Options Boot Camp 81: Pandemic Special  You asked for it -you got it! Mark and Dan put the drill instructor hats back on for a special pandemic-themed episode.  Options Drills Segment They start by breaking down their preferred options trades for this volatile environment.  Mail Call Mark and Dan wade into the mail bag to answer your questions about theta decay,  levered ETPs vs. options, the Schwab/TD merger and much more. 

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 51:  HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP GUEST CO-HOST: JASON URBAN, CEO - DRAWBRIDGE LENDING BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE MASSIVE SELLOFF: “UNCORRELATED” BITCOIN SOLD OFF APPROX. $1900 LAST SHOW AND NOW ANOTHER APPROX. $2700 THIS WEEK SEVERAL MAJOR EXCHANGES — SAVE COINBASE AND BITSTAMP, PROMINENTLY — WERE PLAGUED BY OUTAGES OF SOME KIND THURSDAY. MOST NOTABLY, BITMEX WAS OFFLINE “FOR MAINTENANCE” FOR A TOTAL OF ONE HOUR WITH A COUPLE OF OUTAGES DURING A DAY THAT SAW HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LIQUIDATIONS. DOES CRYPTO NEED CIRCUIT BREAKERS LIKE EQUITY MARKETS? UPDATE ON DERIBIT BITCOIN OPTIONS, CME BITCOIN OPTIONS, BAKKT FUTURES BAKKT CLOSES NEW $300M FUNDING ROUND TO UNLOCK $1 TRILLION IN DIGITAL ASSETS THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT QUESTION FROM TONY: HOW IS LIQUIDITY HOLDING UP IN CRYPTO OPTIONS IN THESE CRAZY MARKETS? QUESTION FROM BITMAN: CAN YOU DISCUSS OKEX OPTIONS TRADING ON THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN PROGRAM PLEASE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINE PROGRAM? QUESTION FROM NANCE: WHY NO BAKKT PAPER?

Option Block 884: 1987 Redux...All Over Again   HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT GUEST: HENRY SCHWARTZ, TRADE ALERT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT   HERE WE GO AGAIN! - MARKETS HALT ON THE OPEN AND ARE DRIFTING LOWER.  THE FED PUT IS MEANINGLESS: THE MARKET IS COMPLETELY IGNORING YET ANOTHER EMERGENCY FED ACTION. FED CUTS RATES TO ZERO ON THE HEELS OF MASSIVE QUANTITATIVE EASING AND AN EARLIER EMERGENCY RATE CUT. ALL OF IT HAD LITTLE EFFECT.   WELCOME TO THE FUTURE!: WE’RE ALL LIVING IN AN ESSENTIALLY FULLY-ELECTRONIC OPTIONS MARKET! VIX: 76.6 - UP 11.6 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 192 - UP 38 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 46     MAIL BLOCK 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 ARE DO JUST EXPIRE WORTHLESS BECAUSE THE MARKET WAS SHUTDOWN? QUESTION FROM TONY WEBER: ANY ADVICE FOR HANDLING LARGE BID/ASK SPREADS? IS IT BETTER TO SELL OPTIONS WITH THE HOPE OF THE OPTIONS EXPIRING WORTHLESS? ARE RESTING ORDERS A GOOD IDEA? QUESTION FROM NIKTIX: WHY BOTHER WITH OPTIONS WHEN I CAN GET SHORT WITH SDS?     AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

Volatility Views 391:  Once More Unto the Breach   HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT: SIMON HO, CEO, T3 INDEX   VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT HOT ON THE HEELS OF THE WORST SELLOFF SINCE 1987 A HISTORIC WEEK FROM ANY PERSPECTIVE! CME CLOSED ITS TRADING FLOOR TO START THE WEEK NOW CBOE IS FOLLOWING SUIT AFTER TODAY SPIKES: 70 - UP 23 FROM  LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 72.4 - UP 24 POINTS FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 178.50 - UP 51.5 FROM LAST SHOW HOT VOLATILITY POSITIONS AND TRADES  SPIKES VIX OPTIONS VXX VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL 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 ARE DO JUST EXPIRE WORTHLESS BECAUSE THE MARKET WAS SHUTDOWN? CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK? MARK: 61.5 SEBASTIAN: 56.25 SIMON: 55

TWIFO 190: When Correlation Goes to One HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD OF DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL CME HOT SEAT GUEST: JEFF WHITT: CO-FOUNDER,  SIMPLY DERIVATIVE ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK, SEAN AND JEFF DISCUSS: CME CLOSING TRADING FLOOR DUE TO CORONAVIRUS FEARS SO MUCH RED ON THE SCREEN THIS WEEK EQUITIES: RUSSELL 2000 LEADING THE CHARGE TO THE DOWNSIDE, BEAT DOW INTO BEAR MARKET TERRITORY BY 2 DAYS ENERGY: WTI/CRUDE OIL - RUSSIA/OPEC PRICE WAR HAS ANNIHILATED CRUDE METALS: WHEN IT ALL HITS THE FAN CORRELATION GOES TO 1. GOLD POTENTIALLY UNDERPERFORMING EXPECTATIONS RATES/FX: EURODOLLAR - THE EURO WEAKENED ON THURSDAY AFTER THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK ANNOUNCED MORE STIMULUS TO FIGHT THE CORONAVIRUS IMPACT BUT DID NOT LOWER INTEREST RATES, WITH THE SINGLE CURRENCY FALLING TO THE DAY’S LOW AS INVESTORS RUSHED FOR DOLLARS. FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM SELAMY: WHY ARE THE SMALL CAPS BEING HIT HARDER THAN THE LARGE CAPS IN THE CORONAVIRUS STOCK MARKET SELLOFF? QUESTION FROM COLBY: WITH GOLD DOWN, IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY? WOULD IT BE BETTER TO BUY OPTIONS ON GOLD?

Option Block 883: 1987 Redux   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 THE BULL IS OFFICIALLY DEAD - IT WAS A GOOD RUN. OVER 11 YEARS.  DOW, S&P AND NASDAQ ALL NOW OFFICIALLY IN BEAR MARKET TERRITORY.  TRIGGERED CIRCUIT BREAKERS TWICE IN ONE WEEK GOLDMAN STUDIED BEAR MARKETS BACK TO 1835 VIX: 65 - UP 12 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 154 - UP 11 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 46 -  UP NEARLY 11 FROM LAST SHOW TALKING $MSFT, $TSLA, $AAPL, $BA, $BAC, $AMD  ODD BLOCK AGGRESSIVE LINE IN THE SAND IN CIM MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM ANGEL: DOES UNCLE MIKE STILL HAVE SHORT PUTS ON RIGHT NOW OR IS HE CANCELING ALL BULLISH EQUITY TRADES UNTIL ALL OF THIS CALMS DOWN? ALSO - FOR HIS BROAD EQUITY PORTFOLIOS DOES HE ALWAYS HAVE A HEDGE COMPONENT OR DOES HE ONLY PUT THEM ON SELECTIVELY DEPENDING ON MARKET CONDITIONS? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

OPR 303: A Rare Pandemic Straddle in USO On this episode, Brian discusses a rare pandemic-inspired long straddle in USO. 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]. 

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 50: THE GREAT CRYPTO DRAWDOWN  HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP GUEST CO-HOST: BILL ULIVIERI, PRINCIPAL /OWNER - CENACLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE BITCOIN HAS PLUNGED TO TWO-MONTH LOWS SINCE SUNDAY, POSSIBLY DUE TO AN OVER-$100 MILLION LIQUIDATION BY PLUSTOKEN SCAMMERS UPDATE ON DERIBIT BITCOIN OPTIONS, CME BITCOIN OPTIONS, BAKKT FUTURES BITCOIN HAS SIX ADVANTAGES OVER GOLD  THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE DISCUSSING TERNIO TOKEN CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT QUESTION FROM TAYLOR: WHAT’S UP WITH THIS SELLOFF? I THOUGHT BTC WASN’T CORRELATED? QUESTION FROM LL556: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CME BTC VOLUME SO FAR? QUESTION FROM J3DINGLE: HAVE YOU CONSIDERED RENAMING THE SHOW "THE CRYPTO DRAWDOWN" ?

Option Block 882: The Depths of Market Madness 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 THE WORLD HAS LOST ITS COLLECTIVE MIND: SAUDIS AND RUSSIA DECIDE TO RACE EACH OTHER TO THE BOTTOM IN PERHAPS THE MOST BEWILDERING PRICE WAR IN CRUDE HISTORY. NORTH KOREA DECIDES TO LAUNCH MORE MISSILES BECAUSE WHY NOT AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS TRIGGERED AT CME AND NYSE. BLOOMBERG WRITING ABOUT 100 LOT OF VIX CALLS VIX: 53- UP 16 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 143: UP 28 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 35.35:  UP 10 FROM LAST SHOW ROBINHOOD APP HAD ANOTHER OUTAGE TODAY. ODD BLOCK SIZE MAT LITS PUTS SIZE KTB LITS PUTS REVIEW LBTYK CALL LOVE MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM TONY WEBER: THE GREASYIST OF MEATBALLS, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VIX OPTIONS STRATEGY FOR +50 VIX? DO YOU SELL ITM SHORT TERM (MAR 17) CALLS AGAINST LONG TERM CALLS? IS THIS "VIX MADE STUPID?" QUESTION FROM ILIAN: THIS IS NUTS! I’M THINKING ABOUT STARTING TO NIBBLE AT THESE LEVELS. WHAT ARE YOUR PREFERRED WAYS TO USE OPTIONS NOW TO START NIBBLING WITHOUT LOSING MY SHIRT IF THE MARKET CONTINUES CRAPPING OUT? I DON’T WANT TO JUST LOAD UP ON OVERPRICED PUTS.  AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

Volatility Views 390:  Volatility Is Feeling The Bern   HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT: RUSSELL RHOADS, TABB GROUP   VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT CBOE RISK MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE RUNDOWN. ANOTHER ROUGH WEEK FOR THE MARKET. SPIKES: 46.90 - UP .15 FROM  LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 48.4 - UP 2.4 POINTS FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 126.90 - UP .15 FROM LAST SHOW HOT VOLATILITY POSITIONS AND TRADES  SPIKES VIX OPTIONS VXX VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL QUESTION FROM LANCASTER: HAVE YOU HEARD ANY MORE ABOUT THE STATUS OF SVIX? CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK? MARK: 43.5 SEBASTIAN: 49.38 RUSSELL: 37

Option Block 881: The Gamma Gods  HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI AND MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT SURPRISE FED RATE CUT AND IMPACT ON VOLATILITY. VIX: 36.97- UP 3.37 FROM LAST SHOW  VVIX: 115.42 - DOWN 1.58 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 25.46 - UP 3.31 FROM LAST SHOW OCC VOLUME NUMBERS FOR FEBRUARY ODD BLOCK UNUSUAL OPTIONS ACTIVITY IN RWT, APD, SNSS MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM DOM: WHAT IS A GOOD USE CASE FOR LONG STRADDLES? I KNOW THAT THEY ERODE QUICKLY AND ARE EXPENSIVE. WHAT’S THE UPSIDE? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

TWIFO 189: Fed Surprises as Volatility Rises HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD OF DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK AND SEAN,  DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF THE SURPRISE FED RATE CUT ON THE MARKETS,  EXPLORE WHAT THE FEDWATCH WAS PREDICTING COMING INTO THIS WEEK,  DO A DEEP DIVE INTO EQUITY VOLATILITY RESEARCH, ANALYZE THE EXPLOSION OF EURODOLLAR OPTIONS VOLUME HITTING THE TAPE, LOOK AT THE CORONAVIRUS IMPACT ON CRUDE, AND MUCH MORE.

OPR 302: FOMO SPY Bull Call Spread On this episode, Brian discusses a FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) SPY long call spread for the short term. If you are out of the markets and scared to get back in, here is a trade that you might consider. The FOMO Free Financial Future digital conference from Ally Invest will be held on March 11, 2020. Learn more at https://www.ally.com/go/invest/fomofree/ 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 880: The Dead Scaredy Low? HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI AND MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT HOW LONG CAN 35 VOL LAST? VIX: 33.60- UP 2.4 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 117-UP 3 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 22.15 - UP APPROX 1 FROM LAST SHOW ROBINHOOD APP DOWN ALL DAY ODD BLOCK CALL SELLERS IN VALE HUGE PUT CLOSE ROLL IN TEVA STRATEGY BLOCK KEEPING MONEY IN CASH DURING THIS TIME PERIOD MAIL BLOCK   QUESTION FROM MIKE TOSAW: LOOK AT THE PRICING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPX AND SPY. THE PRICING IS OFF. I'M STILL IN CASH, SO IT ISN'T A BIG DEAL TO ME BUT DO ANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY INSIGHT ON THAT?   QUESTION FROM OLADONEGRO: CAN U PLEASE TELL ME WHY TSLA PUT OPTIONS $920 EXPIRATION FEB 21, DIDN'T INCREASE THE VALUE AS THE STOCK PLUNGES TODAY AT 11:20 AM ? ACTUALLY THEY DROP A LITTLE MORE AS HE STOCK WAS FALLING , ONLY REALLY START TO INCREASE IN PRICE AFTER THE STOCK BREAK VWAP AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

AO 88: How to Hedge a Pandemic Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Co-Hosts: Matt Amberson - ORATS Chris Hausman - Swan Global Investments Eric Cott - OIC The Buzz We explore whether the current level of pandemic volatility is here to stay and what that means for your client's portfolios.  Options 101 We explore a variety of pandemic hedging strategies and how to pay for them.  Office Hours We answer your questions about crypto options and more. 

Volatility Views 389: The Great Volatility Standoff HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT: SIMON HO, T3 INDEX   VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT THIS IS A HISTORIC WEEK BY ANY MEASURE.  DOW SET FOR IT’S 5TH WORST WEEK OF ALL TIME. SPX: S&P OFF OVER 10% SPIKES: 46.75 - UP 33 FROM  LAST SHOW  VIX CASH: 46 - UP 32 POINTS FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 126.75 - UP 28 FROM LAST SHOW HOT VOLATILITY POSITIONS AND TRADES  SPIKES VIX OPTIONS VXX VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL QUESTION FROM YELA: DID 50 CENT TAKE HIS PROFITS? THANK YOU.  QUESTION FROM THOMAS: I’VE HEARD IT SAID THAT IT’S BEST TO BUY VIX WHEN IT’S HIGH AND SELL IT WHEN IT’S LOW? IS THAT TRUE? WHY? CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK? MARK: 32.45 ANDREW: 29.50 SIMON: 43

TWIFO 188:  Pandemic Volatility Roils Markets HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD OF DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK AND SEAN DISCUSS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK. TOPICS FEATURED INCLUDE ENERGY, NAT GAS, WTI, CRUDE OIL, EQUITIES, RBOB, AND RATES. WE LOOK AT MICRO EMINI FUTURES AND THE CME FEDWATCH TOOL. FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM JLD: IS SKEW DATA ON CME BTC RELIABLE WHEN THERE’S SUCH LOW VOLUME? QUESTION FROM BILLBEANZ: WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE 3-MONTH FAR OTM PUTS SO MUCH IN RUSSELL? QUESTION FROM JACK SCHWARTZ: HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RUSSELL 2000 IS LEADING EQUITIES DOWN ON SUCH MACRO-DRIVEN NEWS? QUESTION FROM ELL87: IT SEEMS LIKE DEMAND WEAKNESS IS HERE TO STAY FOR CRUDE IN THE NEAR TERM. LOOKS LIKE THOSE CALL WING TRADERS WERE ALL CORRECT WHEN THEY FADED EVERY RALLY. CORONAVIRUS WAS THE REAL RISK LURKING IN THE SHADOWS.

Option Block 879: Pandemic Volatility Madness HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT A CRAZY DAY/WEEK FOR OPTIONS VOLUME /VOLATILITY NEW ALL-TIME OPTION VOLUME RECORD THIS WEEK. VIX: 31.20 - UP NEARLY 7 FROM LAST SHOW - HIT A HIGH OF NEARLY 35 TODAY VVIX: 114 -UP 3 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 21 - UP NEARLY 4 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK PLAN HGV PTLA MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM MARK BRANT: FITTY LOOKING PRETTY! HAS HE CASHED OUT? QUESTION FROM MAZ: IS THE WHOLE ASP STILL IN CASH? WHAT WOULD BE SOME GOOD OPTIONS PLAYS TO START GETTING BACK INTO THE GAME HERE? QUESTION FROM JORGE: ARE WE ALL DEAD? QUESTION FROM JIM ROTH: IS THIS ALL CORONA OR IS THERE SOME SANDERS EFFECT GOING ON AS WELL? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

OPR 301: Using Credit Spreads to Pay For SPX FliesOn this episode, Brian breaks down how to use credit spreads in conjunction with long butterflies to create skip-strike flies in SPX.  He also reviews the impact of the recent Corona Virus on the broad market and the VIX.  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]. 

THE CRYPTO RUNDOWN 49: CRYPTO LIVES WHILE MARKET WITHERS THIS WEEK'S TOPICS: CME BITCOIN FUTURES AND BAKKT FUTURES BITCOIN OPTIONS AND FUTURES VOLUME, VOLATILITY, TRADING ACTIVITY AND SKEW BREAKDOWN. ETHER OPTIONS VOLUME, VOLATILITY, TRADING ACTIVITY AND SKEW BREAKDOWN. ALTCOIN BREAKDOWN ANSWERS TO YOUR CRYPTO QUESTIONS AND MORE…

THE OPTION BLOCK 878: EVERYONE IS IN CASHIt's a historic day on The Option Block when both #UncleMike and #TheGreasyMeatball are both in cash! What does that mean for you? You'll have to tune in to find out. Plus we discuss unusual activity in $BGS, $ADM, $MAS and #UncleMike breaks down what to do when your short put spread moves against you. All that and more on this episode of The Option Block. 

OPR 300th Episode SpectacularOn this episode, Mark and Brian celebrate an impressive milestone for OPR! Not many programs in any medium, let alone podcasts, survive for 300 episodes. What better way to celebrate this landmark achievement than by welcoming on the people who made it all possible...YOU! Topics discussed: Should the Fig Leaf really be The Speedo? What to do if a call trade goes against you? Why aren't options free to trade? What does Brian think about bitcoin options? What portion of your portfolio should you REALLY allocate toward hedging? 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 them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected]. 

Volatility Views 388: Remarkably Unremarkable Volatility HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT: SIMON HO, T3 INDEX MIAX HOT SEAT: PAT HENNESSY, IPS STRATEGIC CAPITAL   VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT MARKETS DOWN SLIGHTLY AFTER A STRONG WEEK - RALLIED FOR MOST OF THE WEEK UNTIL TODAY  IMPEACHMENT FEARS ARE BEHIND US APPARENTLY PANDEMIC FEARS ARE APPARENTLY ALSO BEHIND US NOTHING HAS BEEN ABLE TO UNSEAT THIS PHENOMENAL RALLY IN U.S. EQUITIES. NOT A TRADE WAR. NOT A PANDEMIC. NOT ASSASSINATIONS. NOTHING. EXPLORING WHY FIFTY CENT HASN'T CLOSED MORE OF HIS VIX OPTIONS POSITION SPIKES: 14.60 - DOWN .4 FROM  LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 14.2 - DOWN .8 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 98.3 - UP 3.3 FROM LAST SHOW   HOT VOLATILITY POSITIONS AND TRADES  SPIKES VIX OPTIONS VXX CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK? MARK: 15.25 ANDREW: 14.85 SIMON: 14.5/14.65 PAT: 13.5

TWIFO 187: The Zone of Annoying Volatility HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CME HOT SEAT GUEST:  ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK AND ANDREW DISCUSS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK. JANUARY OPTIONS NUMBERS FOR CME GROUP & OPTIONS COMPLEX OVERVIEW TOPICS FEATURED INCLUDE NAT GAS, WTI, EQUITIES, SOYBEANS, RBOB, AND CRYPTO. FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM RACQUEL: WHAT ARE SOME OTHER MARKETS THAT EXHIBIT SIMILAR SKEW TO EQUITY INDICES (E.G.- CHEAP CALLS AND EXPENSIVE PUTS)  QUESTION FROM DALY: UPTICK IN CME CRYPTO THIS WEEK? QUESTION FROM MARCUS T.: I THINK CRUDE DEMAND WILL RECOVER IN THE NEXT 1-2 YEARS. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO BE A LONG-TERM OIL BULL? FUTURES? OPTIONS? ETF? SOMETHING ELSE?

Option Block 877: Tasty Prunes and Exotic Elixirs HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT TSLA MYSTERY PUTS AND OPTIONS ACTIVITY VIX: 14.15 - UP 1.15 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 99 -UP 3 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 13.6 - DOWN .5 FROM LAST SHOW   ODD BLOCK REVIEW - MDLA LINE IN THE SAND PUTS REVIEW - MLCO CALL LOVE NTAP AGGRESSIVE LINE IN THE SAND PUTS MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM NACEL: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REALLY BECOME AN EXPERT AT OPTIONS TRADING? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

OPR 299: Going Diagonal Around Lowe's Earnings  On this episode, Brian explores one way to trade a diagonal call spread ahead of Lowe's earnings announcement (ticker: $LOW).  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 them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected]. 

TCR 48: Getting the TradingView On Crypto THE CRYPTO HOTSEAT GUEST: Pierce Crosby, GM - TradingView Mark and Pierce discuss: Overview of new TradingView crypto offerings How large is the TradingView crypto community? What are the leading products in the TradingView community? BITCOIN BREAKDOWN Bulls still in charge  -BTC surged back over $10,000 this week. BTC #31 in the S&P 500 market cap list BTC volume, Volatility, OI, Call/Put and Unusual Activity breakdown. THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE More shakeups in the Crypto Top Ten Big moves in ETH, XRP and more this week. Which altcoin are on the TradingView radar? CRYPTO QUESTIONS We answer your questions about crypto options, the best brokers for crypto and more. 

OB 876: Where the Trees End and Volatility Begins On this episode Mark, The Rock Lobster and Uncle Mike discuss: How is the pandemic impacting, or not impacting, this market in SPY, VIX, QQQ, IWM and more.  Hot TSLA options Earnings Vol Update: LYFT, CISCO, TEVA, BABA and more Odd Block One dollar collars in AAL Funky XB puts Earnings swings for the fences in LBTYK Strategy Block Managing Vertical Put Spreads Around the Block Pandemic fears lingering

Volatility Views 387: Pandemics, Fifty Cent, Lawsuits and more On this episode, Mark & Mark discuss: - The market is shrugging off pandemic concerns.  - Interesting options activity in VIX and Spikes. - Evolution of the VIX futures curve - Why bother with wide verticals in VIX? - The delicate dance of fading VXX - Earnings volatility palooza in CBOE, GRUB, and more. VOLATILITY VOICEMAIL - We answer your questions about VIX lawsuits, Fifty Cent and more.  THE CRYSTAL BALL -We give our picks for future volatility. 

On Strategy Spotlight, host Ed Modla chats with Parkwood Capital’s Kerry Given, a.k.a. Dr. Duke, about the Iron Condor. They discuss how the strategy is constructed, the impact of market conditions and differences to consider when comparing stock to index options. Later in the show, Ed answers listener questions about implied volatility and option exercise.

TWIFO 186: Bitcoin Breakdown and Equity Analysis HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD OF DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL CME HOT SEAT GUEST: TIM MCCOURT, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT CME GROUP, GLOBAL HEAD OF EQUITY PRODUCTS ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK, SEAN AND TIM DISCUSS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK. TOPICS FEATURED INCLUDE CRYPTO, EQUITIES, WTI AND COPPER. CRYPTO THE LAUNCH OF BITCOIN OPTIONS DISCONNECT BETWEEN BITCOIN FUTURES VOLUME AND BITCOIN OPTIONS VOLUME FACTORS DRIVING THE RECENT UPTICK IN BITCOIN OPTIONS VOLUME - 48 CONTRACTS TRADED ON MONDAY CME'S PLANS TO GROW BITCOIN OPTIONS VOLUME ARE THERE PLANS FOR A MICRO/MINI BITCOIN CONTRACT TO DRIVE MORE RETAIL ADOPTION? WHEN CAN WE STOP QUOTING BITCOIN VOLUME IN NOTIONAL VALUE? EQUITIES VIX: 15 - DOWN 2.3 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 91.3 - DOWN 10 FROM LAST SHOW RVX: 16.5 - DOWN 2.75 FROM LAST SHOW  VIX/RVX SPREAD - APPROX. 1.5 - .5 TIGHTER THAN LAST SHOW OVERVIEW OF CME EQUITY OPTIONS COMPLEX IN 2019 - HIGHS AND LOWS, VOLUME TRENDS, DEVELOPMENTS, ETC.  FACTORS DRIVING THE INCREDIBLE ADOPTION OF EQUITY MICRO FUTURES. ANY PLANS FOR MICRO OPTIONS? THOUGHTS ON CURRENT EQUITY VOLATILITY LANDSCAPE AND HOW PANDEMIC FEARS ARE IMPACTING VOLATILITY/VOLUME. WTI DIPPED BELOW $50 THIS WEEK - FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A YEAR NOW OFFICIALLY IN A BEAR MARKET - NEARLY 25% OFF ITS 52 WEEK HIGH OF $66.60 FROM APRIL 2019 WTI CRUDE HAS DECLINED 20% IN THE PAST MONTH, AND IT COULD SHED ANOTHER 10%, BASED ON HISTORY. WHEN CRUDE OIL FALLS BELOW $50, IT TENDS TO STAY DOWN, AND A NEGATIVE TREND IN THE S&P 500 FOLLOWS. OPEC & RUSSIA CONSIDERING EMERGENCY PRODUCTION CUTS - WILL THAT BE ENOUGH? COPPER BIG MOVER THIS WEEK FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK QUESTION FROM DEMOCAT: ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR MINI (MICRO) RUSSELL OPTIONS? QUESTION FROM ELLIE: ARE THERE STILL SIZE LIMITS ON HOW MANY EMINI S&P FUTURES YOU CAN TRADE ELECTRONICALLY ON GLOBEX? QUESTION FROM BELDEN: WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE ETHER REFERENCE RATE GOING FORWARD?

Option Block 875: Options Origin Stories HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT THIS VIRUS IS CONSUMING LARGE SWATHES OF CHINA AND THE MARKET DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE VIX: 15 - DOWN 2.65 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 91.3 - DOWN NEARLY 10 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 14.1 - DOWN1.6 FROM LAST SHOW OCC ANNOUNCED THAT JANUARY 2020 TOTAL CLEARED CONTRACT VOLUME WAS 521,727,816 CONTRACTS, THE INDUSTRY’S HIGHEST JANUARY EVER – UP 23.5 PERCENT FROM JANUARY 2019, AND THE THIRD HIGHEST MONTH OVERALL.  ODD BLOCK HL CALL PALOOZA DBX PUT LOVE TSG LONG TERM CALL LOVE MAIL BLOCK QUESTION FROM CHINOOK: What do you mean by the term par? QUESTION FROM JOHNK: WHAT MADE YOU GET INTO OPTIONS? QUESTION FROM RECIPE3Z: WHY DOESN’T ANYONE BECOME A MARKET MAKER IN OPTIONS ANYMORE? I BELIEVE ANDREW EVEN SAID THEY TRAINED A STUDENT TO BECOME A MARKET MAKER AND THAT IS EXTREMELY RARE NOW. WHY? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

OPR 298: Let's Sell Some SPY Call Spreads On this episode, Brian discusses selling a call spread in the S&P index. 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 them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected]. 

The Crypto Rundown 47: Bulls Still in Charge BITCOIN BREAKDOWN SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT BITCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE CME BITCOIN OPTIONS BAKKT FUTURES THE ALTCOIN UNIVERSE SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ALTCOIN TRADES, TRENDS, VOLUME, VOLATILITY, SKEW AND MORE CRYPTO QUESTIONS SEGMENT   QUESTION FROM STADIAN: WHAT’S UP WITH THE FRACTIONAL OPTIONS TRADES ON DERIBIT? QUESTION FROM ACTON:  DO YOU THINK THE SCHWAB TD MERGER WILL HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON CRYPTO TRADING? COMMENT FROM DANTOM: WE NEED AN OCC FOR CRYTPO OPTIONS SO WE CAN HAVE SOME SENSE OF WHAT IS GOING UP OUT THERE. IT’S JUST A CRAZY MINEFIELD OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. BUT KEEP THE GREAT SHOWS COMING.

Option Block 874: Tesla...Seriously...WTH?  HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT BREAKING DOWN SURPRISING OPTIONS TRADES IN TESLA VIX: 17. 65 - UP .35 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 101 - UNCHANGED FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 15.7 - UP .1 FROM LAST SHOW ODD BLOCK REVIEW - LAST MINUTE PREMIUM HARVESTING IN MO REVIEW - JBL PUT LOVE TPR CALL LOVE STRATEGY BLOCK HOW TO USE SHORT PUT SPREADS IN THIS VOLATILE MARKET MAIL BLOCK COMMENT FROM MIXLR CHAT - MARK BRANT: $TSLA CALLS ARE AS HOT AS SHAKIRA LAST NIGHT IN MIAMI! COMMENT FROM JEFF THAYER: TESLA...DONT GO UP ANYMORE...LOL....1.00 BIDS I BOUGHT JUST SOLD FOR 4.35 AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

Volatility Views 386:  A Volatility Tornado Watch HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MARK SEBASTIAN, THE OPTION PIT MIAX HOT SEAT: JOHN SMOLLEN, MIAX EXCHANGE GROUP MIAX HOT SEAT: SIMON HO, T3 INDEX VOLATILITY REVIEW SEGMENT GOOD EARNINGS TRUMPED BY MACRO FEARS OF A GROWING PANDEMIC: TSLA, APPLE, AMAZON BLOW THE DOORS OFF BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO RALLY THE MARKET IN THE FACE OF GROWING CORONAVIRUS FEARS.  FIDDY CENT CERTAINLY LOOKS PRETTY PRESCIENT RIGHT NOW  SPIKES: 19.25 - UP 3.75 FROM  LAST SHOW VIX CASH: 19.25 - UP NEARLY 4 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 105 - UP NEARLY 7.5 PTS FROM LAST SHOW   HOT VOLATILITY POSITIONS AND TRADES  SPIKES VIX OPTIONS VXX CRYSTAL BALL WHERE WILL VIX/SPIKES BE NEXT WEEK? MARK: 17.75? MEATBALL: 18.50? SIMON: 19.50?

The Advisors Option 87: Pandemic Volatility Plus 3 Strategies You Need to Know HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: MATT AMBERSON, OPTION RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES CO-HOST: CHRIS HAUSMAN, SWAN GLOBAL INVESTMENTS THE BUZZ THOUGHTS ON CURRENT PANDEMIC VOLATILITY ENVIRONMENT - DOW PLUNGES 454 POINTS AS FEARS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS RATTLE INVESTORS  EARNINGS SEASON UPDATE CME FINALLY LAUNCHES BITCOIN OPTIONS - AN IMPORTANT STEP IN FINALLY MAKING CRYPTO ACCESSIBLE TO RIAS AND ASSET MANAGERS.  JUDGE DISMISSES WALL STREET 'FEAR GAUGE' LAWSUIT AGAINST CBOE TRICKS OF THE TRADE INSPIRED BY THIS LISTENER QUESTION:   QUESTION FROM TELNER6: WHAT ARE THE THREE STRATEGIES THAT YOU FEEL EACH ADVISOR SHOULD HAVE IN HIS BACK POCKET FOR WHEN CLIENTS ASK ABOUT OPTIONS?     OFFICE HOURS COMMENT FROM NETTLES: THX FOR THIS SHOW. LOVE IT. QUESTION FROM ED MARTIN: I ENJOY ALLOCATING APPROX. 10% OF MY CLIENTS PORTFOLIOS TO PRECIOUS METALS - PARTICULARLY GOLD. I FIND IT TO BE A USEFUL DIVERSIFICATION TOOL FOR LONG EQUITY PORTFOLIOS. YOU’VE RECOMMENDED USING SHORT PUTS AS AN ENTRY TOOL FOR EQUITIES IN THE PAST. CAN THIS SAME STRATEGY BE UTILIZED IN A COMMODITY ETF LIKE GLD? ARE THERE ANY CAVEATS OR PITFALLS I SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR? WOULD I BE BETTER OFF WRITING OPTIONS ON THE FUTURES?  QUESTION FROM AJ HERNANDEZ: ESG IS ALL THE RAGE IN THE INVESTING WORLD RIGHT NOW. HAS THIS HAD ANY SPILLOVER INTO OPTIONS YET? CAN I BUY ESG OPTIONS? QUESTION FROM CONSTANTINE: WHY ARE THERE SO FEW OPTIONS BASED FUND MANAGERS OUT THERE TODAY? QUESTION FROM ANGELO: I CAN TRADE COVERED CALLS IN MY CLIENTS RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. CAN I ALSO TRADE CASH-SECURED PUTS TO INITIATE LONG EQUITY POSITIONS?

TWIFO 185: PANDEMIC CRUDE HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD OF DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL CME HOT SEAT GUEST: ADAM WEBB, FOUNDER OF MACROHEDGED  ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK, SEAN AND ADAM DISCUSS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK. TOPICS FEATURED INCLUDE CRUDE, BRENT, EQUITIES, RATES AND LEAN HOGS. WTI CRUDE OIL PRICES ARE WEAKENING AGAIN AS CONCERNS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK COME BACK INTO THE SPOTLIGHT AND DOMINATE THE OVERALL MARKET SENTIMENT. SURPRISINGLY, PEOPLE ARE NOT WADING INTO HUGE DOWNSIDE PUT BETS IN WTI RIGHT NOW. FUTURES OPTIONS FEEDBACK: COMMENT FROM KAMAR: SEEMS LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN FADING WTI CALLS FOR MONTHS WERE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. THIS PRODUCT CAN’T EVEN CATCH A BID WHEN THE MIDDLE EAST IS IN FLAMES. NOW THIS VIRUS IS SQUEEZING OUT THE LAST OF THE DEMAND. SOLD TO YOU! QUESTION FROM JJL8: IS IT TIME FOR RECON YET? QUESTION FROM ELIAN: MORE VOLUME ON THE TAPE THIS WEEK FOR THE BITCOIN OPTIONS? QUESTION FROM ALLISON B.: HAVE YOU GUYS EVER DONE A STRADDLE RUN ON THE SHOW? MIGHT BE INTERESTING FOR CRUDE AND ES AND CORN. GREAT PROGRAM. I LISTEN EVERY WEEK. QUESTION FROM JACK ATTACK: DO IWM AND RUT OPTIONS ALWAYS TRADE AROUND THE SAME SKEW AND VOLATILITY? OR ARE THERE DIFFERENT CROWDS FOR THESE PRODUCTS?

Option Block 873: Revenge of the TSLA Mystery Puts HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT PANDEMIC FEARS CAN’T STOP THE BULL APPLE AND TESLA BLEW THE DOORS OFF THIS WEEK VIX: 17.3 - DOWN .2 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 101.5 - DOWN 3.5 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 15.6 - DOWN .1 FROM LAST SHOW  ODD BLOCK LAST MINUTE PREMIUM HARVESTING IN MO JBL PUT LOVE SCHW CALL OVERWRITE MAIL BLOCK COMMENT FROM EDWARD ELSEWHERE: LOVE YOUR PODCASTS!! QUESTION FROM FRIENDSTER: DO YOU THINK THE WHOLE MOVE TO ZERO COMMISSIONS HAS BEEN GOOD FOR OPTIONS TRADERS? AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

OPR 297: Disney Pandemic Woes Plus Amazon Earnings Butterfly On this episode, Brian explores how the Coronavirus concerns impacted his Disney Iron Condor trade from last week. Then he explores a potential earnings butterfly trade on Amazon. 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 them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected]. 

The Crypto Rundown 46: Flight to Crypto Quality This week's topics: Massive crypto rally in the face of broad market pandemic fears. What the heck is The Guppy? CME bitcoin options are live...how was the volume? Bitcoin options and futures volume, volatility, trading activity and skew breakdown. Ether options volume, volatility, trading activity and skew breakdown. Altcoin breakdown Answers to your crypto questions and more...

Option Block 872: We're Not All Going To Die HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT PANDEMIC FEARS CONTINUE TO RATTLE THE MARKET VIX: 17.5 - UP NEARLY 4 FROM LAST SHOW VVIX: 105 - UP OVER 11 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 15.4 - UP 1.65 FROM LAST SHOW EARNINGS: APPL, SBUX, BA, TSLA, FB, MSFT, AMZN ODD BLOCK REVIEW INTEL EARNINGS DAY CALL LOVE LVS CALL SALE/ ROLLING DOWN IN WEIRD NON-SPREAD PAPER ZNGA CALL LOVE STRATEGY BLOCK EXTRINSIC VALUE WITH OPTIONS AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?  

VV 385: Pandemic Volatility - Fears of a pandemic out of China spark the first major selloff of the new decade.  - Surprisingly wide markets in VIX options - Forget FANG...it's all about MAGA - MSFT, AAPL, GOOGL & AMZN - October VIX futures are insanely overpriced and need to be sold immediately - Fiddy Cent gobbling up more VIX calls this week - The joys of ratio put spreads in VIX - VXX can be an infuriating mistress - Our Quarterly Earnings Volatility Breakdown - Who is winning and losing earnings season so far? - Is $AAPL earnings volatility too cheap? - Plus your questions about August VIX options, our Crystal Ball Picks and more...  

TWIFO 184: Pandemics Boost Gold and Spook Crude HOST: MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CME HOT SEAT: SCOTT BAUER, PROSPER TRADING ACADEMY ON TODAY'S EPISODE, MARK AND SCOTT DISCUSS: CMEGROUP RECORD INTERNATIONAL AVERAGE DAILY VOLUME IN 2019. MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR THE WEEK. TRADES IN EQUITIES, CRUDE, GOLD AND SILVER. STRANGE SHIFTING NARRATIVE ON THE WEEK IN CRUDE - SUPPLY REDUCTION FROM LIBYA TO START THE WEEK AND THEN ONE-TWO PUNCH OF A SUPPLY GLUT AND DISEASE FEARS. OIL: IS MIDEAST RISK PREMIUM TOO LOW?  GOLD FUTURES MARKED THEIR HIGHEST SETTLEMENT IN OVER TWO WEEKS AS THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS IN ASIA FED RISK-OFF SENTIMENT AMONG TRADERS, PRESSURING GLOBAL STOCK MARKETS AND U.S. BOND YIELDS, AND BOOSTING HAVEN DEMAND FOR THE PRECIOUS METAL. AND MUCH MORE...

Option Block 871:  HOST:  MARK LONGO, THE OPTIONS INSIDER CO-HOST: ANDREW GIOVINAZZI, OPTION PIT CO-HOST: MIKE TOSAW, ST. CHARLES WEALTH MANAGEMENT TRADING BLOCK SEGMENT VIX: 13.65 - UP 1.4 VVIX: 93.65 - UP 3.3 FROM LAST SHOW VXX: 13.75 - UP .35 FROM LAST SHOW  ODD BLOCK INTEL EARNINGS DAY CALL LOVE CME LONG TERM PUT LOVE MEGA DHT MARCH CALL LOVE STRATEGY BLOCK CANNABIS STOCK STRATEGY  AROUND THE BLOCK WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK?

OPR 296: Soaring Into Disney Iron Condors On this episode, Brian reviews his tasty McDonalds butterfly trade from last week then soars into a new iron condor on Disney.  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 them to Brian at [email protected], or to the Options Insider at [email protected]. 

The Crypto Rundown 45: Catching Up With ErisX In this special holiday edition of The Crypto Hot Seat - Mark is joined by: Matt Trudeau, Chief Strategy Officer - ErisX Mark and Matt discuss - Why launch physically settled futures? - Why create fractional bitcoin contracts? - Any plans to enter the bitcoin options fray? - Any plans for altcoin futures? - Are U.S. regulators becoming more crypto friendly? - Thoughts on the extremely crowded crypto trading space? -Is ErisX concerned about the impact of the TD/Schwab merger? - And more...

Volatility Views 384: Return of FiddyCent...and The Wiggles!!!! On today's episode, Mark, The Rock Lobster and special guest Simon Ho of T3 Index discuss: - The crazy VIX futures curve - Why SPIKES and VIX have disassociated - The explosive return of Fiddy Cent - The mysteries of SPX market maker delta hedging - Funky long-term VXX puts - and much more...