Option Block 432: Brazen Illegal Activity in AVP

Trading Block: Rally ho on the market today. Is Avon in play? Stock halted after rallying over 20%. ADV 11k contracts - today over 75k! Avon Products Inc. said it never received a takeover bid from PTG Capital Partners Ltd., a firm listed in a securities filing as offering $18.75 a share for the struggling cosmetics company.

Odd Block: Calls trade in Michael Kors Holdings (KORS), calls trade in PowerShares DB Agriculture (DBA), and puts trade in Healthcare SPDR (XLV)

Mail Block: Listener questions and comments

• Question from Dmitry Shesterin ‏- @Options Some equities have more active options than others, why is $BAC so disproportionately more active? Some contracts beat $SPY, $VIX.
• Question from Fred Decker - Mark, I am nearing the end of reading Natenberg - I have even been going back to some basic concepts in the earlier chapters to refresh myself. While I like the book, I do not see much of a trading edge in Natenberg. The market models he uses assume frictionless trades and that volatility is constant. Is Natenberg a good book to get an edge in the market, or do you have another secret book to add to the trader's arsenal?

Around the Block: Earnings: Major retailers highlight this week's earnings outlook.