Trading Block: OCC announced that total cleared contract volume in February was 333,411,251 contracts, 1% from February 2016 volume. Index options volume was up 11% with 39,247,030 contracts in February. An escalating broker price war has begun. Odd Block: Puts trade in iShares Iboxx $High Yield Corp (HYG), calls trade in NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) and calls trade in Dicks Sporting Goods (DKS). Mail Block: Options #QuestionOfTheWeek #Oscars Edition. #WarrenBeatty screwed up Best Picture. What's your biggest #Options screwup? 37% - Held onto shorts too long 37% - Time Decay killed me 11% - Gamma Exploded In My Face 15% - Vega Snuck up on My Delta Listener replies: Comment from Matt Benson - Calls in TSLA last week, lol (in response to OQOTW) Comment from John Dakota - Too soon to tell. My one mistake was putting an Iron Butterfly on wrong had to lose 20 and a DT for it. Just took off BBY for 200+! #QuestionOfTheWeek, part deux SNAP #Options arrive Friday. Assuming $SNAP is still $25 - price the 1-week straddle exp. 3/17 (aka how much movement) Between $1 - $2 Between $2 - $3 Between $3 - $4 Over $4 Listener questions and comments: Question from Hopgrower - Mark and The meatball, love your shows. My question is as follows: How much heart burn does this thought process give you. I have a directional bias and I buy a slightly in the money call 45 to 60 days out. The stock moves in my favor then stalls or retraces slightly. I then turn it into a vertical. Please fire away. Always learning. Thanks, Hopgrower Question from Tom Drake - Whats up with Mike's SLV collar? Question from Sean - You have discussed closing positions prior to earnings on past shows. Why would I take an OTM options off the table before the announcement? Is that not exactly when I want to have the option? Around the Block:/This Week in the Market: Mar 6: Factory Orders Mar 7: International Trade Mar 8: Productivity and Costs Mar 9: Jobless Claims Mar 10: Unemployment Mar 10: Export Prices

Trading Block featuring special guest Ophir Gottlieb, CEO of Capital Market Laboratories, Editor in Chief @CMLviz SNAP: The first big IPO of the year is off to the races. Supposed to list at $17, opened at $24 and traded up to nearly $26, up over 50% from the listing price. Earnings earlier in the week: Tuesday - Target Wednesday - Best Buy Earnings today: After the bell - Costco Odd Block: Puts trade in Shake Shack Inc (SHAK), calls trade in Sirius XM Holdings (SIRI) and calls trade in Dollar Tree (DLTR). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses profit-taking scenarios. Mail Block: Options #QuestionOfTheWeek #Oscars Edition. #WarrenBeatty screwed up Best Picture. What's your biggest #Options screwup? 37% - Held onto shorts too long 37% - Time Decay killed me 11% - Gamma Exploded In My Face 15% - Vega Snuck up on My Delta Options Pop Quiz - If $SNAP opens at $17 what price would you give the ATM straddle expiring 3/10? AKA how much movement do you expect? Between $1 - $2 Between $2 - $3 Between $3 - $4 Over $4 Around the Block/This Week in the Market: It is a very heavy week as far as economic reports go with a bulk of them coming on Tuesday and Wednesday. Where did February go? Mar 2 - Jobless Claims

Trading Block: Dow sets sights on 12th straight record close. PCLN - $1631.25, ATM straddle approx. $69, approx. 4.2%. Odd Block: Calls trade in CurrencyShares Euro Trust (FXE), calls trade in SPDR Euro Stoxx 50 (FEZ) and calls trade in Square Inc. (SQ). Mail Block: Questions, polls, and more. Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - #Oscars Edition. #WarrenBeatty screwed up Best Picture. What is your biggest #Options screwup? Held onto shorts too long Time decay killed me Gamma exploded in my face Vega snuck up on my delta Listener questions and comments Question from Gabe Rich - Hi guys. Do you know of any instance where automatic assignment/exercise by the OCC failed? I am selling a lot of put spreads lately and I have this nightmare that if the stock drops (market crush) and my spread ends up big time in the money. It will be assigned the short leg but not exercised the long leg. Thus creating a huge stock position that might be fatal. I just wonder if that ever happened, something along the lines of flash crush but for options. I am assuming this automatic assignment/exercise process is computerized, and it could be subject to failures. This could be an interesting discussion with your panel of experts, with decades of experience! Thanks, and looking forward for some thoughts. Comment from Game Daydog -Just had a successful vertical spread and wanted to thank you for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and try different option strategies. That Iron Condor is next, even though it sounds like a move from an old kung-fu movie! Around the Block: This Week in the Market: Feb 28 - GDP, International Trade, Consumer Confidence Mar 1 - Construction Spending, Beige Book Mar 2 - Jobless Claims Earnings this week: Tuesday - Target Wednesday - Best Buy Thursday - Costco

Trading Block: Earnings! Earlier this week: Tuesday - Home Depot, Macy's, Wal-Mart; Wednesday - Tesla, Fitbit TSLA: Close - $273.51, ATM straddle - $17.16, approx. 6%, Open - $264.08, down 3.4% FITBIT: Close - $5.88, ATM straddle - $.76, approx. 13%, Open - $5.92, effectively unchanged Earnings today: Before the bell - Kohls; After the bell - Nordstrom, BIDU, Herbalife NYSE plans a trial run for Snap IPO. Odd Block: Calls trade in Carmax Inc (KMX), calls trade in Scientific Games Corp (SGMS) and calls trade in Fireeye Inc (FEYE) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses specifics in a covered call wheel strategy Mail Block: Quiz, questions and comments Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - $VIX has already hit single digits under @realDonaldTrump. How low will it get during the rest of his term? It will not break 10 again Between 9 -10 Between 8 - 9 Below 8 Listener feedback: Question from Bigtonutz - 9372 $WY Jul21 35 calls went up in 1 block on the PHLX. Are they looking for this to probably going above 35 by July? Oh another question since I asked the other one and you did not answer, ahhh why do insiders keep selling shares? Do they feel this will drop for some reason? Just want to get your opinion. Around the Block: Earnings Friday: JC Penney; Earnings next week: Best Buy, Costco, Target

Trading Block: Earnings earlier this week. Tuesday - Potbelly, T-Mobile Wednesday - PepsiCo, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., Groupon, Marriott International Earnings today. AVP - Crush, stock down 17% intraday. Odd Block: Calls trade in Himax Technologies, Inc (HIMX), Calls trade in Health Care SPDR (XLV), Calls and puts trade in Mondelez International Inc (MDLZ). Mail Block: #Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - Trading single #Calls and #Puts is fine, but smart #Options traders use spreads. What is your go-to spread? - Vertical/Ratio Vertical - Calendar/Diagonal - Butterfly/ Iron Butterfly - Iron Condor Question from Gramercy - So I am interested in $ATVI ahead of earnings. I buy 1 Feb 39.50 call for $1.50. The stock opens up the next day and I sell it out for $5. What am I missing? Why does everyone say this earnings stuff is so hard? Question from NIZ - Are there options on Snap? *Note from IPO filing - “Like many burgeoning tech startups, Snap warned that it “may never achieve or maintain profitability.” Question from Mark Tucker - You think MaxPain was the reason to hold $AAPL below $132.40 for closing? Rest of Nasdaq seemed bright green. Thoughts? Thank you. Question from Richard R. - At 14:00 of episode 553 you stat that a $6 straddle was pricing an 8% move following earnings. Is this just the current ATM straddle? Around the Block: The market will be closed Monday, February 20 for Presidents Day. This week in the market - Feb 16: Jobless Claims, Housing Starts Earnings next week - TSLA, BIDU

Trading Block: Earnings! Apple did not reach all time highs, but its close price is an all time highs. All time highs happened on April 28, 2015 @ 134.54. MIAX launches 15th options exchange with MIAX-Pearl. ICE Cool on Options: Speaking at the Credit Suisse Financial Services Forum in Miami Beach, Fla., Jeff Sprecher, founder, CEO, and chairman of ICE, painted a less than rosy picture of the options market. Odd Block: Calls trade in True Car Inc (TRUE), calls trade in Union Pacific Corp (UNP) and puts trade in Amgen, Inc (AMGN) Mail Block: Questions, comments, quizzes. Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - Trading single #Calls and #Puts is fine, but smart #Options traders use spreads. What is your go-to spread? Vertical/Ratio Vertical Calendar/Diagonal Butterfly/ Iron Butterfly Iron Condor Listener question: Question from Game Day Dog - Hi. I have done well buying calls & puts, but have been practicing with credit & debit vertical spreads - see the DPZ trade picture. I am worried about max risk. How is this different than selling a naked option if my 195 protection is OTM at expiration? Can you discuss the "surprises" or things to watch for with vertical spreads? Thanks & great show. Around the Block: What is on the radar for the rest of this week? Earnings this Week: Tuesday: Potbelly, T-Mobile Wednesday: PepsiCo, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., Groupon, Marriott International Thursday: Time Inc., Waste Management This Week in the Market Feb 14: Producer Price Index Feb 15: Consumer Price Index, Retail Sales, Industrial Production, Business Inventories Feb 16: Jobless Claims, Housing Starts

Trading Block: Oil prices prop up Wall Street; NASDAQ hits record high. MIAX launches 15th options exchange with MIAX-Pearl. Earnings Today: Before the bell: Coca-Cola, Dunkin Brands Group, Twitter, Viacom After the bell: Activision, Nvidia, Zinga DIS (earnings on Tuesday): Close: $109 - ATM straddle: $3.50, approx. 3.2%; Open: $109.52 - traded as high as $11.42, up 2.2% Other earnings earlier this week: Tuesday:General Motors, Walt Disney Company, Take Two Interactive Wednesday: GrubHub, Time Warner Odd Block: Calls trade in Foot Locker Group (FL), calls trade in Chesapeake Energy Co (CHK) and calls trade in Dicks Sporting Goods Inc (DKS) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses his recent trades in Chevron. Mail Block: Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - With so many different #Options expiration cycles available (weekly, etc) - which duration do you prefer? Longer than 1 month Monthly Weekly Daily/Intra-day Listener Questions Question from EdwardUhs - Hey guys, what do you think about CMG? (from Mixlr chat on Monday 2/6) Around The Block/This Week in the Market: Quarterly earnings continue to roll in as expected economic reports are very slow up until Friday. Feb 9: Jobless Claims Feb 10: Import and Export Prices, Consumer Sentiment, Treasury Budget  

Trading Block: Earnings Today Before the bell - Hasbro After the bell - CBOE Holdings, Twenty-First Century Fox But there is more than just earnings. OCC announces Total Cleared Contract Volume was down 9% in January. The Snapchat IPO looms ahead. Odd Block: Calls trade in S&P 500 VIX Short Term (VXX), puts trade in T-Mobile Inc (TMUS), alls trade in TrueCar Inc (TRUE). Mail Block: Options #QuestionOfTheWeek Time for another Earnings #StraddleBattle : Which stock will outperform its straddle by the largest margin? 35% - Apple (AAPL) (ACTUAL WINNER) 13% - Facebook (FB) 39% - Amazon (AMZN) 13% - Chipotle (CMG) Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - With so many different #Options expiration cycles available (weekly, etc) - which duration do you prefer? Longer than 1 month Monthly Weekly Daily/Intra-day Listener question: Question from In-to-it - Why can I not trade options on the Super Bowl? Around the Block: Earnings! Tuesday: General Motors, Walt Disney Company, Take Two Interactive Wednesday: GrubHub, Time Warner Thursday: Twitter, Coca-Cola, Dunkin Brands Group, Activision, Nvidia, Zinga This Week in the Market: Feb 7: International Trade Feb 9: Jobless Claims Feb 10: Import and Export Prices, Consumer Sentiment Feb 10: Treasury Budget

Trading Block: Earnings edition AAPL: Closed: $121.35, ATM Straddle: $4.25 approx. 3.5%. Opened: $127.09 - up 4.7%, traded as high as $130.49 - up 7.5%. iPhone 7 sales blew away estimates. Apple still sitting on over a quarter of a trillion in cash - excluding debt. FB: Closed: $133.23, ATM Straddle: $6.70 approx. 5%. traded as high as $135.29 - up 1.5%, today down to $130.70, approx. 2% After the bell: Amazon, Chipotle, Visa, GoPro AMZN: $839.75, ATM Straddle: $41.50 - approx. 5% CMG: $424.1, ATM Straddle: $20.55 - approx. 5% GOPRO: $10.88, ATM Straddle: $1.25 - approx. 11.5% Odd Block: Calls trade in Alcoa Inc (AA), calls trade in MetLife Inc (MET) and calls trade in Nordstrom, Inc (JWN). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses hedging Apple going into earnings Mail Block: Options #QuestionOfTheWeek Time for another Earnings #StraddleBattle : Which stock will outperform its straddle by the largest margin? Apple (AAPL) Facebook (FB) Amazon (AMZN) Chipotle (CMG) Listener Questions and Comments Question from Geoff - Are straddles really better than analysts estimates for predicting stocks? Question from Bob - Concerning earnings - I have been told to take an ATM call and a put and add them together and that is the expected move. Is that correct? Around the Block: Numbers on the horizon Feb 3: Unemployment Feb 3: Factory Orders

Trading Block: Earnings today include Apple, Under Armour. Odd Bock: Call writer in Coach Inc. (COH), call spreads trade in Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ) and calls trade in Pfizer Inc. (PFE) Mail Block: Questions, comments, and more. Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - Time for another earnings straddle battle. Which company will outperform their earnings straddle by the largest margin? Apple - $AAPL Facebook - $FB Amazon - $AMZN Chipotle - $CMG Listner questions: Question from Michael Gavriel - Hey guys, I appreciate all the programming. As far as I can tell, the Option Block podcasts sort of arrive a day late. Maybe its my podcast client? I have not looked into it. What I mean is - for example, the recent Option Block show - Option Block 572, it seems like that is a recap of Thursdays action. But when is it published? I sort of 'need' it to be published on Thursday night i.e. the 10th, or very early in the morning, I guess, on the 11th, if I am going to sort of use it to keep me abreast of action ahead of the trading day? Just curious if this is just how your guys schedules work, maybe you record the next morning, and release mid day, in which case I am a bit out of luck in terms of it being a super timely source. But if it is something I am doing wrong on my end, please do let me know! Thanks. Question from Tom - What does this article mean? Question from Koukas - Researchers say we were in the most narrow equity range since 1933 just before the elction. What's the best way to trade that? Sell out a far out straddle? Around the Block: Earnings! AAPL, XOM, CMG, AMZN. Trump Twitter watch. Confirmations.

Trading Block: Earnings! Before the bell: Southwest, Caterpillar After the bell: Alphabet, PayPal, E-Trade, Microsoft, Intel GOOGL - $852.70. ATM Straddle: $34, approx. 4% MSFT - $64.05. ATM Straddle: $2.75, approx. 4.3% INTC - $37.6. ATM Straddle: $1.25, approx. 3.3% PAYPAL - $41.52. ATM Straddle: $2.12, approx. 5% SBUX - $58.51. ATM Straddle: $2.20, approx. 3.7% Odd Block: Calls trade in Kate Spade Co. (KATE), calls trade in Technology SPDR (XLK) and puts trade in JPMorgan Alerian MLP index (AMJ) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses dollar-cost averaging Mail Block: Questions, comments, polls, and more. Options #QuestionOfTheWeek: Lots of earnings on the horizon. Which company will outperform their earnings straddle by the largest margin? Alphabet - $GOOGL Microsoft - $MSFT Intel - $INTC Starbucks - $SBUX Listener questions: Question from Tim Avery - If I choose an advisor that uses options do they traditionally charge higher fees than straight-up equity advisors? Question from Kddidy - I managed to buy 100 NAK Feb 3.00 Puts at .25 when the stock was trading at $3.30. Do you have any idea how this could happen? I am not sure if I should feel lucky or stupid. Question from Yukoner - Are covered calls still a viable strategy in a 401k these days? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Jan 26: Jobless Claims, International Trade, New Home Sales Jan 27: Durable Goods, GDP, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: The Trump Effect: President Donald Trump is set to unleash a cascade of stock-market anxiety - The day of reckoning for the Wall Street is here. McDonalds (MCD) earnings today. Friday close - $122.26; ATM Straddle - $3.52, approx. 3%; Open down $.75, Traded as low as $2.44; No more love for all-day breakfast. Odd Block: Calls and puts trade in Morgan Stanley (MS), calls trade in Home Depot Inc (HD) and calls trade in Lending Club Corp (LC) Mail Block: Questions, Comments, Polls, and more Options #QuestionOfTheWeek Earnings Season awakens! How do you play earnings using options? Are you an Earnings #Jedi or #Sith? 41% - Dark Side (Short Premium) 26% - Light Side (Long Premium) 25% - No Side - Avoid earnings 08% - Other (Reply/DM w/ideas) Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - Lots of earnings on the horizon. Which company will outperform their earnings straddle by the largest margin? Alphabet - $GOOGL Microsoft - $MSFT Intel - $INTC Starbucks - $SBUX Listener questions and comments Comment from Steve Place - CREE it is always CREE Question from Chris - Is there a way to subscribe to your posts as they go up on the website so you can get notified via email or mobile phone? Thanks, Chris Question from Fundconcept - Do you think activist investors opportunities will rise considering their experience with mkt volatility? Around the Block/Earnings Highlights this Week: Tuesday - Alibaba Group, Verizon, Johnson & Johnson, 3M, Kimberly-Clark Wednesday - Boeing, Abbott Labs, eBay, Qualcomm, AT&T Thursday - Alphabet, PayPal, E-Trade, Microsoft, Southwest, Caterpillar, Intel Friday - Honeywell

Trading Block: Stocks tumble ahead of Trump inauguration - Dow off 100. Netflix: Another crazy earnings for NFLX. Close = $133.26, straddle = $12.60 / 9.5%. Spiked to $145 in the after-hours, opened at $142 today. How a one-two, Trump-Yellen punch may move interest rates. Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses the importance of event risk Odd Block: Puts trade in 3D Systems Corp (DDD); Calls trade in Avon Products, Inc (AVP); Calls trade in Union Pacific Corp (UNP) Mail Block/Options QuestionOfTheWeek: Earnings Season awakens! How do you play earnings using options? Are you an Earnings #Jedi or #Sith? Dark Side (Short Premium) Light Side (Long Premium) No Side - Avoid earnings Other (Reply/DM w/ideas) Listener questions and comments: Comment from Scott Francis - Generally most short with puts unless stock has been hammered then you get short squeeze Question from Piggyback - Learned about Lightspeed from the last show. Checked out their site and saw $.60 per contract but didn't see a ticket charge. Do they have one? Answer from Kevin:No ticket charge on options. We will tier commissions based on activity, at the lowest activity level we will charge $0.60/contract with $1.00 min. (So a 5 lot is $3.00, a 1 lot will be $1.00.) We can go down to $0.20/contact for active accounts, tiering schedule is on our website. Mention Option Insider when you call Lightspeed we will give them another nickel off the commission. Question from Ski -As for the repealing and recall of Obamacare. How do you price LEAPs on spider biotech? Someone bought 340 Jan 2018 55 Puts on XBI. Is this a bet on the repel of Obamacare? If so, are LEAP puts a good way to go? Question from Sean - If a trader thought that a price was going down, would a put not have been the best trade in the asian session? Around the Block: This Week in the Market -Jan 19: Jobless Claims, Housing Starts Earnings This Week Thursday - Union Pacific - Thursday am; IBM - Thursday pm riday General Electric, Procter & Gamble Co.  

Trading Block: Stocks sharply lower: Dow drops about 150 points. Who can slow down the Amazon juggernaut? Odd Block: Calls trade in Cheasepeake Energy (CHK), puts trade in Fiat Chrysler Auto NV (FCAU) and puts trade in Ford Motor Co (F). Mail Block: #QuestionOfTheWeek $VIX hit a high of 28 last year. How high will $VIX get in 2017? About the same (27-29) Slightly Lower (24-26) Slightly Higher (30 - 33) Much Higher (Above 33) Listner questions and comments: Question from Ian Wagner: Overheard at #STACMWM retail #options panel: "Customers are market-takers. They do not deserve to trade on our bid." This would seem to be a pretty profound statement. Can you discuss on #OptionBlock? Comment from Max: Who can stop Amazon? Well Trump surely can. Question from RealRX: Hey fellas! Heavy call buying OTM in Bank of America. In particular the Jan 25.5 call expiring on the 20th, and other bank stocks. Looks like protection again massive short sales since smart money usually buys iTM (could be wrong). Do you guys see this as a sign of bearish sentiment on financials with the dollar weakness, multiple rate hikes priced in, etc? Smells funny to me. Comment from The Real Justin: I am think gold will continue to run up to inauguration. Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Jan 13: PPI, Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment Earnings Highlights this Week Thursday - Delta Airlines Friday - Bank of America, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, PNC, Blackrock

Trading Block: Oil drop stymies the Dows march to 20,000. Tech stocks send Nasdaq to record, Apple is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the iPhone. Gold prices settle at highest level in nearly 6 weeks. The options market is not too worried about retail (XRT) woes, but should it be? Is Amazon.com the mall killer? Odd Block: Calls trade in 3D System Corp (DDD), calls trade in IAMGOLD Corp (IAG) and calls trade in Direxion Daily Junior Gold Minors (JNUG). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses trading silver and other metals. Around the Block: This Week in the Market Jan 10: JOLTS Jan 12: Jobless Claims, Treasury Budget Jan 13: PPI, Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment Earnings this Week Thursday - Delta Airlines Friday - Bank of America, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, PNC, Blackrock

Trading Block: Looking back at 2016! The thrills of victory. The agonies of defeat. Odd Block: Andrew's favorite Odd Block trades from 2016 Big winner: Calls trade in Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX). Size upside calls trade (buy Jun expiration $5 ITM) - 2/4/16 Favorite House Money Roll: Calls trade in Advanced Mico Devices Inc. (AMD). Calls roll up in Jan 2017 - 8/23/16 Big Jury is still out: Calls trade in Financial Select SPDR (XLF). Size calls trade - 11/17 Mail Block: Happy New Year! First #QuestionOfTheWeek for 2017. Total #Options volume dropped 2% last year. How will 2017 #Options volume compare? About the Same (+- .5%) Modest Increase (up 1-2%) Modest Drop (down 1-2%) Big Change (+- over 2%) Listener questions   Question from Scott - I benefited from your unusual activity report (of course there is due diligence on my part). Thank you! Do you have any subscription service for unusual activity? More in depth? Great insight, loved how you filtered the noise. Happy New Year!!" Question from WilliamPZE - Does it make sense to buy Rite Aids puts March 7, as Walgreens will close the deal on 01-27-17? Your reply is much appreciated. Thanks, Bill Question from RealRK - I just entered the industry. I passed the 7 and 66, but I will not be doing a lot in the options arena aside from hedging. I have a lot of time in the next month, do you guys have suggestions for furthering options knowledge and possibly becoming a specialist in the few years? Comment from ELXDX86 - Options Bootcamp is THE best way to start learning options! Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Nonfarms payrolls for December on Friday, Jan 6.

Trading Block: A look back at the year 2016 in the options market. An overview of Lightspeed Trading with guest co-host Kevin Ott. Oil falls for the first time in nine days as U.S. crude supplies climb. Odd Block: Calls trade in Moblieye NV (MBLY), calls roll in Jetblue Corp (JBLU), puts trade in Kinross Gold (KGC). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses 1256 contracts Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from Trader Taz1 - Do you have a broker recommendation for someone who is new to options? Maybe with a cash account since I do not want to do margin? Question from Yukoner - Are covered calls still a viable strategy in a 401k these days? Question from JLN84 - I bought a call on a major equity that is now in-the-money. What is my next step? Do I need to do something to get the stock? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Will be a lighter trading week as many traders and investors will be taking the week off because of the holidays. There are a couple of economic reports worth noting listed below. Happy New Year! Dec 27: Consumer Confidence Dec 28: Pending Home Sales Dec 29: Jobless Claims Dec 29: International Trade

Trading Block: Gold, the Fed and volatility on this last episode before the holiday weekend. Odd Block: Calls trade in Globalstar, Inc. (GSAT), calls roll in Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd (KORS) and call buyers in Eldorado Gold Corp (EGO) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses the strategy of "boxing off" Mail Block: Options question of the week, listener questions and comments #QuestionOfTheWeek: Major market indices are pushing record highs. Everyone has protection on the brain. How do you protect your portfolio? Just Move to Cash/Bonds Protective ATM/OTM Put Put Spread/Ratio Put Spread Collar or Collar with a Kicker Question from Yukoner - Are covered calls still a viable strategy in a 401k these days? Question from Trader Taz1 - Do you have a broker recommendation for someone who is new to options? Maybe with a cash account, since I do not want to do margin? Around the Block: Not much happening in the last week of the year.

Trading Block: The polar vortex might have snuck into the S&P, a narrow range of movement today. Vol off half a handle. How likely is the Fed to make an announcement before the end of the year? Odd Block: Calls trade in GlobalStar, Inc (GSAT), calls trade in Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and calls trade in Energy Transfer Equity LP (ETE). Mail Block: Listener questions, comments, and opinions #QuestionOfTheWeek: Financial advisors represent the last options frontier. What level of options knowledge do you expect from your advisor? None: I will do it myself Level 1: Buy Puts/Calls Level 2: Income & Vol Level 3:Option Specialist Listener questions: Question from Roiratpd81: @Options thanks! I am a new trader. How should I interpret this chart? Say for BAC? Thanks! Question from Hitman - Is the crash priced in yet? What about black sawn events? Any options indicators showing one of those may be on the horizon? Question from Martin Stann - I like to trade the 2X levered SSO ETF. What are your thoughts on this and is it a viable candidate for call writing and put writing? Question from Aldo2 - Hey Mark, Lobster and UM. Just wanted to get your guys thoughts on Vanguard as an options broker. I know most people use them for mutual funds but I have most of my assets there. Is it a viable platform for the type of trading you guys advocate? Hope you're surviving the big chill in Chicago. Around the Block: Expecting a very quiet week.

Trading Block: The market and everything else rallied. Vol drops. Fed forecasting. What's the scoop with the shiny stuff? Odd Block: Call trade in Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF), call spreads trade in Michael Kors Holding LTD (KORS), calls trade in KEY Corp. (KEY) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses how to choose a financial advisor. Around the Block: The Fed has spoken. Now what?

Trading Block: Stocks mixed as Dow hits another new record high, flirting with 20,000. Crude and XLE up too. Wealthy investors show a Trump bump in confidence, UBS Wealth Management Americas reported Thursday. Odd Block: Puts trade in Transocean ltd (RIG), calls and puts trade in SPDR S&P 500 trust (SPY) and calls trade in Hain Celestial Group (HAIN). Mail Block: Question of the week and listener questions #QuestionOfTheWeek: Financial advisors represent the last options frontier. What level of options knowledge do you expect from your advisor? None: I will do it myself Level 1: Buy Puts/Calls Level 2: Income & Vol Level 3: Option Specialist Question from Adam Sam - Hello again... I figured out a way to predict the direction of the market for the day with 75% accuracy. I am wondering what would be the smartest way to trade this info? Should i sell the opposite options OTM with 45 days? And buy them back at the end of the day? Or buy OTM in the direction it will move? I cannot predict the after hours so i want to get out at the end of the day. How would you hedge such trade? Thank you Question from BGT - What happens to options if the fed raises rates in December? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Dec 12 - Treasury Budget Dec 13 - Import and Export Dec 14 - PPI, Retail Sales, FOMC Dec 15 - Jobless Claims, CPI Dec 16 - Housing Starts Earning Highlights: Thursday - Adobe, Oracle

Trading Block: Stocks rise as NASDAQ joins Dow, S&P and notch new record highs. Understanding the minutiae of VIX. The Tao of Don: Sell or sell not. There is no buy. Odd Block: Calls trade in CBOE Holding Inc (CBOE), Massive calls trade in Financial Select SPDR (XLF), Calls trade in Bank of America Corp (BAC). Strategy Block: Uncle Tosaw discusses trading collars in Apple Mail Block/Options#QuestionOfTheWeek: #CrudeOil has been volatile lately. $OIV, aka Oil $VIX, is 37.33. Where will #Crude #Volatility close on Friday? Between 37 - 38.5 Between 38.5 - 40 Below 37 Above 40 Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Dec 9: Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: CBOE sets record volume with S&P 500 Index and CBOE Volatility Index in November. Apple still up on the year. What might next year look like? Lululemon on Wednesday closed $57.16. The ATM straddle is trading at $5.35, or approx. 9%. Odd Block: Puts trade in Barrick Gold Corp (ABX), Calls trade in Market Vectors Russia ETF (RSX), Calls trade in Pandora Media Inc (P) Mail Block/Options#QuestionOfTheWeek: #CrudeOil has been volatile lately. $OIV, aka Oil $VIX, is 37.33. Where will #Crude #Volatility close on Friday? Between 37 - 38.5 Between 38.5 - 40 Below 37 Above 40 Question from Trader Chad - Are ATM straddles really a good way of predicting a stock or are they just more noise like whisper numbers? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Dec 6: International Trade, Factory Orders Dec 7: JOLTS Dec 8: Jobless Claims Dec 9: Consumer Sentiment Earnings Highlights: Tuesday - Toll Brothers, Autozone Wednesday - Costco, Lululemon

Trading Block: Earnings after the bell today: TD Ameritrade, Krogers, Lands End, Dollar General. OCC cleared contract volume increased 20% in November. Why was November such a massive month for markets around the world? XLE up 8% since Tuesday. Volume 1.5x ADV, calls slightly over puts.USO up over 10% since Tuesday - volume 2x ADV, calls over puts 2-to-1. VOLUME 2X ADV TODAY, CALLS OVER PUTS 2-TO-1. Trump plan to dismantle Dodd-Frank unlikely to be realized, says TABB Group. Odd Block: (Review from Monday) Calls and puts trade in SPDR S&P Oil and Gas Exp (XOP), alls trade in Financial Select SPDR (XLF), calls trade in Seadrill LTD (SDRL) and calls trade in Ford Motor Co. (F). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses his new modified collar strategy. Mail Block/Options#QuestionOfTheWeek: Commodities are capturing a lot of attention and generating a lot of #Volatility. What's your option of choice? $GLD / Comex Gold $USO / $WTI $TLT / ED / 10YR EUR/USD, GPB/USD Question from Go Hoos - If I buy 10,000 XYZ calls at $1 and sell them for $2, who loses that $1M? The MMs who make $$ on expired option premiums? TIA! Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Friday - Nonfarm payrolls

Trading Block: Jobs report and the Fed set the holiday table this week. Opinion: How the "Trump bump" to the U.S. economy could fall flat? Odd Block: Calls trade in VALE SA (VALE), calls and puts trade in SPDR S&P Oil and Gas Exp (XOP) and calls trade in ArcelorMittal SA (MT) Mail Block/Options#QuestionOfTheWeek: Commodities are capturing a lot of attention and generating a lot of #Volatility. What is your option of choice? $GLD / Comex Gold $USO / $WTI $TLT / ED / 10YR EUR/USD, GPB/USD Listener questions: Listeners have their say Question from Marco - Trading on election night was horses**t! What can an options trader do when the futures are plummeting but the options are not open? So frustrating. Question from Chris Brecher - Is legal pot driving squeeze in $DRYS? Debating now on. Maybe if I was high, I would have believed all the bull flags on the way up:) Around the Block/Earnings Highlights: Tuesday - Tiffany & Co. Thursday - TD Ameritrade, Krogers, Lands End, Dollar General

Trading Block: Stocks jump as S&P 500 and Nasdaq set new record highs. Goldman insiders underwater options were salvaged by the Trump election.There are still earnings being released. Earnings today: Tyson Foods (before the bell) Palo Alto Networks (after the bell) Odd Block: Calls trade in NRG Energy Inc (NRG), calls trade in Ultra DJ - AIG Crude Oil ProShares (UCO) and calls trade in Cypress Semiconductor Corp (CY). Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from RealRK - Juice for free is always nice. I would have never thought of mixing in the call time spread. Musk uses the massive short interest, tweets and it goes up ten points. Thanks fellas! Also, check out the call/put ratio on CY (Cypress Semiconductors). OI near and out of the money in the next three months contracts shows huge call buying (Probably 100 million plus in value). Buyout rumors, so I got long a small amount of January 11 calls. Let me know what you guys think Thursday! Thanks Options#QuestionOfTheWeek Great traders need many weapons in their arsenals. But everyone has a favorite. What is yours? Reply/DM w/others. Vertical/Ratio Vertical Iron Condor/Iron Fly Straddle/Strangle Covered Call/Short Put Addition from Options_Addict - Options ratio spreads and naked purchases. More questions: Question from Rico Landa - Did you guys see this? Is Cuban talking about buying puts or something else? Guess he has a savvy financial advisor? Question from JNic - When the market is rallying like it is now what is wrong with just buying calls? Seems to work or is that just too basic? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Nov 22: Existing Home Sales Nov 23: Durable Goods, Jobless Claims, New Home Sales, Consumer Sentiment, FOMC Minutes Nov 24: Thanksgiving Day, markets closed Nov 25: International Trade, Markets close at 1:00 pm Eastern.

Trading Block: A mild market rally today. VIX cash back below the 14-handle. TSLA recovering from some recent losses; was up over 2% at mid-day. Yellen says Fed might hike interest rates relatively soon. Jobless claims in U.S. declined to lowest level in four decades. Odd Block: Size calls trade in Financial Select SPDR (XLF), calls trade in Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and puts trade in Freeport Mc MoRan Inc. (FCX). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses trading in IBB Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from Mike The Bookie - Yeah, the ETF based volatility indexes. Is here a good place to bracket UVXY or VXX? Question from Ian Wagner ‏- Why trade volatility vs direction or income? Preference? More favorable risk/reward profile. Around the Block/Earning Highlights this Week: Friday - Foot Locker, Abercrombie & Fitch

Trading Block: U.S. stock market Trump rally loses steam. Oil gets left behind in post-Trump rally. Trump presidency raises questions on the future of Wall St. regulation. Odd Block: Calls trade in Canadian Natural Resources LTD (CNQ), calls trade in Financial Select SPDR (XLF) and calls trade in Square Inc (SQ) Mail Block/Options #Question of the Week: $TSLA ($182.50, down 3%, IV30:41, HV30:31) Straddle says $8.20 move (4.5%) by Friday close. How much will $TSLA actually move In line: ($8-$8.50) Beat Straddle: > $8 Less than Straddle: Sick of #Musk / $TSLA Listener questions: Question from Moolla - WTF is up with $DRYS? Thing is going nuts - takeover? Lots of calls trading? Comment from Burgh83: Can you explain what that means exactly?...thanks, I'm trying to figure options out still. But holding MRO, want to buy more... Around the Block/Earnings Highlights: Tuesday - Home Depot, Dick's Sporting Goods Wednesday - Lowe's, Target, Cisco Thursday - Walmart, Best Buy, Salesforce Friday - Foot Locker, Abercrombie & Fitch

Trading Block: Volume in non-U.S. trading hours sets a new daily record. Pharma pop on Hillary loss. Earnings After the Bell: DIS - $95.72, ATM Straddle = $2.70, approx. 3% NVDA - $68, ATM Straddle = $5.40, approx. 8% JWN - $57.10, ATM Straddle = $4.85, approx. 8.5% Odd Block: Calls roll in YRC Worldwide Inc (YRC), calls trade in Huntington Bankshares Inc. (HBAN) and calls trade in Financial Select SPDR (XLF) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses what to do when you get called away from a covered call. Mail Block/Options #QuestionOfTheWeek: $SPX Weds Weekly straddle says 2% move through election. How much will SPX / $SPY move through Weds 11/9? Over 3% - crazy move Between 2-3% - big move Between 1-2% - mild move Less than 1% - meh Comment: Comment from Bongsong2: Trump win makes America great again. Around the Block: Checking back on the earnings straddles from the top of the show. Who will be in the Trump cabinet? Funky sector rotation. Will tech buyers show up?

Trading Block: Dow soars 300 points after FBI clears Clinton again. Are certain volatility funds raising election risk for the stock market? Earnings today after the bell Fogo de Chao Hertz Global Holdings Marriott International - ATM Straddle = $2.75, approx. 4% The Priceline Group - ATM Straddle = $82, approx. 5.5% Odd Block: Calls trade in SPDR KBW Bank ETF (KBE), calls and puts trade in iShares MSCI Mexico Fund (EWW) and puts trade in Marathon Oil Company (MRO) Mail Block/Options #QuestionOfTheWeek: $SPX Weds Weekly straddle says 2% move through election. How much will SPX / $SPY move through Weds 11/9? Over 3% - crazy move Between 2-3% - big move Between 1-2% - mild move Less than 1% - "meh" Listener questions: Question from RKintz - What do you guys think of out of the money puts on PBR? I noticed heavy buying across several expiries the last few weeks (possibly speculation of prolonged glut in oil supply) Question from Real RK - What do you guys think of being long a little less than one standard deviation puts OTM for Jan in everyones favorite hyperbolic name Tesla? Around the Block/Earning Highlights This Week: Tuesday - Valeant, CVS Health Wednesday - Valeant, Mylan, Shake Shack, Macys Thursday - The Walt Disney Company, Nvidia, Kohls, Nordstrom Friday - JCPenney

Trading Block: Wrapping up the week in options Earnings this Week: Alibaba (Wednesday before the bell). Close: $101.15, ATM Straddle: $5.46. Open up: $2.65, Traded up: $2.95. Facebook (Wednesday after the bell). Close: $127.17, ATM Straddle: $6.68. Open down: $5.17, Traded down: $7.56. Starbucks. Close: $52, ATM Straddle: $2.45 - 4.7% OCC cleared contract volume down 13% in October. Options #QuestionOfTheWeek: Special #Earnings, #Election, #WorldSeries edition $FB ATM strd=$7.30 $VIX=17.20. Which outcome is most likely? $VIX > 20 before election $FB beats ATM Straddle @realDonaldTrump wins @Cubs win World Series Odd Block: Calls trade in Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ITUB), puts trade in Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), calls trade in Powershares QQQ Trust (QQQ) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses ways to use money management in your favor Around the Block: Prescient polling...so many correct answers on the #QuestionOfTheWeek. Does that mean Trump will win?

Trading Block: The tumultuous presidential election could peak the VIX today. Emotional uncertain about the election? Stick to your investing plan. Odd Block: Calls trade in Metlife Inc. (MET), calls and puts trade in Holly Frontier Corp (HFC) and puts trade in Encana Corp (ECA). Mail Block/ Options #QuestionOfTheWeek: Special #Earnings, #Election, #WorldSeries edition $FB ATM strd=$7.30 $VIX=17.20. Which outcome is most likely? $VIX > 20 before election $FB beats ATM Straddle @realDonaldTrump wins @Cubs win World Series Listener questions Question from Nickel 45: Your talk of the P&G and COTY arb had my head spinning. So I did some research and came across terms like "put squeeze" and "GEX." Now my head is spinning even more. I included one of the links below for clarification. Is this stuff accurate or just noise? Thx. Question from PFC11: Whats up with $PG/Coty options arb? Any updates? Question from Barncat: I guess this is for the Options House crew. I am an Etrade customer but I am not happy with their platform. I have been thinking about making the switch to your firm for a few months. Will my account automatically switch over to Options House after the merger or I should I switch it manually now? Around the Block/Earnings Highlights this Week: Tuesday - Pfizer Wednesday - Alibaba, Facebook Thursday - Starbucks Friday - Berkshire Hathaway

Trading Block/Earnings Palooza! Before the Bell: TSLA: stock up 1.5%, $12.30 (6%) AAPL: stock closed $118.25, but dropped nearly $5 the next trading day - now trading around $115, straddle $5.25 (4.5%) TWTR: ATM straddle - $2.10, approx. 12% - stock nearly unchanged today. After the Bell: GOOG: ATM straddle - $39.45, approx. 5% AMZN: ATM straddle - $50 - approx. 6% Odd Block: Calls trade in Gilead Sciences Inc (GILD), calls trade in Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) calls trade in Marathon Petroleum Corp (MPC) Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses when you would sell a long-dated option. Mail Block/Options #QuestionOfTheWeek Is #Trumpocalypse done? Is $VIX already pricing in @HillaryClinton win? Where will $VIX close on election day? UNCHD (Between 12-14) Elevated (15-18) Spike (Over 18) Selloff (Below 12) Listener questions: Question from Trader Onki - I think you recently attended two trading conferences. Would you please share anything new for some of us retail traders who were not able to attend? Or if you already shared them, please direct me to right place? Question from ItsGoodUntilTheBearRaid - @Options Does this mean someone picked up 19k $8 calls? Refers to this article. Around the Block: The big story is the elections, even during earnings season. Will the VIX continue to roll up? 2016: A lot of up, a lot of down, but going nowhere.

Trading Block: Earnings today before the bell: T-Mobile USA, Inc. Earnings today after the bell: Visa Inc. S&P 500 Skew Unwind Shows Complacency Over Clinton Win: Analysis. TD Ameritrade to buy Scottrade in two-step deal with TD Bank: Read more. Odd Block: Calls trade in Fiat Chrysler Auto (FCAU), puts trade in Time Warner Inc. (TWX), calls and puts trade in CBS Corp. (CBS). Mail Block/QuestionOfTheWeek: Is #Trumpocalypse done? Is $VIX already pricing in @HillaryClinton win? Where will $VIX close on election day? Unchaged (Between 12-14) Elevated (15-18) Spike (Over 18) Selloff (Below 12) Listener question: Question from Mark Brant: How do funds get orders routed to floor traders? If OH hosts HFs please discuss, thx. Starting one to run the Big Kahuna and favor OH! Around the Block: Earnings Highlights This Week: Monday - Visa Tuesday - Apple Wednesday - Tesla Thursday - Alphabet, Amazon, Twitter Friday - Exxon Mobil This Week in the Market: Oct 25: Consumer Confidence Oct 26: International Trade, New Home Sales Oct 27: Jobless Claims, Durable Goods Oct 28: GDP, Consumer Sentiment

TRADING BLOCK Earnings highlights today: Before the bell: American Airlines, Dunkin Brands, Verizon Communications, Textron (TXT), Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and Union Pacific (UNP) After the bell: E*Trade Financial Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, PayPal Holdings The return of pit trading? CFTCs Massad wants access to automated trader source code. A Nasdaq speed upgrade is threatening IEX. Resources mentioned in the show: http://www.valuewalk.com/2016/10/cftc-automated-trading/ http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-nasdaq-speed-upgrade-is-threatening-iex-1476982856 ODD BLOCK Calls trade in Activision Blizzard, Inc (ATVI), calls trade in Groupon Inc (GRPN), puts trade in Bunge LTD. (BG) STRATEGY BLOCK Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses the Wash sale MAIL BLOCK Question from James T - What do you think about HIMX ? Question from TradeCraft - Are there options on carbon trading right? Do they trade much volume? Question from Trader Onki - MTG Earnings MGIC Investment Corporation is expected to report earnings tomorrow before open. I attached the OI book, Heavy volume 10K contracts -Oct 8 call -Nov 7 puts -Jan17 5 puts -Jan17 10 calls. Would you please share your thoughts? Thank AROUND THE BLOCK Earnings Highlights this Week: Friday - General Electric Company, Honeywell International, McDonalds Corporation

Trading Block: Earnings today before the bell: Bank of America (BAC) leading off before the market opened Monday with a positive result. Earnings today after the bell: IBM: $154.50, ADV 23K; Today over 50k, ATM Straddle: $6.50, approx. 4% Resources mentioned in the show: OptionsHouse blog Options market sees Netflix as a coiled spring ahead of earnings CEO sold millions in Wells Fargo stock before fraud revelations Odd Block: Calls trade in SPDR KBW Bank (KBE), calls trade in Bank of America Corp (BAC) and calls trade in 3D Systems Corp (DDD) Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from Adam - Could you please explain what it means to "gamma scalp" and why this is not called delta scalping? Thanks and your show has saved me a lot of money now that I have come to the dark side! Question from Ian Wagner - Why trade volatility vs direction or income? Preference? More favorable risk/reward profile? Around the Block/Earnings Highlights this Week: Tuesday - Dominos, Goldman Sachs, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, UnitedHealth. Wednesday - Abbott Labs, American Express, eBay, Mattel Thursday - American Airlines, Dunkin Brands, E*Trade Financial Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, PayPal, Verizon Communications Friday - General Electric Company, Honeywell International, McDonalds Corporation

Trading Block: Dow drops amid weak China data and rate fears. Will it be a cold winter? Will that spike energy prices? WTF Fed? Airline earnings Odd Block: Calls and puts trade in Johnson Controls Intl (JCI), call buyers in Blackstone Group LP (BX), calls trade in Tenet Healthcare Inc (THC) Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses income strategies. Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from TraderOnki Re: ULTA Guidance Increase - Wednesday Close: 238.97 - Thursday morning news: Ulta Beauty (ULTA) announced that is expects to report third quarter EPS of $1.35 to $1.38, up from prior expectations of $1.25 to $1.30. - Thursday Open: 246.35 - Stock traded as high as 266.74 (over 10%) as I write this 13:20 EST Looking at the yesterdays OI and Vol books - Oct 21 240 calls traded 1,066 contracts - Oct 21 230 puts traded 993 contracts - Oct 14 230 puts traded 680 contracts By looking at todays OI things I can say about yesterdays Vol - Most of Oct 21 240 calls were opening trades - Most of Oct 21 230 puts were closing trades - Most of Oct 14 230 puts were opening trades Would you please share some of your thoughts and conclusions about these trades? Do you think it was just a wide long strangle? Why do you think they closed the Oct 21 puts and opened more Oct 14 puts? Were they more certain about the timing of the news and wanted to decrease their insurance by buying cheaper puts??? Thank you in advance for your time. Question from Meravol - Interesting piece in current Modern Trader about selling break-even strangles. Have you seen? What are your thoughts of this technique? Is it me or are there new techniques for selling strangles all the time that always tend to blow out? Aren’t you better off selling IC or IB due to limited risk? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Oct 14: PPI, Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment Earning Highlights this week: Friday - Citigroup, JP Morgan, PNC Financial Services, Wells Fargo

Trading Block: Deutsche Bank says derivatives exposure fears overblown. Twitter shares plunge on report bidders are scarce. TWTR off 11% - back around $17.50. Dow soars as traders await earnings season; Nasdaq near record high. Odd Block: Calls trade in Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETE), calls trade in Boston Scientific Corp (BSX), and calls trade in Nabors Industries LTD (NBR). Mail Block/Options #QuestionOfTheWeek: What is your fav way to trade #Volatility? $VIX? $VXX? $XIV? $SPX? $SPY? Other? DM/Reply with alternatives? 42% - VIX Options/Futures 29% - VXX 18% - XIV 11% - S&P Strad/delta-neutral Listener question: Question from Jack Schwartz - RE: Stock Replacement Strategy. Hello Option Block All Stars. My question refers to the Stock Replacement Strategy you advocated on a recent episode (I'm sorry but I don't remember the episode number). The benefits you listed included reducing your capital outlay since equities can only be margined at 50% while options offer substantially higher leverage. So can I assume that I can receive the same benefits from this strategy using a stock future that I can using an equity option? Or are there elements that options provide that futures do not? Thanks. Jack. Around the Block/This Week in the Market: The Federal Reserve releases the notes from its last meeting. There are several other economic reports worth noting listed below as Alcoa kicks off another round of quarterly earnings. Oct 12: JOLTS, FOMC Minutes Oct 13: Jobless Claims, Treasury Budget Oct 14: PPI, Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment Earnings Highlights This Week: Tuesday - Alcoa Thursday - Delta Air Lines, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation Friday - Citigroup, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo

Trading Block: An anemic day in the market. Deutsche Bank does not need a bailout for now, IMF says. DB-$13.50; normal ADV is around 30k, today it was over 65k. Twitter shares plunge on report bidders are scarce. TWTR off 20%. Odd Block: Puts trade in JP MorganChase and Co. (JPM), calls trade in Wal-mart Stores, Inc (WMT), puts trade in Lowes Companies, Inc (LOW). Strategy Block: Mike discusses weekend risk. Mail Block/ Options #QuestionOfTheWeek What is your preferred way to trade #Volatility? $VIX? $VXX? $XIV? $SPX? $SPY? VIX Options/Futures? VXX? XIV? S&P Strad/delta-neutral? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Oct 6: Jobless Claims Oct 7: Unemployment (NonFarms Payroll) Join us NEXT WEEK at Stocktoberfest Thursday, October 13 - Saturday, October 15 Location: Hotel del Coronado, San Diego

Trading Block: It is that time of the month: OCC Cleared Contract volume up 2% in September. Exchange-listed options volume reached 357,041,027 contracts in September, up one percent from September 2015 volume of 354,782,668 contracts. TSLA: Quarterly sales numbers are strong. 70% increase in delivered cars over Q2. Production up 35%. Odd Block: Puts trade in Deutsche Bank AG (DB), alls roll out in Pfizer Inc (PFE) and calls trade in Wells Fargo Co (WFC). Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Last Week Options #QuestionOfTheWeek -How will the election impact $VIX? Are we heading for #Trump-ocalypse or #Clint-astrophe? Share your feelings. 43% Spike > 20 - Blame Trump 11% Spike >20 - Blame Clinton 17% No impact (12-14 range) 29% Modest Increase (15-20) This Week Options #QuestionOfTheWeek - What is your preferred way to trade #Volatility? $VIX? $VXX? $XIV? $SPX? $SPY? DM/Reply with alternatives VIX Options/Futures? VXX? XIV? S&P Strad/delta-neutral? Comments for listeners: Comment from Mark Brandt - About last episode, The Sex Appeal of Options: SPX is a hot chick! Liked the put diagonal collar concept for open upside! Comment from Charlesturro - @OptionsInsider These are looking good today!! - regarding this activity - 6136 $DVAX Jan2017 18 calls went up on the PHLX marked buy write Around the Block: Earnings highlights this week include: Tuesday - Micron Technology, Inc. Wednesday - Monsanto Company and Yum! Brands, Inc. This Week in the market: Oct 5: International Trade, Factory Orders Oct 6: Jobless Claims Oct 7: Unemployment (NonFarms Payroll) Join us at A Leg To Stand On's (ALTSO) Rocktoberfest Date: Thursday, October 6 2016 Time: 6pm - 11pm Location: City Winery, 1200 W Randolph Street, Chicago For more information, please visit the Rocktoberfest website.  

Today we have a very special guest co-host, Benjamin Londergan, Executive Managing Director and Head of Options Trading and Technology, Convergex. Trading Block: Most indices closed sharply lower. That means the VIX closed higher. Was Deutsche Bank the biggest story of the day? The media dropped the dreaded "D" word. Crude is up again. Revisiting the CBOE/BATS deal. Odd Block: Size PFE time spread goes up, size BHI call buyers and VNDA parity calls and combos trade. Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses the biggest frustrations with collars and alternatives to that. Mail Block: Listener questions and comments What's the deal with PG? Around the Block: Will the markets move from the election? The post-debate analysis. Options #QuestionOfTheWeek: How will the election impact $VIX? Are we heading for #Trump-ocalypse or #Clint-astrophe? Share your feelings. Spike > 20 - Blame Trump Spike > 20 - Blame Clinton No impact (12-14 range) Modest Increase (15-20)

Trading Block: Vol begins to head north again after a big selloff in VIX on Friday. The debates are coming! Merkel has no love for Deutsche Bank. Golf loses a king, Arnold Palmer. What can investors learn from his endorsements? Are you seeing Trump in the rearview mirror? CBOE agrees to buy market operator Bats for $3.2 Billion. With a B. Interesting turn into exchange consolidation rather than fragmentation. Odd Block: Puts trade in EWG, calls trade in TCK and calls trade in DVAX. Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from @investor17 - Can you please highlight if PG puts were sold or bought? And give perspective on what these high Oct puts strikes 120 mean? (The information in question came from the Hot Options Report for 9.23.16.) Around the Block: Have you checked out the OptionsHouse blog? OPEC meeting coming up, and they invited Russia. Deutsche Bank aftermath? The Fed.

Trading Block: VIX apocalypse post-Fed. It looks like we were not pessimistic enough on Vol Views last week! How will next weeks first Presidential debate effect vol? Wall Street extends rally after Fed rate decision. Fed is perilously close to losing its credibility, says economist. Odd Block: Calls trade in ETSY Inc (ETSY), from Monday, calls trade in Bank of America Corp (BAC), calls trade in Encana Corp (ECA), and calls trade in Pandora Media Inc (P). Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses call spreads vs. put spreads. Mail Block/Options #Questionoftheweek: Where will $VIX close after FOMC decision on Wednesday 9/21? Between 15.51 - 16.50 Between 14.50 - 15.50 Below 14.50 Above 16.50 Question from Sean O - Are there any options that had lopsided trading to one side - either puts or calls - leading into the Fed announcement? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Sep 22: Jobless Claims, Existing Home Sales

Trading Block: AAPL! It is no longer the Feds market, it is now Apple's market. Last week Apple essentially carried the S&P 500, Dow, and NASDAQ, having one of its best weeks ever climbing 12% in only 5 days, or more than $75B in market cap! NASDAQ: The NASDAQ is now less than 1% away from hitting fresh all-time highs - The current all-time high is 5,287.61. Odd Block: Calls trade in Infoblox Inc (BLOX), calls trade in Etsy Inc. (ETSY) and calls and puts trade in Plains GP Holdings LP (PAGP) Mail Block: Listener questions and comments OptionMonster question of the week: What is the difference between buying a debit call spread versus selling a credit put spread? Question from Richard Russell: To clarify my question, at 14:00 of episode 553 you state that a $6 straddle was pricing an 8% move following earnings. is this just the current ATM straddle? Question from Fred: I have listened to some of your broadcast and they were over my head. Which one should I focus on to listen to as a beginner? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Sep 20: Housing Starts Sep 21: EIA Petroleum Status, FOMC Announcement Sep 22: Jobless Claims, Existing Home Sales Earnings for the Week: Tuesday: Adobe Systems Corporation, FedEx, KB Home, Lennar Corporation Wednesday: Bed Bath & Beyond, CarMax, General Mills, Herman Miller Thursday: Rite Aid

Trading Block: Volatility is coming back! Wall Street gains on Apple, dimmer chances of rate hike. Odd Block: Calls trade in Lending Club Corp (LC), calls trade in Infoblox Inc (BLOX), and calls trade in Technology SPDR (XLK) Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from Yukoner: Do you ever do spreads in LEAPS? Why and how? So I used trade the LEAPS rather than guy the stock. Is that s good use case? Question from Trader Shawn: What is the difference between USO and UCO? Question from Vegs: I am seeing lots of big fat options OI tied to the big ES 2200 strike. Does this mean big traders are betting that the S&P will rally past 2200? Can all of this open interest have the net effect of forcing the S&P to that strike at expiration? Do you view this open interest solely coming from pros, or are retail reflecting there as well? Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses vertical LEAPS rolls. Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Sep 16: CPI, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: Dow rebounds 130 points amid rate hike debate. Vol explodes higher and the bulls' confidence is tested. TSLA: Shares of Tesla Motors Inc. fell in pre-market trading but was slightly higher after the open. SSNLF: Shares of the world's biggest smartphone maker plunged 7% Monday. Odd Block: Calls trade in Gold Fields Ltd (GFI), calls trade in Southwestern Energy Co. (SWN), puts trade in HCA Holdings Inc. (HCA). Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from JDiggs - What is up with Uber IPO? They crapped away over $1B in the first half of this year already. I can't wait to buy puts on them! Although I guess those puts would probably be pretty pricey since I can't be the only one who think these numbers are crazy. Question from Begs - When ES shoots up and at an all-time high in summer, farms are slow. It was very likely Monday would be thin in the market. Is it possibly to sell premiums when this happens, and make money on quiet Monday? Around the Block/This Week in the Market: It is a heavy week as far as economic reports go with Thursday at 7:30 CT being exceptionally busy for reporting. In addition, quadruple witching expiration takes place on Friday. Sep 13: Treasury Budget Sep 14: Import and Export Prices Sep 15: Jobless Claims, PPI, Retail Sales Sep 16: CPI, Consumer Sentiment

Trading Block: August this year was the lowest average daily volume for puts and calls since October 2012. Stocks to Watch: TWTR - Stock off over 5% AAPL - World not enthused with new iPhone, stock off nearly 3% TSLA - Stock back below $200 - With the combined weight of SCTY deal controversy, cash squeeze and SpaceX explosion. SBUX - CEO endorses Hilary, stock off nearly 2%. Crude stock drop sparks rally. U.S. crude stocks fell by a whopping 14.5 million barrels last week. Odd Block: Calls trade in TransOcean LTD (RIG), calls trade in Chesapeake Energy (CHK), and calls trade in iShares FTSE / China ETF (FXI) Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from JPMTrader: What is the call and put volume like for expirery for the 110s and 107s in Apple? Question from TradeCraft: Is there a correlation between high options OI and high options price levels? Around the Block/ This Week in the Market: Sep 7: JOLTS, Beige Book Sep 8: Jobless Claims, EIA Petroleum Status Earnings tomorrow include: The Kroger Company Mattress Firm Holding Corp

Trading Block: OCC Cleared Contract volume down 24% in August. Earnings today: (before the bell) Campbell Soup Co., Lands End, Vera Bradley; (after the bell) Lululemon Athletica Inc. Bill Gross says Janet Yellen has "Mastered the art of market manipulation." U.S. stocks turn lower to start September on unsteady footing as energy sinks. Odd Block: Puts trade in Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM), calls trade in Chevron Corp. (CVX) and calls trade in Pandora Media Inc. (P). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses a real life collar example. Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from Richard Russell: Can you explain in detail how you use the spread trade parameters to predict the anticipated underlying movement at expiration? Question from Fred: Can you talk about how you assemble a watch list for options trades? Including individual stocks and options trades. Around the Block: Reviewing LULU, non-farms number released tomorrow.