The Option Block

The Trading Block: SQ and QCOM dominating the options charts today. Looks like QCOM activity is actually a dividend play. Light on earnings this week. Goldman execs cash out decade-old options just days before they expire. The Odd Block: TSLA tracker; Weird house-money put roll in WDC; Tons of Dec 26 puts in DKS; Size near-term call love in NEM. The Mail Block: Options question of the week SPY always dominates the #options volume charts. But what do you think people are actually trading in SPY? Take a guess at the top OI position in SPY right now. No cheating (or checking with your broker) - use your grey matter and your "gut" to pick the right one. Jan 262 call Dec 2019 150 put Dec 280 call Jan 240 put Listener questions and comments Question from PBiggers‏: how will the market react if the tax bill fails to pass in the senate on Thursday? Bullish, modest correction or major correction? Comment from Robert Baker: in response to your questions regarding TSLA catastrophe puts Jan 19 $50; I believe that they are insurance policies for model 3 depositors to recover their $5000 deposit in the event that Tesla goes bankrupt. After all, it's the cheapest form of insurance because the $50 put will be worth $5000 if TSLA goes to zero. Keep up with your show - it's fun.

What better way to celebrate the options "Day of Days" than to look back on the inaugural episode of The Crypto Rundown? Enjoy!

Best Of The Option Block: Back To The Beginning The markets are closed for President's day so the All-Star Panel gets a day off. But that doesn't mean you don't get a show! Join us for a trip down memory lane to the very first "sneak preview" episode of The Option Block from September 2010. Enjoy!

A powerful tech rally sends META, AMD, Intel, Nvidia and other major names surging as Mark Longo, Mike Tosaw and Andrew Giovinazzi examine what is fueling the market's renewed enthusiasm for the AI trade. The hosts break down heavy options volume in SPY, QQQ, IWM and VIX, including notable activity in VIX puts. They also analyze unusual options trades in MGM Resorts and Novo Nordisk before exploring how Mike managed a protective collar in META during the stock's dramatic rebound. Plus, the panel discusses interest rates, bond-market sentiment, geopolitical risk and what traders should watch throughout the week.

A milestone episode calls for a little nostalgia, a little market chaos, and plenty of options talk. On the 1500th episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo is joined by "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from The Option Block and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe to look back at the remarkable run of the show while breaking down the latest action across the options markets. The crew discusses the market reaction following the latest Fed decision, strength in technology stocks, moves in VIX and volatility, and the options activity lighting up names including Nvidia, Tesla, AMD, Micron, Intel, Apple and more. Then it's time to get weird in the Odd Block with unusual options activity in Ouster (OUST), 3D Systems (DDD) and Ginkgo Bioworks (DNA), along with a massive VIX options trade that catches the panel's attention. Plus, the guys revisit memories from 1500 episodes of The Option Block, hear from longtime listeners who have been around since the iPod days, and discuss what they'll be watching next across equities, bonds, oil, volatility and the broader options markets. It's a special 1500th trip Around the Block.