbucks (SBUX) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses the importance of gamma. Around the Block: What are we looking at that might move the markets next week?

Trading Block: VIX preparing for the French election. Earnings today (after the bell): United Airlines - $UAL - 70.37USD, Price increase 1.29 (1.87%), ATM Straddle - $2.50, approx. 3.5% Netflix - $NFLX, 146.56USD Price increase 3.64 (2.55%), ATM Straddle - $12, approx. 8% Odd Block: Call spread selling in Thor Industries Inc. (THO), call buying in Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN), and put spread buying in SPDR Euro STOXX 50 ETF (FEZ). Mail Block/Options #QuestionOfTheWeek With $TSLA threatening $315 how are you leaning in your #Options trades this month? Would you rather: Buy 1-month $300 put Buy 1-month $330 call Sell 1-month $300 put Staying far away from it Listener questions and comments concerning Game Day Dog question: Question from Elio - Confused. How did that guy end up with only two of his short puts getting assigned to him? If he was short 3 should not all of them have been assigned? Question from AddJack - You answered a question from Gamedaydog on Tuesday's episode about a put spread gone bad. Is this a reason not to trade spreads if these sort of complications can pop up? Think I would rather stick with stock thank you. Question from Tony Rather - Fun show. Thanks to you and Rock Lobster and Uncle Mike for educating, informing and educating us each week. I have a follow up to the listener mail question from last show in which the listener and Uncle Mike said he was long stock against his put spread. They both said his stock would expire after seven days. But stock does not have an expiration date. Please clarify as I am obviously missing something. Around the Block: What's on our trading screens for the rest of the week? Earnings! Bank of America Charles Schwab This week in the market: Apr 18: Housing Starts, Industrial Production Apr 19: Beige Book Apr 20: Jobless Claims Apr 21: Existing home Sales

Trading Block: Today we have very special guest co-hosts: Nick Howard, QuickStirke. Ophir Gottlieb, CMLVIZ.com VIX blowing out the down side MOAB bomb drops Commodity update Uncle Mike's silver collar Odd Block: Puts trade in iShares Barclays 7-10 year bond ETF (IEF), puts trade in Hanesbrands Inc (HBI), calls trade in Whiting Petroleum Corp (WLL). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses trading over a long weekend. Mail Block/Options #QuestionOfTheWeek With $TSLA threatening $315 how are you leaning in your #Options trades this month? Would you rather: Buy 1-month $300 put Buy 1-month $330 call Sell 1-month $300 put Staying far away from it Listener Question: Question from AndersonInvesting - New to options. I use TD Ameritrade but currently I do not like it for options. I was looking at Charles Schwab. Any recommendations for an options newbie? Also looking at AMD puts to protect gains (averaged in at 13.23. Earnings date has been announced for May 1st.) Any suggestions there? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: April 14: Consumer Price Index, Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: Tesla is now more valuable than GM. Odd Block: Calls trade in MOMO Inc. (MOMO), calls trade in SunPower Corp. SPWR and calls trade in First Solar, Inc. FSLR. Mail Block/Options QuestionOfTheWeek With $TSLA threatening $315 how are you leaning in your #Options trades this month? Would you rather: Buy 1-month $300 put Buy 1-month $300 call Sell 1-month $300 put Staying far away from it Around the Block: What is lighting up our trading screens for the coming week?

Trading Block: The 100-year anniversary of the vote to join WWI. VIX pops after Syrian attack. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, VRX + $0.16 to $9.66. Odd Block: Puts trade in iPath S&P 500 VIX Short Term Future ETN (VXX), puts trade in Ford Motor Co. (F) and calls trade in JetBlue Airways Corp (JBLU). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses his most recent trade in SPY. Mail Block: #Options #BrokerMadness WINNER IS - Lightspeed Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Apr 7: Unemployment

Trading Block: New 52-week highs (132 new highs today): Amazon Inc. (AMZN + $2.62 to $889.16), Red Hat Inc. (RHT + $0.88 to $87.33), Veeva Systems Inc. (VEEV + $0.01 to $51.29), Tesla (TSLA + $11. 11 to $289.41). Tesla Inc is now more valuable than Ford Motor Company, and could very well surpass General Motors Company this week. General Motors Co. (GM - $1.55 to $33.81), Ford Motor Company (F - $0.34 to $11.30). Odd Block: Calls trade in iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index (EWH), puts trade in Fitbit Inc. (FIT) and calls trade in Carmax, Inc (KMX). Mail Block: #Options #BrokerMadness finals ARE ON! Who will claim the prize of your favorite broker: @OptionsHouse or @LSFinancial? The Winner is - Lightspeed Question from Game Day Dog - Aww man! My vertical put spread has gone bad. I have +3 options at 61.5 and sold -3 at 62.5 ... Yesterday it gapped down to 50. I now have +200 shares of LULU in my account +3 put options at 61.5 and -1 put option at 62.5. I thought it was a $300 max risk spread. Do I have to do anything? Do I sell the shares? Everything expires in 7 days. Please help. Thanks! So I learned about selling shares and back ratio spreads and even got an $19 credit.  Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Apr 4: International Trade, Factory Orders Apr 5: FOMC Minutes Apr 6: Jobless Claims Apr 7: Unemployment

Trading Block: AAPL records. LULU craps the bed. Stock market climbs after economic data, with banks in lead. Tesla produces more PR noise. Odd Block: Calls trade in ConocoPhillips (COP), puts trade in Lululemon Atheltica Inc (LULU) and call trade in CIT Group (CIT) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses Roth IRA vs a traditional IRA Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Mar 31: Personal Income, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: Vol skew gets dumped. Should technical analysis be applied to VIX? Stock-market fear threatens a return, as Dow stares at longest losing streak in 6 years. Odd Block: Puts trade in SPDR KBW Regional Banking (KRE), puts trade in GoldCorp (GG), puts trade in Bank of New York Mellon Corp (BK) Mail Block: Quizzes, question and more. Options #BrokerMadness tournament going on now. Current #Options #BrokerMadness battle (Monday/Tuesday). @OptionsHouse v. @TradingBlock https://twitter.com/Options/status/846361692544024577 Question from Zanzibar - What is max pain? Does it matter? Comment from VoiceOfReason1 -Options seems far too complicated - too much thinking involved. I follow the penny stock community - they are usually dead accurate. Question from Symphox -If you trade options correctly, is it true you will always have the advantage over outright stock purchase/shorting? Around the Block:

Trading Block: Earnings today - GameStop (GME). Why the bull run will stay in great shape even as the health bill troubles traders. Odd Block: Calls roll in Fireeye Inc (FEYE), calls trade in Vale SA (VALE) and calls trade in GGP Inc. (GGP). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses his latest put spread trade. Mail Block: Quizzes, questions, comments and more. With $SKEW so high we all need to prepare for the impending #ZombieApocalypse. What's your #Zombie weapon of choice? Sword/Axe Club/Hammer Flame Thrower Rifle/Shotgun Options #BrokerMadness tournament going on now. Today's #Options #BrokerMadness battles: @LSFinancial v. @TradeKing @TradingBlock v. @IBKR Around the Block: Earnings this week: Tuesday - Nike, FedEx This Week in the Market: Mar 24: Durable Goods

Trading Block: Apple continues to rally. NASDAQ touches fresh intra-day record, but stocks fight for traction. CBOE Skew Index trending higher. It's about time. Odd Block: Puts trade in GameStop Inc. (GME), call spreads trade in FireEye Inc. (FEYE) and puts trade in Grupo Televisa SAB (TV). Mail Block: Polls, upsets, questions, and more. Options #BrokerMadness tournament going on now. Tough battle today in #options #BrokerMadness as @optionsXpress takes on @IBKR, Who will emerge to take on @TradingBlock? @LSFinancial crushing @tradier Options #QuestionoftheWeek: In #BrokerMadness spirit, lets bring the fight to exchanges. What is your fav? Where do you send your business? CBOE/BATS NYSE/Arca/AMEX NASDAQ/PHLX/ISE Other: BOX,MIAX, etc Listener question: Question from JVao - Sell put + buy call = long delta exposure = cheaper than buying the underlying = maximizing skew = why does everyone not do this? Around the Block: What's coming up this week? Earnings! Tuesday - Nike, FedEx Thursday - GameStop This week in the market: Mar 22: Existing Home Sales Mar 23: Jobless Claims, New Home Sales Mar 24: Durable Goods

Trading Block: The stock market slipped following Fed rate-hike rally, declining in oil prices. The U.S. equity benchmarks slipped Thursday as investors reconsidered the Wednesday rally. Odd Block: Calls trade in GoPro Inc (GPRO), calls trade in Hecla Mining Co. (HL) and calls trade in Momo Inc (MOMO) Strategy Block: Andrew Giovinazzi discusses closing trades in his strategy block debut. Mail Block: Options #QuestionoftheWeek $VIX = 11.50, $SNAP IV30 =56, $AAPL IV30 = 14, $OIV= 33. If you had to buy #Volatility-which is the best value? 22% - $SNAP - aka Tween Vol 19% - $AAPL - aka #Iphone Vol 35% - $VIX - aka $VIX 24% - $OIV -aka #Crude $VIX Listener questions and comments: Question from NanFran - Tomorrow is a triple witching hour. What does that mean for options? Question from Goose - What is the difference between weekly options and standard options? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Mar 17: Industrial Production, Consumer Sentiment