OPR 312: Huddling Up About Crude Oil, Straddles, Fig Leaves and More On this episode, Mark and Brian huddle up to answer all of your questions in this wild pandemic market. Mark and Brian discuss: How you manage short calls? Why you would leg in or sell options against the momentum? Do they think USO is going away? What gave them the aha moment in stocks? And much more…(including an appearance by Brian's son). The Options Playbook is available on OptionsPlaybook.com, or on the Amazon Kindle edition.   Do you have a question that you want answered on a future episode? Send it to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected]. 

OIR interviews: Exploring The Opaque World of Hard Assets On this episode, Mark is joined by John Vardis - AKA "The Diamond Analyst." Mark and John discuss: Are customers flocking to "hard assets" like diamonds in these troubled times? Do diamond prices correlate well with gold prices? Are there tradeable futures, ETPs or even structured products linked to diamonds? Is this opaque marketplace still dominated by monopolistic players like De Beers? How are lab-grown diamonds impacting the overall diamond market? What are the best points of entry into the diamond market for new traders and investors? and much more... Learn more at http://thediamondanalyst.com/

OBC 85: Your Qs About Options Mistakes, Earnings Volatility and More HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP NASDAQ HOT SEAT: RUSSELL RHOADS, EQ DERIVATIVES MAIL CALL QUESTION FROM Daniel P Kuczero: What are your thoughts on financially engineering an options strategy to get consistent 8% returns? This is listed on Swan’s marketing - I wonder if it is pointed toward them??? QUESTION FROM THEGRATE: Does anyone offer a pre-earnings straddle basket that you can buy to trade a large number of events at once? QUESTION FROM Stockpicker320: If the stock market was closed during the expiration date and I owned “In the money” Call options I would assume that there would be a mechanism in place and my broker, TD Ameritrade, would still allow me to execute them before the Expiration Date on their website or by calling them. At the Expiration Date “In the Money” options get exercised automatically by TD Ameritrade as long as they are in the money by 0.01. It could be very dangerous if the Call options were only in the money by a few cents because the stock price could gap down when the stock market finally opened which could result in a big loss if I had a lot of options which controlled many shares of a stock. If my Call options were only in the money by a few cents I would call TD Ameritrade before the expiration date and ask them “Do Not Exercise” the options. Unfortunately this can’t be done on their website and must be done by a phone call. RELATED QUESTION FROM Mike Wienick: If the markets are shut down due to The extraordinary circumstances and I have expiring in the money puts that I  bought - what happens?  Are the expiring options automatically exercised or do they just expire worthless because the market was shut down? RELATED QUESTION FROM NNJ66: What happens if the stock is halted or exchanges are shut down when I own puts? COMMENT FROM Michael Pledgure: Lets see if the S&P 500 will break to new highs and continue this time? COMMENT FROM Malibu Invest: Two words; long tankers. RE: MASSIVE SELLOFF IN CRUDE OIL QUESTION FROM JAY JONES: I generally trade for credit; either vertical spreads or iron condors. My question for you today is: what is the benefit to trading a pure call or put condor, vs an iron condor? The risk/reward profiles at expiration are identical, but it seems like theta decay doesn't help the call condor or the put condor as much as it helps the iron condor. Can you give an example or discuss when the call condor or the put condor makes more sense than the iron condor? Thanks so much, and keep up the great work!

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 58: A DEEP DIVE INTO BITCOIN VOLATILITY HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP GUEST: SIMON HO, CEO, T3 INDEX ABOUT TO LAUNCH THE BITVOL INDEX (THE FIRST OF ITS KIND) THE ULTIMATE GOAL BEING TO DELIVER TRADABLE VOL DERIVATIVES ON BTC A VIX FOR BITCOIN BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE DEBATING THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT OF BITCOIN'S STRONG CORRELATION WITH EQUITY MARKETS OVER THE RECENT CRISIS IS VOLATILITY WHAT IS DRIVING PEOPLE TO BITCOIN THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE FOCUSING ON ETHEREUM  CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT QUESTION FROM THE ZILLIQA SURFER: ANY THOUGHTS ON THE DANGERS OF TRADING ON DERIBIT AS A US CITIZEN? USE A VPN, PICK AN ADDRESS AND YOU CAN TRADE... COULDN’T THEY LOCK UP MY BTC? QUESTION FROM TELSIE33: PLEASE ASK SIMON HO IF THERE ARE ANY LESSONS THAT HE LEARNED FROM CREATING AND LAUNCHING SPIKES THAT HE CAN SHARE WITH OTHER ASPIRING PRODUCT CREATORS? ALSO - CAN I REQUEST AN UPDATE TO THE MILKSHAKE INDEX THAT INCLUDES CLASS 3 MILK FROM CME? QUESTION FROM MAX: CAN WE SAY THE HALVING IS DRIVING A LOT OF THE VOLATILITY AT THIS POINT QUESTION FROM EL4T: DO YOU THINK BIG PLAYERS ARE SPOOKED BY THE LEVEL OF VOLATILITY WE'RE SEEING IN BTC RIGHT NOW?

Option Block 898: Let's Talk Activity in SPY, VIX, X, IWM, DIS, ROKU, ATVI and More   HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST:  MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADESTATION CO-HOST: ANDREW ROCCO, MANAGER, EDUCATIONAL CONTENT STRATEGY TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT VIX: 37.55 - UP 2.35 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 122 - UP NEARLY 4 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 41 - UP 2.5 FROM LAST SHOW EXPLORING OPTIONS ACTIVITY IN GE, AMD, AAPL, SPY APRIL WAS A GOOD MONTH FOR OPTIONS EARNINGS REVIEW OF DIS, ATVI, ROKU ODD BLOCK SIZABLE UPSIDE CALL ROLL IN IWM SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A BULLISH POP IN X AN IN THE MONEY CALL IN ZM MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM TRADESTATION CLIENT: WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN THE OIL MARKET AT THIS POINT? QUESTION FROM AMATEUR TWIN MOM: WHERE'S THE BEST PLACE TO GET STARTED IF YOU'VE ONLY BEEN TRADING FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME (LIKE 1-2YRS)? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

VOLATILITY VIEWS 397:     HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT: DAVID LINCOLN, VIX CRUSH VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT APRIL WAS A GOOD MONTH FOR STOCKS MARKET RALLIED EARLIER IN THE WEEK OFF HOPE FOR GILLEAD’S CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT. NOW THAT RALLY IS FADING IN THE WAKE OF RENEWED TRADE HOSTILITIES  WITH CHINA. ECONOMY STRUGGLING SPIKES: 38.5 - UP 1 FROM LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 38 - UP .75 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 121 - UP 4 FROM LAST SHOW CBOE PLANS REOPENING OPTIONS FLOORS JUNE 1 OCC APRIL VOLUME: FUTURES DOWN 52.1 FROM APRIL 2019 LOOKING AT EARNINGS VOLATILITY THIS WEEK PARTICULARLY IN TESLA (AND MUSK’S FOLLOW UP RANT), AMZN, AAPL AND MORE. VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL QUESTION FROM EDSON: WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY FIRMS ARE UNDERPRICING VOLATILITY THIS EARNINGS SEASON? CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK?

TWIFO 197: Maelstrom of Small Caps, Hogs and Crude   HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, FTSE RUSSELL FTSE HOT SEAT GUEST: RICK ROSENTHAL, CBOE ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK, SEAN AND RICK DISCUSS: EQUITIES: FTSE RUSSELL EXTENDS INDEX DERIVATIVES AGREEMENT WITH CBOE SMALL CAPS HAD A HUGE RALLY YESTERDAY DISCUSSION OF THE VOLATILITY ANOMALIES DRIVING TRADING IN SMALL CAPS EXPLORING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SMALL CAP VOL AND LARGE CAP VOL CRUDE CRUDE BACK IN BUSINESS? CONFLICTS IN THE NEAR-TERM AND LONGER-TERM OUTLOOKS LEAN HOGS US HOG FUTURES SURGE AS MEAT PLANTS WARN OF PORK SHORTAGES FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM NICODEMUS: HOW ARE WE STANDING AT THE CURRENT VIX/RVX RATIO VS. HISTORY? QUESTION FROM THOMAS: CAN SEAN CONFIRM THAT THE TRADITIONAL RUSSELL RECONSTITUTION STILL PLANS TO UNFOLD AS SCHEDULED AND THAT THERE WILL BE NO IMPACT FROM THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC? THANK YOU AND I ENJOY THE PROGRAM. QUESTION FROM TONY WEBER: HAS THE SHUTDOWN OF PORK FACTORIES MADE THE FUTURES OPTIONS SQUEAL? QUESTION FROM RONALD MÜLLER: IS THERE ANYTHING LIKE A P/C RATIO FOR SILVER AND GOLD?...KIND OF SENTIMENT INDICATORS TO EVALUATE GOLD AND SILVER. QUESTION FROM THEBLAZE: AM I CRAZY TO ACTUALLY THINK SOME OF THESE CHANGES TO USO ARE LONG OVERDUE AND ACTUALLY MAKE IT A STRONG PRODUCT GOING FORWARD? GREAT BREAKDOWN OF ALL THINGS CRUDE LAST WEEK BY THE WAY. 

OPTION BLOCK 897: A TALE OF TWO MARKETS  HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST:  MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADESTATION CO-HOST: ANDREW ROCCO, MANAGER, EDUCATIONAL CONTENT STRATEGY TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT VIX: 35.25 - UP 2.5 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 118.3 - DOWN 1.2 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 38.5 - UP .5 FROM LAST SHOW IT’S A WEEK OF CONFLICTING DATA. YESTERDAY WE WERE IN RALLY MODE. TODAY WE HAVE MORE BAD NEWS ON THE EMPLOYMENT FRONT. ANYTIME AN ETF DOES A REVERSE SPLIT LIKE USO THAT'S A BIG CAUTION FLAG FOR US. EARNINGS RESULTS FOR TSLA, FB, MSFT & TWTR ODD BLOCK INTERESTING PLAY IN $BYND TODAY SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A MASSIVE 50% JUMP IN $GILD REVIEWING BBBY IN THE MONEY CALLS MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM TRADESTATION CLIENTS:  I WANT TO IMPROVE AS AN OPTIONS TRADER, WHAT IS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE? QUESTION FROM TRADESTATION CLIENTS: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VIX AT THESE LEVELS? QUESTION FROM JELZE: ARE YOU MORE OR LESS UPBEAT ABOUT USO AT THESE LEVELS? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

OPR 311: Playing FAANG Earnings With A Google Skip Strike Fly It's FAANG time! On this episode, Brian explores using a skip strike butterfly to make a post-earnings trade in Google (aka Alphabet). You can find more in The Options Playbook, which is always available on OptionsPlaybook.com, and on the Amazon Kindle edition.  Do you have a question that you want answered on a future episode? Send them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected].

OBC 84: CRUDE OIL MYTHBUSTING, RATIO PUT SPREADS AND MORE HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: DAN PASSARELLI, MARKET TAKER MENTORING. NASDAQ HOT SEAT: RUSSELL RHOADS, EQ DERIVATIVES TOPICS: THOUGHTS ON THE INSANITY IN THE CRUDE OIL MARKET? SHORT PUTS/PUT SPREADS VS. RATIO PUT SPREADS MAIL CALL QUESTION FROM BUCKEYE: WHAT IS THE ONE MISTAKE THAT YOU SEE THE MOST OFTEN WITH NEW OPTIONS TRADERS?

AO 90: DO PUTS REALLY WORK HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MATT AMBERSON, OPTION RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES CO-HOST: CHRIS HAUSMAN, SWAN GLOBAL INVESTMENTS CO-HOST: ERIC COTT, OPTIONS INDUSTRY COUNCIL THE BUZZ YET ANOTHER HISTORIC MONTH FOR THE MARKETS THOUGHTS ON CURRENT MARKET/VOLATILITY REGIME CANCELLATION OF DIVIDENDS? FURTHER THOUGHTS ON IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC SPX ON LIQUIDITY IMPACT OF FLOOR CLOSINGS ON OPTIONS TRADING OVERVIEW OF NEW VOLUME RECORDS SET BY OCC - OCC MARCH TOTAL VOLUME UP 62.8 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO - HIGHEST VOLUME MONTH EVER FOR U.S. EQUITY OPTIONS INDUSTRY WHAT ARE ADVISORS THINKING ABOUT THIS MARKET? HOW RIAS CAN USE OPTIONS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE ARE PUTS EFFICIENT AT PROTECTING DOWNSIDE RISK? EARNINGS VOLATILITY: EARNINGS SEASON RUNDOWN OFFICE HOURS QUESTION FROM GLEN WOLF:  HI MATT, I LISTENED TO MARK LONGO'S OPTIONS ADVISORS PODCAST. IF I HEARD RIGHT, YOU PREDICTED WE WOULD GO DOWN TO 180 ON SPY, AS THAT WAS THE 2016 ELECTION LOW. IS THAT THE EQUIVALENT OF WHAT THE SPY WOULD HAVE TRADED AT BASED ON SPX FUTURES OVERNIGHT ON ELECTION NIGHT? JUST LOOKING AT THE SPY CHART, I DON'T SEE A 180 LOW AROUND NOVEMBER 2016. BUT MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A MONTHLY CHART OR SOMETHING. THANK YOU, GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT. COMMENT FROM ANGELO: LOOKS LIKE THE ACKMAN HEDGE WORKED OUT BRILLIANTLY. MAYBE THIS WILL BE A WAKEUP CALL TO MORE LONG EQUITY MANAGERS THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE A HEDGING STRATEGY IN PLACE OTHER THAN LIQUIDATING THEIR ASSETS. QUESTION FROM ELDORADO: DO YOU SEE A LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM ADVISORS WHO PREFER TO USE INVERSE ETFS AS THEIR HEDGING STRATEGY AS OPPOSED TO OPTIONS? THANK YOU.

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 57: Volatility, Halving, Your Questions and More HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT COMMENT FROM JACK: GREAT SHOW. THANKS FOR THIS.  QUESTION FROM ALBE34: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF BTC AS AN UNCORRELATED ASSET CLASS FOR LONG STOCK PORTFOLIOS? WORTH A LOOK? IF SO WOULD YOU USE THE OPTIONS OR THE SPOT? COMMENT FROM M09: HOPE ALL THOSE BTC BULLS DIDN’T SWAP THEIR COIN FOR CRUDE. DAMN! WHAT A MELTDOWN.  QUESTION FROM TYLER: HOW ABOUT USING STOCK SUB STRATS IN BITCOIN? IS THAT A VIABLE “OPTION” - SEE WHAT I DID THERE? CAN YOU ALSO UPDATE HXRO? COMMENT FROM CHINOOK: HEARD ON THE GREAT PODCAST "THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN" BY @OPTIONS THAT THERE WERE MANY $1200 DEPOSITS INTO CRYPTO ACCOUNTS. COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT! #STIMULUSCHECKS

OPTION BLOCK 896: MOSCOWAN VOLATILITY  HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT VIX: 32.75 - DOWN ALMOST 7 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 119.5 - UP 2 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 38 - DOWN 5 FROM LAST SHOW EARNINGS LOOK AT BYND  - ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE EQUITY OPTIONS TODAY 1 - 5 TRADE ODD BLOCK ZNGA AT THE MONEY CALLS BBBY IN THE MONEY CALLS YNDX STRATEGY BLOCK EXPLORING HOW RETAIL OPTIONS TRADERS SHOULD REBALANCE THEIR PORTFOLIOS MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM CLEANENRTYS: I WANTED TO ASK YOU IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT REALLY GAVE YOU THE AHA MOMENT IN STOCKS. IS THERE ANY BOOK YOU RECOMMEND, OR YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO FOLLOW TO FURTHER EXPAND MY KNOWLEDGE? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

VOLATILITY VIEWS 396:  THE CRUDE VOLATILITY WHIRLWIND HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT:  TOM JARCK, MIAX EXCHANGE GROUP MIAX HOT SEAT:  SHELLY BROWN, MIAX EXCHANGE GROUP GUEST CO-HOST: MATT AMBERSON, OPTION RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT SO MUCH FOR THE CURE: MARKET RALLIED LAST WEEK OFF HOPE FOR GILEAD'S CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT. THIS WEEK NOT SO MUCH.  CRUDE OIL APOCALYPSE: WE ALL DISCOVERED THAT WTI CAN GO NEGATIVE SPIKES: 37.5 - DOWN 1.5 FROM LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 37.25 - DOWN 1.75 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 117 - DOWN 10 FROM LAST SHOW LOOKING AT EARNINGS VOLATILITY THIS WEEK. THE EARNINGS SEASON HAS RETURNED LITTLE SO FAR TO VOLATILITY BUYERS. VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL QUESTION FROM JACK: WHY IS VXX UP THIS WEEK QUESTION FROM NEILP: IS IT WORTH IT TO SELL IRON CONDORS ONE WEEK BEFORE EARNINGS AND THEN CLOSE THEM THE DAY BEFORE, OR MAYBE RIGHT BEFORE, THE EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENT?  MAYBE I’M JUST SPINNING MY WHEELS HERE. QUESTION FROM JJC: WHY HAS NO OTHER FLAVOR OF VIX REALLY CAUGHT ON WITH THE TRADING WORLD? VIX IS A HUGE HIT BUT OTHER VARIANTS AND ITERATIONS NOT SO MUCH.       CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK?

TWIFO 196: THE WILDEST WEEK IN CRUDE OIL HISTORY  HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD OF DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL CME HOT SEAT GUEST: RUSSELL RHOADS, EQ DERIVATIVES ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK, SEAN AND RUSSELL DISCUSS: CRUDE A HISTORIC, AND DANGEROUS, WEEK FOR CRUDE USO IS IN TURMOIL CRUDE CAN ACTUALLY GO NEGATIVE CME STARTED LISTING NEGATIVE STRIKES FOR CL OPTIONS BEGINNING 4/22 INTERACTIVE BROKERS TAKES $88M HIT FROM CRUDE FUTURES COLLAPSE EQUITIES:  THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR SMALL CAPS.  THE RUSSELL 2000 HAS A LOWER WEIGHTING IN ENERGY THAN LARGE CAP INDICES LIKE S&P 500. CONSIDER THIS IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY AWAY FROM CRUDE OIL FOR A BIT. FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM JLNE: HOW THE HECK CAN CL GO NEGATIVE? QUESTION FROM NEAL: DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE NEGATIVE PRICES FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE? COMMENT FROM 45T$: SO WE’RE LIVING IN A WORLD WHERE THERE ARE ACTUAL NEGATIVE STRIKES FOR CRUDE OPTIONS. JESUS! WHO EVER THOUGHT THAT WE’D GET HERE? QUESTION FROM PIERCE: IS THIS REALLY A CRUDE BLACK SWAN? PEOPLE THEORETICALLY THOUGHT THAT CRUDE COULD GO NEGATIVE. ISN’T A BLACK SWAN SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLETELY UNFORESEEABLE? QUESTION FROM JANPECK: WHAT IS HAPPENING TO USO? QUESTION FROM TMAL: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF USO AT THESE LEVELS? QUESTION FROM MM87: DID THE USO ROLL CAUSE THIS? QUESTION FROM DAMANATEE: IS USO JUST ANOTHER XIV? QUESTION FROM BANTAM: WHAT THE HECK IS USO NOW? QUESTION FROM SG90D: THOUGHTS ON THE 8-1 REVERSE SPLIT IN USO?  QUESTION FROM SAMUELPBOWIE: JUST STARTED TUNING IN...WHEN DO YOU SEE HIGH DEBT US SHALE PRODUCERS START DEFAULTING ON LOANS? QUESTION FROM JLC: WHY IS RUT SO VOLATILE? COMMENT FROM STOCKTWITS MBOTT: IT ROLLED BECAUSE THE INDEX METHODOLOGY IS, OR AT LEAST WAS, TO SELL NEAR TERM CONTRACTS TO BUY NEXT TERM CONTRACTS.  THEY DID NOT FACTOR IN THE POSSIBILITY OF THESES EXTREME SPREADS BETWEEN THOSE CONTRACTS WHICH LED TO MASSIVE NEGATIVE ROLL YIELD.  THEY WILL PROBABLY NOW CHANGE THE METHODOLOGY TO GO FURTHER OUT THE CURVE, BUT IT’S TOO LATE IMO

Option Block 895: TIME FOR A CRUDE OIL MULLIGAN    HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT CRUDE CAN NOW GO NEGATIVE! USO IS IN TURMOIL! JOBLESS CLAIMS HIT ANOTHER 4.4M VIX: 39.5 - DOWN .5 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 117.5 - DOWN 7.5 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 43.25 - UP 3 FROM LAST SHOW OIV: 731 - AKA COMPLETELY MEANINGLESS EARNINGS ODD BLOCK FE CALL OVERWRITE MAY HL PUT LOVE REVIEW XP MAR 30 PUTS MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM TONY WEBER: WILL THE FRONT MONTH CL CONTRACT GO NEGATIVE?  TODAY? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

OPR 310: Breaking down Crude Madness in USO, MRO and XOM On this episode, let's sell a cash secured put in Exxon Mobil (ticker symbol XOM).  You can find more in The Options Playbook, which is always available on OptionsPlaybook.com, and on the Amazon Kindle edition.  Do you have a question that you want answered on a future episode? Send them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected].

OBC 83: Pandemic Mail Call Palooza HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: DAN PASSARELLI, MARKET TAKER MENTORING. NASDAQ HOT SEAT: TONY ZHANG, OPTIONSPLAY MAIL CALL QUESTION FROM ELLE76: WHAT MATTERS MORE WHEN TRADING WEEKLY  OPTIONS - GAMMA OR VEGA? QUESTION FROM DRAKE: I'M CONFUSED. WHAT IS THE DIFF BTWN NDX AND NDXP?  QUESTION FROM THOM: THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT OPTIONS BOOT CAMP PROGRAM. I’VE BEEN DEVOURING ALL THE EPISODES. I REALLY WANT TO TRADE OPTIONS NOW BUT I’M SCARED BY THESE MARKETS. I WAS LOOKING AT SOME PUTS YESTERDAY AND THEY NEARLY $2 WIDE FOR A TWO-WEEK, 5% OTM PUT. I DIDN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THAT MARKET. TRADING ON EITHER THE BID OR THE OFFER LOOKED LIKE A SURE LOSER. DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY TIPS FOR TRADING IN THESE ESPECIALLY VOLATILE, AND WIDE, MARKETS? THANKS AGAIN FOR THE SHOW AND THE WHOLE NETWORK. KEEPING ME SANE IN MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW.  QUESTION FROM VANDANGO: IS IT TRUE THAT MOST PRO TRADERS SHORT VOLATILITY?    

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 56: BITCOIN VS. CRUDE OIL HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CRYPTO HOT SEAT SEGMENT   CRYPTO HOT SEAT GUEST:  BRYAN COURCHESNE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, DIGITAL ASSET INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT   What do they do How do they view current bitcoin levels What products do they use to trade bitcoin What are they seeing for client demand  BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE SOME US CITIZENS LOOK TO BE SPLASHING THEIR STIMULUS CASH ON CRYPTOCURRENCY. COINBASE CEO BRIAN ARMSTRONG TWEETED EARLIER ON FRIDAY HIS EXCHANGE HAD EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN SPIKE IN THE NUMBER OF BUYS AND DEPOSITS WORTH $1,200. AN UNPRECEDENTED SELL-OFF HAS TAKEN BITCOIN’S PURCHASING POWER SKY HIGH. FOLLOWING A MARKET DOWNTURN, CRUDE OIL IS NOW SO CHEAP THAT A SINGLE BITCOIN (BTC) CAN BUY OVER 600 BARRELS. DO WE NEED CIRCUIT BREAKERS IN CRYPTO THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT   QUESTION FROM JACK: DO YOU SEE A LOT OF ASSET MANAGERS AND RIAS PILING INTO CRYPTO NOW? COMMENT FROM FREDE: WITH WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE REAL COMMODITY MARKETS IT MAKES BTC SEEM PRETTY TAME BY COMPARISON RIGHT NOW. WTI WTF QUESTION FROM NEWDY: WHY DON’T MORE BROKERS OFFER BTC AND EVEN ETH ON THEIR SERVICES? WHY AM I STUCK WITH THE COINBASES AND KRAKENS OF THE WORLD? QUESTION FROM JELLYBNZ: DO YOU THINK THE HALVING EFFECT WILL BE LESSENED BY THE TURMOIL IN THE REST OF THE MARKET RIGHT NOW. SEEMS LIKE BITCOIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN MARCHING UPWARD NOW INSTEAD OF HANGING OUT HERE.  

Option Block 894: Crude Oil Apocalypse   HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT CRUDE OIL WTH??? THE SENATE MAY APPROVE AN EMERGENCY $300 BILLION RELIEF PACKAGE FOR SMALL BUSINESS. IN ADDITION, THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED TO DEFER COLLECTION OF MORE TARIFFS FROM U.S. IMPORTERS IN RELATION TO SOME CHINESE GOODS IN AN EFFORT TO EASE THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION.  OVER THE WEEKEND, THE U.S. DEATH TOLL FROM THE VIRUS TOPPED 40,000.  VIX: 40 - DOWN 2.3 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 125 - DOWN 8 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 40.25 - DOWN .75 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK RUTH LITS PUTS HAL POST EARNINGS AGGRESSIVE CALL OVERWRITE UNP LITS PUTS STRATEGY BLOCK HOW TO USE DIFFERENT OPTIONS ORDER TYPES TO BRING SANITY BACK TO YOUR TRADING.  MAIL BLOCK COMMENT FROM SCOTT SOMER: IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE MARKET ORDERS, FULLY EXPECT TO GIVE AWAY AT MINIMUM TWO-THIRDS THE DISTANCE FROM THE "MID" TO THE "NATURAL" IN THAT OPTION TRADE.   QUESTION FROM TONY WEBER: WILL THE FRONT MONTH CL CONTRACT GO NEGATIVE?  TODAY? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

Volatility Views 395: A CURE FOR VOLATILITY?    HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT:  TOM JARCK, MIAX EXCHANGE GROUP MIAX HOT SEAT:  SHELLY BROWN, MIAX EXCHANGE GROUP GUEST CO-HOST: ILYA FEYGIN, WALLACHBETH CAPITAL VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT THE CURE?: MARKET IS RALLYING TODAY OFF STRONG RESULTS FOR GILLEAD’S CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT. ALTHOUGH PERHAPS NOT THE “CURE RALLY” WE EXPECTED SPIKES: 39 - DOWN 10 FROM LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 39 - DOWN 10 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 127 - DOWN 18 FROM LAST SHOW VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL QUESTION FROM NIC: EVERYONE'S LOOKING AT WAYS TO GET LONG NOW INCLUDING STOCK SUBSTITUTION STRATS LIKE THE FIG LEAF. BUT WHY DOES NO ONE TALK ABOUT STOCK SUBSTITUTION IN VOL PRODUCTS? OR I GUESS IT WOULD BE FUTURES SUBSTITUTION INSTEAD. GREAT SHOW. QUESTION FROM NIC: I’M ONLY TRADING WEEKLIES RIGHT NOW TO AVOID WEEKEND VOLATILITY. AM I BEING PARANOID?       CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK?

TWIFO 195: Historic Crude Supply Cuts Vs. Demand Devastation HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD OF DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL ON THIS EPISODE, MARK AND SEAN DISCUSS: CME MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK MARCH CME GROUP OPTIONS REVIEW ACROSS ASSET CLASSES EQUITIES CRUDE OIL FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK COMMENT FROM OPTION SELLING MENTOR: @OPTIONS AND @CMEGROUP GREAT PROGRAM! COMMENT FROM TTO: I WISH GRAINS WERE DOING MORE SO YOU COULD DISCUSS THEM ON TWIFO.  QUESTION FROM OPTIONIMUS: WITH ALL OF THE MARKET VOLATILITY THIS YEAR, WILL THE ANNUAL RECONSTITUTION BY FTSE RUSSELL STILL MOVE FORWARD IN JUNE? IF SO, DO YOU ANTICIPATE MORE CHANGES THAN USUAL IN THIS YEAR'S REVAMP? QUESTION FROM GENJI3: WHY DO YOU DO TWIFO 30 MINUTES AFTER THE OPTION BLOCK PROGRAM? WHY NOT BACK TO BACK? THX AND LOVE ALL THAT YOU DO. 5 STARS!  QUESTION FROM MULVY: IS CME FLOOR GONE IN THE NEXT YEAR? QUESTION FROM BIG TODD: WHY IS DAIRY ALWAYS IN THE TOP 5 THESE DAYS? WHAT'S CAUSING THIS VOLATILITY? QUESTION FROM TURKINSTOCK: I AM AN OPTIMIST LIKE SEAN. HOPING THIS CORONAVIRUS STOPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO OUR ECONOMY. SHOULD I BET ON A SUSTAINED REBOUND IN RUSSELL 2000 BY THE END OF THE YEAR?

Option Block 893: Reverse Splits and Painful Legos  HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORTED MORE THAN 5 MILLION NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS AND A STIMULUS PLAN TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS RAN OUT OF CASH THURSDAY. U.S. DEATHS SPIKED TO A DAILY HIGH OF ALMOST 2,500.  VIX: 42.3 - DOWN .7 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 133 - DOWN 6 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 41 - DOWN .3 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK CHK LONG TERM OTM PUTS DVAX CALL OVERWRITE REVIEW HGV MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM THEGRATE: DOES ANYONE OFFER A PRE-EARNINGS STRADDLE BASKET THAT YOU CAN BUY TO TRADE A LARGE NUMBER OF EVENTS AT ONCE? TELL TS I SIGNED UP THIS WEEK.  QUESTION FROM MACK: DO LONG STRADDLES STILL WORK HERE? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

OBC 82: Talking Time Spreads, Short Puts and Micromarkets HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: DAN PASSARELLI, MARKET TAKER MENTORING. NASDAQ HOT SEAT: TONY ZHANG, OPTIONSPLAY Mark, Tony and Dan discuss whether long straddles still work, the proper way to structure time spreads in this environment, short puts vs. credit call spreads, selling puts in USO and much more.

OPR 309: Betting On Big Crude Movement With MRO Straddle On this episode, we are looking at a straddle in Marathon Oil Corporation (ticker symbol MRO).  You can find more in The Options Playbook, which is always available on OptionsPlaybook.com, and on the Amazon Kindle edition.  Do you have a question that you want answered on a future episode? Send them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected].

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 55: The Great Crypto Inflection Point HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP GUEST CO-HOST: Jon Pearlstone, CryptoPatterns BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE BITCOIN FUTURES VOLUME ON CME AND BAKKT FELL SHARPLY IN MARCH WINKLEVOSS: BITCOIN FACES CORONAVIRUS 'INFLECTION POINT' AMID OIL WOES THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT   QUESTION FROM CHARLIE: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TECHNICAL INDICATOR FOR BITCOIN QUESTION FROM LUCHA T: WHY ARE WE SEEING SUCH LIGHT CRYPTO VOLUME RIGHT NOW? COMMENT FROM SPLASHOUT: GREAT PROGRAM. I TUNE IN EVERY MONDAY. (THUMBS UP EMOJI) QUESTION FROM SMALL: DO YOU THINK THIS VIRUS WILL CAUSE SOME OF THE SMALLER CRYPTO EXCHANGES TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS?   

Option Block 892: Naked Cowboys and Impressive Bench Presses HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT OPEC FINALLY MAKES A DEAL GOLDMAN SAYS WORST IS OVER VIX: 43 - UP .25 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 139 - DOWN 1 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 41.3 - DOWN 1 FROM LAST SHOW EARNINGS SEASON IS BACK ODD BLOCK UNP CALL SALE GD CALL WRITE SWCH CALL WRITE STRATEGY BLOCK HOW TO OUTLINE THE PROPER OBJECTIVES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIOS USING OPTIONS MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM STIPOD: HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT ANY MORE MARKET MAKERS BLOWING UP OUT THERE RIGHT NOW? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

TWIFO 194: Trade Futures Or Be Stuck In The Past HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP GUEST CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT GUEST CO-HOST:  MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK, ANDREW AND MIKE DISCUSS: CME MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK EQUITIES CRUDE OIL METALS: GOLD AND SILVER FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM COCL: WHEN YOU SEE THAT THE CALL SKEW IN A STOCK IS BID OVER THE PUTS IS THAT A SIGN THAT YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY SELL THAT SKEW?

Option Block 891: Whispers Of Stimulus Scare Away Pandemic Shadows HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO-HOST: ANDREW ROCCO, TRADESTATION TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT TERRIBLE DEATH TOLL OUT OF NEW YORK MORE TERRIBLE JOBLESS CLAIMS NUMBERS FORMER FED CHAIR BERNANKE PREDICTS GDP COULD DROP 30% GE & STARBUCKS ALREADY WARNING ABOUT EARNINGS BUT WE’RE STILL RALLYING! MARKET REALLY LIKES NEW FED STIMULUS: $2.3T MORE  VIX: 42.75 - DOWN 1.5 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 140 - DOWN 6 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 42.3 - DOWN .3 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK CORONAVIRUS INSPIRED ABT PAPER LBTYK PUT LOVE NLSN PUT LOVE MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM TRADESTATION CLIENTS: WHAT ARE SOME KEY THINGS YOU WOULD TELL EQUITIES TRADERS LOOKING TO MAKE THE MOVE TO OPTIONS?   QUESTION FROM TONY WEBER ON MIXLR CHAT: WHAT IS THE SIMPLE VIX EQUATION? VIX EQUATION "MADE EASY"? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

On this episode, we are selling a put spread with the intention of buying the stock in Allstate Corporation (stock symbol ALL).  You can find more in The Options Playbook, which is always available on OptionsPlaybook.com, and on the Amazon Kindle edition.  Do you have a question that you want answered on a future episode? Send them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected].

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 54: Moving On Up HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CRYPTO HOT SEAT SEGMENT GUEST:  JAMES PUTRA, TRADESTATION CRYPTO, HEAD OF PRODUCT STRATEGY WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND? WHY LAUNCH TRADESTATION CRYPTO? WHAT DO YOU TRADE AT TRADESTATION CRYPTO? CRYPTO EXCHANGES VS. BROKERS BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE BITCOIN IS ON FIRE THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT QUESTION FROM E: WHILE I AM AT HOME DURING THIS QUARANTINE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT ME DAY TRADING CRYPTO? FUTURES, OPTIONS OR JUST PLAIN SPOT? QUESTION FROM VICTOR: ARE THE MULTIPLIERS THE SAME FOR CRYPTO OPTIONS? SO IF I SELL ONE PUT DO I GET 100 COINS? WHAT ABOUT THE CONTRACT SPECS? DO THEY ALLOW EARLY EXERCISE? ALSO - DO THEY WORK THE SAME. FOR EXAMPLE, IF I SELL A PUT SHORT CAN I USE THAT TO GET INTO A LONG $BTC POSITION OR ARE THEY CASH SETTLED? INTRIGUED BUT SO MUCH CONFUSION ON MY END.  QUESTION FROM ELE5: WHAT IS GOING ON WITH BAKKT CRYPTO? THE LAUNCHED TO A LOT OF FANFARE AND HAVE RAISED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS. IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYONE WAS INTO THE PHYSICALLY-SETTLED CONTRACTS BUT THAT HASN’T TRANSLATED INTO VOLUME? QUESTION FROM JJLC:  WHICH OF THE MAJOR BROKERS DO YOU FEEL HAS THE BEST CRYPTO PRESENCE? COMMENT FROM BIGSIZE: THX FOR THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN. I TUNE IN RELIGIOUSLY EVERY WEEK FOR MY FIX. WHY IS NO ONE ELSE OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT CRYPTO DERIVATIVES?

Option Block 890:  Who Needs Furniture in an Apocalypse?  HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT WORST WEEKS UPCOMING FOR THE VIRUS “LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL” - LATEST TALKING POINT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ACKMAN IS CLEARLY LONG VIX: 44.3 - DOWN NEARLY 8 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 146 - DOWN 5 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 42.5 - DOWN 5.3 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK W LINE IN THE SAND PUTS REVIEW BGS REVIEW NTAP AGGRESSIVE LITS PUTS STRATEGY BLOCK BREAKING DOWN THE BEST WAY TO SELL PUTS IN THIS MARKET  AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

Volatility Views 394:  Vol Man Is Sad HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT:  TOM JARCK, MIAX EXCHANGE GROUP MIAX HOT SEAT:  SIMON HO, T3 INDEX  VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT TERRIBLE NONFARMS -AS EXPECTED HIGHEST VOLUME MONTH EVER FOR U.S. EQUITY OPTIONS INDUSTRY SPIKES: 49 - DOWN 14.5 FROM LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 49 - DOWN 15 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 145 - DOWN 30 FROM LAST SHOW VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL QUESTION FROM ADAM: IS IT SAFE TO START BUYING OPTIONS AGAIN IN VXX? HAS THE VOL CRASH HAPPENED YET?  CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK?

TWIFO 193: Has the Crude Worm Turned HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, FTSE RUSSELL ON THIS EPISODE, MARK AND SEAN DISCUSS: CME MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK CME GROUP’S MARKET STATS FOR MARCH 2020 EQUITIES CRUDE OIL FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM STIPOD: HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT ANY MORE MARKET MAKERS BLOWING UP OUT THERE RIGHT NOW? QUESTION FROM ERIC: WHAT WAS IT THAT FORCED CME TO LIQUIDATE RONIN CAPITAL LAST WEEK? JUST A RISK ISSUE? COMMENT FROM MARKBRANT15: ANYBODY NOT BUYING IS FINE WITH ME! KID IN A CANDY STORE SCENARIO. NO JOY IN A PANDEMIC HOWEVER. QUESTION FROM TACK3: HOW DOES VOL IN RUT COMP TO SPY RIGHT NOW? MORE? LESS? QUESTION FROM ZANE: I SEE PEOPLE INCLUDING BLOOMBERG WARNING ABOUT USO EVEN THOUGH IT’S CHEAP. WHY? QUESTION FROM MARYC: WHY DON’T YOU GUYS SPEND MORE TIME ON SOME OF THE SMALLER NAMES ON YOUR LIST THAT TEND TO HAVE THE MOST EXTREME MOVES EACH WEEK? COMMENT FROM THORNTON: DEFINITELY NO #HOGLOVE THIS WEEK! QUESTION FROM DARCY: CAN YOU DISCUSS WHAT CME IS DOING TO FIX IT FX OPTIONS?

Today we are rebroadcasting an episode that was initially released on April 24, 2019.  We are discussing a bearish trade on Tesla.  You can find more in The Options Playbook, which is always available on OptionsPlaybook.com, and on the Amazon Kindle edition.  Do you have a question that you want answered on a future episode? Send them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected].

Option Block 889: How to Lose $15M Selling Puts  HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT MORE TERRIBLE JOBS NUMBERS HIGHEST VOLUME MONTH EVER FOR U.S. EQUITY OPTIONS INDUSTRY VIX: 52.5 - DOWN 7.5 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 151 - DOWN 9 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 47.8 - DOWN 2.2 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK REVIEW APD LINE IN THE SAND PUTS MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM BRIAN COLLAMER:  HI GENTS! IN MY ROTH I'M LONG A COUPLE OF 300/305 CALL SPREADS IN SPY. ONE IS THE 19JUN20 {EXDIV DATE, $1.40 DIV} EXPIRATION AND THE OTHER IS THE 18SEP20 {EXDIV DATE}. BOUGHT THESE DURING THOSE 10% DOWN DAYS, COULDN'T RESIST… ANYHOW, AS I'M SHORT SOME CALLS, WILL I BE ON THE HOOK FOR THE DIVIDENDS SHOULD THESE 300 CALLS GO ITM? IF THE SHORT CALLS DO GO ATM/ITM, I NEED TO LOOK AT THE BID FOR THE 300 PUTS AND COMPARE TO DIVIDEND RIGHT? DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THIS ON THE EX-DIV DATE OR THE PAYOUT DATE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC PODCASTS!!! BRIAN  PS - I STILL MISS THE O.O SHOW ON TOS...... QUESTION FROM DAMIAN: HEY THERE, LOVE THE SHOW! I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE LONG PUTS SPREAD.  IS IT POSSIBLE TO MODIFY IT BY ADDING A DIAGONAL COMPONENT? SPECIFICALLY, BUYING ONE ITM CALL WITH LONG EXPIRATION AND BUYING ONE ITM PUT AT SHORT TERM EXPIRATION?  MY EXPECTATION FOR THE UNDERLYING IS LONG TERM BULLISH AND SHORT TERM OR PERIODIC WEAKNESS. I AM NEW TO OPTIONS AND THOUGHT ABOUT THIS STRATEGY AS A WAY TO HEDGE A LEAPS POSITION AND POSSIBLY PROFIT DURING SHORT TERM DOWN SWINGS. WOULD THIS EVEN WORK, TOO EXPENSIVE, OR IS THERE A BETTER WAY (PROBABLY) TO EXECUTE THIS STRATEGY? THANKS SO MUCH! QUESTION FROM NIKOLAI: DOES UNCLE MIKE STILL LIKE $XLE TO PLAY ENERGY/OIL OR DOES HE PREFER $USO? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 53: Crypto Quick Hit HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT QUESTION FROM PJ SANDWICH: Do my options still exist if the exchange shuts down or if trading is halting? Can I close them out? QUESTION FROM SWEET BABY RAY: Why does everyone quote notional in crypto options? Why can’t I get a contract count? QUESTION FROM NLCC:  Have you heard of any new exchanges entering the crypto options market? QUESTION FROM JACK: You always say 2-3% is a good estimated expense range for portfolio protection in major indices. Does that also hold true for $BTC or should we realistically expect to pay more?

Option Block 888: Why The Heck Are We Rallying? HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT WE’RE RALLYING YET AGAIN...FOR SOME REASON.  TERRIBLE JOBS NUMBERS...GROWING DEATH TOLLS….INCREASING THE CLOSURE AND DISTANCING UNTIL 4/30, TALKS OF SHUTTING DOWN THE MARKETS - AND WE’RE RALLYING!! GS TRADING NEAR $4. PROBABLY $4 TOO HIGH VIX: 60 - UP 2 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 160 - DOWN 7 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 50 - UP 3 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK PM CALL CRUSHING LYG LINE IN THE SAND PUTS STRATEGY BLOCK HOW TO EXPERTLY TAKE TAX LOSSES IN THIS MARKET MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM STOCKPICKER320: I HAVE A QUESTION. WITH THIS CRAZY CORONAVIRUS IMPACTED STOCK MARKET WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A PERSON OWNED A CALL OR PUT OPTION AND THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE OPTIONS EXPIRATION DATE WAS DURING THIS TIME PERIOD? WOULD THE CALL OR PUT OPTION BECOME WORTHLESS IF THE STOCK MARKET OPENED AFTER THE OPTION EXPIRATION DATE HAD PASSED? AFTER 911 I THINK THAT THE STOCK MARKET WAS CLOSED FOR 6 DAYS. AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

The Advisors Option 89: The Rise of Pandemic Volatility HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MATT AMBERSON, OPTION RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES CO-HOST: CHRIS HAUSMAN, SWAN GLOBAL INVESTMENTS CO-HOST: ERIC COTT, OPTIONS INDUSTRY COUNCIL THE BUZZ A HISTORIC WEEK/MONTH FOR THE MARKETS THOUGHTS ON CURRENT MARKET/VOLATILITY REGIME IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC SPX ON LIQUIDITY.  OVERVIEW OF NEW VOLUME RECORDS SET BY OCC - OCC FEBRUARY TOTAL VOLUME UP 60.7 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO - HIGHEST VOLUME MONTH EVER FOR U.S. EQUITY OPTIONS INDUSTRY WHAT ARE ADVISORS THINKING ABOUT THIS MARKET? EARNINGS VOLATILITY: EARNINGS SEASON RUNDOWN OPTIONS 101:  LONG STRADDLES THE STRATEGY THAT WE LOVE TO MOCK IS ACTUALLY WORKING RIGHT NOW.  THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW CRAZY THINGS NEED TO BE TO MAKE MONEY ON LONG STRADDLES. WHAT IS IT THOUGHTS/TIPS FOR TRADING LONG STRADDLES WHY ARE STRADDLES WORKING RIGHT NOW? OFFICE HOURS   QUESTION FROM TILLE: THE NEW TAX DEADLINE IS JULY 15. DOES THAT MEAN THE NEW IRA CONTRIBUTION DEADLINE IS ALSO JULY 15? QUESTION FROM ALLEN: WHEN CORPORATIONS ANNOUNCE MASSIVE SURPRISE DIVIDENDS IS THIS ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE OPTIONS? OR IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE PUTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXPECTED SELLOFF IN THE UNDERLYING STOCK. THANK YOU.  QUESTION FROM NNJ66: WHAT HAPPENS IF THE STOCK IS HALTED OR EXCHANGES ARE SHUT DOWN WHEN I OWN PUTS? QUESTION FROM EVERYTRADE: QUESTION FOR AO. HELLO. MY QUESTION IS FOR THE ADVISORS OPTION PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE OFF A LONG PUT POSITION ON A STOCK? WHEN THE STOCK HITS THE STRIKE? BEFORE. AFTER? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.  

Volatility Views 393: Volatility and Vegan Meatballs   HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT:  SHELLY BROWN, EXECUTIVE VP, MIAX VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT $2T STIMULUS APPROVED BY HOUSE - HEADED TO TRUMP FOR SIGNATURE.  THE MOTHER OF ALL DEAD CAT BOUNCES? SPIKES: 63.5 - UNCHD FROM LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 64 - UNCHD FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 175.5 - DOWN 13 FROM LAST SHOW VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL QUESTION FROM PANKASE: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT PLAYING IN LONGER-TERM VOL HERE - 1YR PLUS OUT. WORTH IT OR NOT ENOUGH VEGA BANG FOR YOUR BUCK? QUESTION FROM ALEX LUNDGREN: WILL SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THE  $VIX AND APRIL FUTURE DISCONNECT TO ME??  CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK?

TWIFO 192: Fading the Apocalypse HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CME HOT SEAT GUEST: SCOTT BAUER, PROSPER TRADING ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK AND SCOTT DISCUSS: CME MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK THE PANDEMIC’S IMPACT ON FUTURES OPTIONS TRADING CRUDE OIL EQUITIES GOLD FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM BRANDON:IS THIS VOL COLLAPSE FOR REAL? QUESTION FROM TOLLAND: CAN I GET ACCESS TO THE TWIFO REPORTS OUTSIDE OF THE LIVE SHOW STREAM? THX AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.  QUESTION FROM BUD FOX: HUGE PUT VOLUME ON SPY 3.27 250’S. THOUGHTS? BUYING OR SELLING PUTS? QUESTION FROM LOU: WHY ISN'T RUT LEADING THE CHARGE TO THE DOWNSIDE AGAIN THIS WEEK? WHAT HAPPENED?

Option Block 887: The Dead Cat Bounce That Wasn't HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO-HOST: DAVID RUSSELL, TRADESTATION TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT WE FINALLY DID IT! SORT OF. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE FEBRUARY 12, THE S&P 500 CLOSED HIGHER TWO SESSIONS IN A ROW. INITIAL JOBLESS CLAIMS SURGED TO RECORD 3.3M LAST WEEK AS CORONAVIRUS TAKES HEAVY TOLL ON ECONOMY VIX: 58 - DOWN 10 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 167 - DOWN 15 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 47 - DOWN 9 FROM LAST SHOW       ODD BLOCK LARGE CALL CREDIT SPREAD IN EEM LARGE BULLISH CALL DEBIT SPREAD IN MTCH REVIEW: MASSIVE, AND TIGHT, AMERICAN AIRLINES COLLAR? MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM NAK: EVERYTHING IS ELECTRONIC AT THE MOMENT. WHAT THE HECK DO WE DO IF EVERYTHING HAS TO SHUT DOWN? QUESTION FROM ANTHONY: ARE YOU SURPRISED AT HOW WELL THE OPTIONS MARKETS ARE HOLDING UP DURING THIS CRISIS? WHAT ABOUT THE BROKERS? SEEMS LIKE OUTSIDE OF ROBIN HOOD WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN ANY MAJOR OUTAGES EVEN.  QUESTION FROM NLE334: WHERE DO YOU THINK VIX WILL TOP OUT HERE? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

OPR 306: LIVE PANDEMIC HUDDLE On this episode, Mark and Brian huddle up to answer all of your questions in this wild pandemic market. Mark and Brian discuss: Their thoughts (and yours) about current market valuation and volatility. When you should close ITM calls. Should you alter the structure of your iron condors? What happens to your options positions if the markets shut down? And much more... The Options Playbook is available on OptionsPlaybook.com, or on the Amazon Kindle edition.  Do you have a question that you want answered on a future episode? Send it to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected]. 

OPR 305: A Safer Way To Get Long MSFT and Other Stocks  On this episode, Brian explores a safer way to get long exposure to Microsoft (ticker: MSFT) and other stocks.  The Options Playbook is available on OptionsPlaybook.com, or on the Amazon Kindle edition.  Do you have a question that you want answered on a future episode? Send it to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected]. 

Option Block 886: Market Intelligence, ITM Covered Calls and More HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO-HOST: DAVID RUSSELL, TRADESTATION TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT WORST WEEK SINCE 2008 FOR ALL MAJOR INDICES LIMIT DOWN ON SUNDAY NIGHT FED ANNOUNCING “UNLIMITED” ASSET PURCHASES NOW WE HAVE A FULLY ELECTRONIC MARKET ST. LOUIS FED TALKING ABOUT 30% UNEMPLOYMENT VIX: 68.30 - DOWN 8.3 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 182 - UP 5 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 56 - DOWN 14 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK CS CALL PALOOZA STRATEGY BLOCK ONE POTENTIAL STRATEGY IN THIS ENVIRONMENT IS IN-THE-MONEY COVERED CALLS ON THE BIG INDEX ETFS. MAIL BLOCK TRADESTATION CLIENT QUESTION OF THE WEEK? SOMETIMES I GET CONFUSED ABOUT STRATEGIES. IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO PLAN TRADES? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

Volatility Views 392:  HOW MUCH VOLATILITY CAN WE HANDLE? HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT:  SHELLY BROWN, EXECUTIVE VP, MIAX MIAX HOT SEAT: TOM JARCK, VOLATILITY PRODUCTS SPECIALIST, MIAX GUEST CO-HOST: EUAN SINCLAIR, PARTNER, TALTON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT HERE WE GO AGAIN! YET ANOTHER CRAZY VOLATILITY WEEK ON THE BOOKS.  CALIFORNIA LOCKED DOWN, NEW YORK BANNING EMPLOYEES FROM GOING TO WORK: YET THE MARKET WAS RALLYING.  VOLATILITY PRODUCTS HITTING ABSURD LEVELS ACROSS THE BOARD - TVIX HIT 969 ON 3/18, VXX HIT 77 ON 3/18, ETC.  SPIKES: 63.5 VIX CASH: 64 VVIX: 188.75 VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL QUESTION FROM MATT: I KNOW VOLATILITY HAS NO THEORETICAL LIMIT. IT CAN ALWAYS GO TO A MILLION. BUT IS THERE A PRACTICAL CEILING WHERE YOU THINK VIX CAN’T REALLY GET ABOVE? NOT WITHOUT THE WORLD FALLING APART. QUESTION FROM TOG: HELLO VOL CREW. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GETTING BACK ON THE SHORT VXX TRAIN. CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK?

Options Insider Radio Interviews: Talking Volatility And Portfolio Hedging With Northern Trust In this episode, Mark is joined by Jon Cherry, Global Head of Options at Northern Trust. Mark and Jon discuss: The current extreme levels of volatility. How Northern Trust's options clients are responding to the recent market downturn.  How much should clients really expect to pay to hedge their equity portfolios? And much more...    

TWIFO 191:  THE ENDLESS DRAMA OF THE MARKET HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD OF DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL CME HOT SEAT GUEST: RUSSELL RHOADS, HEAD OF RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, EQ DERIVATIVES ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK, SEAN AND RUSSELL DISCUSS: CME MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK CRUDE OIL NAT GAS EQUITIES: RUSSELL 1000 METALS: COPPER AND GOLD RATES: EURODOLLAR FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM AJB_2010: I WONDER IF GOING FORWARD, THE EXCHANGES WILL USE THIS MOMENT TO REPLACE HUMANS.... QUESTION FROM NATURAL-EASE: DO THEY (MARKET MAKERS) MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE? QUESTION FROM ROB MORRIS: IGNORANT QUESTION, BUT ARE THEY REALLY NEEDED ON THE FLOOR? WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO THEIR PRESENCE? QUESTION FROM RIC: ANY THOUGHTS ON FX AFTER BREXIT VOTE?