Option Block 219: Trading Options to Infinity and Beyond Trading Block: Zynga blows the doors off the market - the 2.5 puts were the sale of the century. Disney reported earlier this week, and is selling well. Activision gets a little bit of a bump to the upside. Shareholders filing suit against Apple as their cash reserve grows. Odd Block: Puts trade in DeVry Inc. (DV), puts trade in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), and a big block of calls trades in Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC). Xpress Block:...
Feb 08, 2013•1 hr 6 min
Option Block 218: Do Not Pay for Juice Trading Block: Selloff keeps some life in the VIX cash. Profit taking, and rumbles out of Spain, weigh on the market. Facebook down 5%. Apple down 2%. Odd Block: Puts trade in Dell Inc. (DELL), a massive 1x2 Call Spread Trades in Delphi Automotive PLC (DLPH), time spreads trade in Bruker BioSciences Corp. (BRKR), and calls trade in Questar Corp. (STR). Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson discusses GLD volatility, SPX PM, and premiums. Of 256 companies reporting ear...
Feb 05, 2013•1 hr
Option Block 217: Now What Are We Going to Watch? Trading Block: Most of the major indexes closed fractionally down, weighed down by some less-than-stellar earnings. There was a bit of interesting activity in Facebook. RIMM, now known as BlackBerry, announced the new BlackBerry 10. Former founder of PFG sentenced to 50 years. Netflix pulls a reverse Widow Maker. Odd Block: Big put spread goes up in Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), a large block of calls trade in Taiwan Semiconductor Inc. (TSM), a closin...
Feb 01, 2013•1 hr
Option Block 216: Embracing Degeneracy Trading Block: Most indexes closed fractionally up or down on the day. Vol continues to stay at record lows. Action in Ford and Facebook so far this week. Odd Block: Puts trade in Western Union Co. (WU), a block of calls trade in Facebook Inc. (FB), and calls trade in Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO). Xpress Block: Alex discusses the latest from the Idea Hub, which included a lot of SPX PM ideas today. CFTC approved the Euro stock futures in the U.S. to...
Jan 29, 2013•55 min
Option Block 215: Apple and More Apple Trading Block: There was a pronounced selloff in Apple following earnings. The interesting news is that almost everything was up today, except Apple. Odd Block: Unusual activity in CBOE, Infinera Corp. (INFN), and Stryker Corp. (SYK). Around the Block: More earnings next week. There could potentially be a big move, given how low volatility has been recently.
Jan 25, 2013•48 min
Option Block 214: Apple Moves and Hysteria Ensues Trading Block: The markets actually moved today! Apple breaks down below the 500 level. Oil continues to rally. Citi and BoA are both taking it on the chin following earnings. Odd Block: Some upside love in Brookdale Senior Living (BKD), calls active in Avail Pharmaceuticals, and puts selling in DeVry Inc. (DV). Xpress Block: Apple earnings have been lighting up the screens of the Idea Hub at OX. A mandatory update on Extend has been released. St...
Jan 18, 2013•1 hr 4 min
Option Block 213: Waxing Nostalgic about Floor Days Trading Block: Apple hits 11-month low and is hovering around $500 strike off news of decreasing iPhone demand. Apple selloff put some vol back into the market. Good earnings -- despite the Apple news, 80% of S&P 500 companies that have reported so have beat their earnings estimates. A lot of volume in Dell. Odd Block: Puts trade in Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (ERIC); large call seller in Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW), and calls trading i...
Jan 15, 2013•55 min
Option Block 212: Sweep the Leg, Johnny Trading Block: There was a broad rally across the street, but VIX cash languishing yet again. Alcoa earnings send out a resounding "meh," with the stock essentially unchanged. It’s a premium sellers dream. BATS executes hundreds of thousands of transactions outside NBBO. CBOE rebranding: "Execute Success." Are you sure about that? Odd Block: Calls trading in Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) calls trade, large blocks of opening calls tr...
Jan 14, 2013•56 min
Option Block 210: New Year, No Volatility Trading Block: It’s the first episode of 2013! The world hasn't ended, since the heroes in Congress once again settled on a deal. Volatility update. Odd Block: Takeover talks spur call trading in Zipcar (ZIP), and a large VXX put spread trades. Xpress Block: Earnings season begins next week with Alcoa on 1/8. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw expands upon volatility, using VIX as a weather vane, and selling puts, all wrapped within a well-told story. Mail Block...
Jan 04, 2013•54 min
Option Block 209: 2012 Year in Review 2012 Year in Review Block: A lot of whip-saw action in the market today, given the uncertainty in Washington. ETPs have added substantial end-of-day volatility. Scandal in the retail market, specifically the implosion of PFG, has lead to a steady decline in retail options volume. Peak 6 acquired Penson and created Apex Clearing, which caused a lot of problems. A lot of price movement in the underlying in Apple this year. A big SPY dividend trade ended up cos...
Dec 28, 2012•1 hr 14 min
Option Block 208: Options Fuel the Exchange War Trading Block: News is circulating of a potentially sizable acquisition/merger of ICE and NYSE Euronext, which includes ARCA and AMEX. The market was fractionally up on the day. Jan vol futures are still trading below cash. RIMM closed to the upside. Odd Block: A pickup of bullish paper in the XLF, a three-legged trade in the iShares Dow Jones Transportation Index (IYT). Xpress Block: What's new at the Idea Hub? Plus, a question from Max S: When I ...
Dec 21, 2012•57 min
Option Block 207: Ratio Combos and Weekly Premium Trading Block: We saw a broad rally across the market as rumors of a deal to avert the fiscal cliff are spreading. There was also a mild VIX selloff today. Mark put on my first taste of Apple last week - Dec 465/455 put spread. The latest on GLD. Miami Options Exchange (MIAX) finally launches. Bill Brodsky stepping down as Chairman & CEO of the CBOE. Odd Block: Large Call Buying in Endeavor International Corp. (END), calls trading in Taiwan S...
Dec 18, 2012•1 hr 2 min
Option Block 206: The Secret World of Open Interest Trading Block: It was a bloody day on the market; screens were nothing but a sea of red. Apple is now creating its own vol excitement, this time in the 500's. Is Tosaw a degenerate weekly premium seller? VIX cash headed towards the upside. GLD is at a 13 vol -- how low can it go? Odd Block: More bullish trading in Quicksilver, Inc. (ZQK) and Golden Minerals Co. (AUMN), also selling paper in AuRico Gold, Inc. (AUQ). Plus, a comment from Duffy: W...
Dec 14, 2012•1 hr 5 min
Option Block 205: The Great Collar Debate Trading Block: Most of the market was unchanged today. Vol levels in Apple have been attractively low, is Tosaw back on the short put train? GLD sees a little move to the upside. Odd Block: Unusual activity in: Dole Food Co, (DOLE), iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (EEM), and iShares MSCI Japan Index (EWJ). Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson discusses the latest and most interesting trade ideas from the "Idea Hub." A $10 OTM put spread in Apple. Listener Mai...
Dec 11, 2012•59 min
Option Block 204: Juicy AAPL Puts Trading Block: Market roughly unchanged on the day. Apple reversing its recent selloff on renewed Apple TV rumors. Apple & FoxConn also investing in American manufacturing and distribution. Holiday sales looking strong so far. Jobless claims drop after Hurricane Sandy. Sirius declares dividend and buys back $2B worth of shares. Are they yet another company trying to move up their special dividend to avoid next year's tax increase? Odd Block: Put calendar buy...
Dec 07, 2012•58 min
Option Block 203: Still Talking About the Fiscal Cliff Trading Block: A bit of a selloff across most of the major indices. Apple only up slightly today. Ford trading around the 11.5-11.40 range. Odd Block: Andrew Giovinazzi gets to run through some of the interesting and unusual activity he saw in the market, including: Leap Frog (LF), Verisign (VRSN), and BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. (BMTI). Xpress Block: A slow day at OX. Alex Jacobson takes the reins and discusses the idea hub. Around the Bl...
Dec 04, 2012•57 min
Option Block 202: VIX: How Low Can It Go? Trading Block: Zynga is up 4%, after filing Form 4 with the SEC. Who's going to gobble up Zynga? Today's rally due, in part, to some talks of potential settlement headed towards the fiscal cliff. VIX tanking. Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson gets the OX hot seat once again and discusses VIX. How low can it go? Is it actually low right now? Has our frame of reference changed, or are we in an artificially inflated environment? Mail Block: Listeners Drive the Co...
Nov 30, 2012•1 hr 1 min
Option Block 201: Traders as Quarterbacks Trading Block: Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Holiday season appears to be off to a good start. Facebook pops 8% with 60% more volume than normal. Apple rallies 18 handles. Microsoft drops their second-in-command. Interview Block: Today's guest is Anthony Crudele, Head Trader at eMini Executors. Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson gets the OX hot seat today and discusses the slow day in today's market. In other news, ISE announced that March 13 is the Mini Options la...
Nov 27, 2012•1 hr 3 min
Option Block 200: It's a CelebrationCelebration Block: Let's pat ourselves on the back for lasting for 200 episodes, the most episodes of any program on our network, and probably the most episodes of any options podcast in history. We've had more episodes than: Seinfeld, Magnum PI, The Cosby Show, Full House, Different Strokes, Golden Girls & Three's Company. We also look back at the origins of the show and share some of our favorite moments along the way, including: Sebastian's many nicknam...
Nov 20, 2012•57 min
Option Block 199: Apple Selloff and Yoga PantsTrading Block: The mild selloff continues. What is happening with VIX and realized volatility post-election? VIX calls/verticals/ratios vs. SPY puts/verticals/ratios. Does VIX win? A big Apple selloff. Is Uncle Mike getting ready to get back in? Dell earnings after hours. Tons of volume coming in for NetApp Inc.Odd Block: Interesting activity in GameStop Corp. (GME) and Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (LULU). Xpress Block: Sean Fitzgerald discusses some re...
Nov 16, 2012•57 min
Option Block 198: Sex Scandals and Star WarsTrading Block: All three major indices unchanged at 0. Mild vol selloff, following a mild rally after post-election selloff. CIA head forced out following a fantastically crazy scandal. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Titanium Metals Corp. (TIE); bullish options are in play on drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY); unusual activity in Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. (FBC).Xpress Block: John Grigus is on the OX hot seat today. What's he still doing in Groupon?Strate...
Nov 13, 2012•59 min
Option Block 197: Driving Towards the Fiscal CliffTrading Block: Markets down following presidential election. What can we attribute this to? There is strength in inelastic demand, inflation sensitive assets like GLD, corn, soybeans and wheat. Interview Block: Newcomer David Peltier, Portfolio Manager for TheStreet.com’s Stocks Under 10, gets his own segment to let our listeners get to know him and Stocks Under 10 a little better. Odd Block: Harmony Gold (HMY): a customer sold about 6,500 Jan 13...
Nov 09, 2012•45 min
Option Block 196: Election EditionTrading Block: The market took off once early polling results came in, a broad-based rally across most of the market. Vol came in after being out most of the morning.Odd Block: 30,000 contracts trade on the VIX Nov16 put.Xpress Block: John Grigus gets the OX hot seat today to discuss VIX, recent highs in volume and the ex dividend date for Apple. Mail Bag: Via email from Sigmund Fraud:I have a 401k that's invested in the S&P. What's the best way to hedge it ...
Nov 08, 2012•53 min
Option Block 195: Post-Hurricane Sandy Edition Trading Block: The market reopens Wednesday after closing for two days due to Hurricane Sandy. Apple opens nearly unched, some long premium holders ended up alright. Vol has been coming in hard. How was the NYSE not prepared for a disaster such as a hurricane? Odd Block: Straddle sold on Take 2 Interactive Software (TTWO). Xpress Block: Dave Vitamonis gets the OX hot seat for today's show and discusses using an iron condor, instead of an iron butter...
Nov 02, 2012•1 hr 3 min
Option Block 194: The Great AAPL Death KnellTrading Block: The great Apple death knell? Tosaw is out! A momentous decision. Amazon and Apple earnings after the close. Facebook earnings earlier this week. Odd Block: Volatility plays heat up on KLA-Tencor (KLAC). Xpress Block: Sean Fitzgerald gets the OX hot seat and discusses today's action on the desk. Russell credit spreads, GLD, and Zynga. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses his new stock, Chevron, and the interesting trade he made.Around the...
Oct 26, 2012•1 hr 11 min
Option Block 193: Post-Earnings Selloff & Turnaround Trading Block: Post-earnings selloff continues, but then we saw a dramatic turnaround late in the day. Iron flies on Microsoft post-earnings. Odd Block: Large call spread purchased on MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG); calls bought on Eli Lilly (LLY). Xpress Block: John Grigus gets the OX hot seat today and discusses Bank of America, new tech products, including the iPad mini, and the Samsung ChromeBook. Around the Block: Looking forward t...
Oct 23, 2012•52 min
Option Block 192: Earnings Palooza Trading Block: GOOG earnings announced early, although no one is sure why. Today is an earnings-palooza: AMD, LUV, MSFT, NOK, VZ all after the bell. Odd Block: Is McGraw-Hill Topped Out? (MHP); puts rolled on Sprint Nextel (S); volatility purchased on Hertz Global (HTZ). The Mail Block: You ask. We answer. EMAIL FROM TED, WASHINGTON: “I know you guys have touched on this a long time ago, but I can’t find the episode and I’m not sure if there was ever an answer....
Oct 19, 2012•57 min
TRADING BLOCK Vol Rundown - Vix came in today, as expected given Vol inflation on Friday and today's rally. Nobel Prize for economics announced today - Alvin Roth won. Citi and Chipotle reporting earnings today. ODD BLOCK Calls Active as Two Harbors Crashes (TWO) Protection Purchased on the Healthcare Select SPDR (XLV) Calendar Spread Trades on Wells Fargo (WFC) INTERVIEW BLOCK Today's guest: Kevin Davitt - KYO Futures Broker. Equities, ratio spreads, and upcoming webinars. AROUND THE BLOCK Earn...
Oct 16, 2012•50 min
Option Block 190: Getting Out of AAPLTrading Block: Another 0.0% move for the S&P today. Zynga was crushed again this week, and closing today at $2.43 as it takes a massive write-down on the OMG Pop acquisition. It also manages to bring Facebook down with it. Corn up 5% after U.S. harvest forecast slashed. Apple closing down about 13 handles or 2% to $628.10.Odd Block: Upside calls active on Auxilium Pharma (AUXL); will Advanced Micro Devices Earnings surprise next week (AMD)?Xpress Block: S...
Oct 12, 2012•1 hr 4 min
Option Block 189: Iron Condors and Big Trends Trading Block: Apple down about 2.5%. When might we see the minis? Groupon finally goes to the plus side. Is it time to abandon ship? Non-farms better than expected. Odd Block: Huge three-way put spread trades on Consol Energy (CNX); options action surges as Vringo pops (VRNG). Xpress Block: John Grigus takes the hot seat and discusses the many spin-offs of Sears holdings. Interview Block: Featuring Big Trends’ Price Headley Price gives an overview o...
Oct 09, 2012•55 min
