Option Block 172: Mini Crash Crush

Option Block 172: Mini Crash Crush Trading Block: VIX essentially unchanged on the day. Discussing its underperformance again as traders again showed a willingness to unload vol going into the weekend. Mini-crash crushes a number of stocks (Citi, Bank of America, etc.) and annihilates KCG. CBOE earnings this morning - net income up from 2011 despite weak options volume across the board. Facebook breaks a significant floor at the $20 handle. Trading after Apple earnings. Odd Block: Bears Pouncing on Hewlett-Packard Options (HPQ); opening call buyer in E*Trade (ETFC), and LeapFrog Call Volume at 1,713% of average; currently $10.22.Xpress Block: Sean Fitzgerald takes the OX hot seat, and discusses a recent VIX vertical spread, and trading options. Around the Block: Activision (ATVI) after the close, also watching EA. LinkedIn (LNKD) after the close. Web 2.0 is really looking like a bust all around, where's Web 3.0?