This Week in Futures Options

This episode of 'This Week in Futures Options' on the Options Insider Radio Network covers extensive details on various active commodities in the futures options market. The discussion begins with a breakdown of Nat Gas, analyzing its significant drop towards the three-handle and the activity around three puts and four calls. WTI's consistent trading around the 65 level and the potential implications are explored. Copper's tariff-driven surge and related options activity, including various put spreads, are examined. The show also touches on the behavior of Nasdaq during earning season and the rise of zero-day options in the futures market. Hosted by Mark Longo, with insights from Russell Rhoads, the episode dives into market sentiment, trading strategies, and key economic indicators shaping the futures options landscape.   02:41 Show Kickoff and New Network Edition 03:58 Guest Introduction: Russell Rhoads 04:50 Discussion on Retail vs. Institutional Trading 06:19 Movers and Shakers Report 11:56 Volatility Analysis 15:56 Energy Market Insights 26:00 Crude Oil Market Analysis 26:53 WTI and Nat Gas Volatility 27:26 Key Levels in Crude Oil 29:32 Put Options Activity in Crude 32:18 Copper Market Insights 42:01 Equity Indices During Earnings Season 48:16 Zero-Day Options and Market Sentiment 49:17 Concluding Thoughts and Listener Interaction  

TWIFO 134: Breaking Equity Secrets HOST: MARK LONGO, OPTIONS INSIDER MEDIA GROUP CO-HOST: SEAN SMITH, MD - DERIVATIVES LICENSING, FTSE RUSSELL CO-HOST: NICK HOWARD, FOUNDER - BANTIX TECHNOLOGIES In this episode, Mark and Sean explore the latest trading developments in equity options as well as in crude oil, gold, soybeans, crypto and more. Our listeners also take their turns trying to get Sean to spill his equity product secrets.

Geopolitical drama is back on the menu, and the futures options markets are feeling the heat. In this episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO), Mark Longo breaks down a wild week where nearly every complex saw a volatility explosion. From potential trade wars to "Greenland drama," we explore how the tape is reacting at CME Group. On today's episode, we dive into: The Movers & Shakers Report The Volatility Spike: A look at the CVOL (CME Volatility Index) across the board. Why Treasury vol is roaring back to life (up 10 points) and Energy is pining the needle at 69.35. Natural Gas Mania: Nat Gas jumps a staggering 57% as the polar vortex hits. Metals & FX: Precious metals explode in both price and vol, while FX vol gains a full point on trade war chatter. The Dark Side: Bitcoin slides over 8%, leading the losers alongside Palladium and Copper. Equities: The Big Tech Rotation Nasdaq vs. Small Caps: We analyze the pronounced rotation out of large-cap tech and into small caps. Zero-DTE Action: A deep dive into the massive paper hitting the Nasdaq-100 (NQ), where 0-DTE contracts dominated 43% of the weekly flow. The March Skew: Why traders are paying a premium for March 24,000 puts in the Nasdaq and what it means for the next 60 days of market risk. Call Discounts: Is the 13.5% discount on March calls a buying opportunity or a warning sign? Market Intelligence Geopolitical Impact: How the "Greenland deal" headlines and Middle East tensions are impacting WTI and precious metals.

Is Silver the new meme stock? Are Small Caps finally ready to lead the pack? Join Mark Longo of The Options Insider and special guest Rich Excell from the University of Illinois (and the Stay Vigilant Substack) as they break down a historic week in the futures options markets. From parabolic moves in metals to a massive rotation within the equity space, the guys analyze the data you can't find anywhere else. Inside This Episode: The Great Equity Rotation: Why tech is taking a backseat as the Russell 2000 (RUT) explodes. Is this the "mean reversion" trade of the decade? Silver's Parabolic Run: Silver is up over 20% in a week. We look at the "price insensitive" buying and the wild 120/125 call spreads hitting the tape. Treasury Volatility Collapse: With Treasury price vol hitting anemic lows, Rich explains why he's looking at asymmetric put butterflies to hedge against a yield backup. Movers & Shakers: A 70/30 split to the green side at CME Group this week. We analyze the carnage in Nat Gas versus the "heater" in Platinum and Soybean Oil. Crypto Divergence: Why the tech use cases for Ethereum and Solana are starting to outpace Bitcoin in the eyes of the market. Technical Deep Dives: Skew Analysis: Why silver calls remain bid despite the massive price surge. RUT Options: Analyzing the heavy flow in the March 2500/2400 put spreads. CVOL Insights: Tracking the surge in Metals vol versus the "nothing burger" in Treasury yield vol. Connect with the Show: Follow Rich Excell: @ExcellRichard or his Substack, Stay Vigilant . Track the Data: CME Group QuikStrike/TWIFO Go Pro: TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro

The first "January Lion" of 2026 has arrived. Join Mark Longo and Carley Garner of DeCarley Trading as they kick off the new year with a high-octane look at the futures options landscape. From the aftermath of a historic 2025 to the geopolitical shocks of the first week of January, this episode breaks down why the "old rules" of the commodity markets are being rewritten. In This Episode: The 2025 Retrospective: A look back at a "once-in-50-year" event in the metals complex. Carley provides a candid "humbling" on the massive surge in gold and silver, and why 2025 was the year of the devoted trend follower. The Silver Beast: Silver dominated last year with a 140%+ gain. Carley and Mark discuss the "Reverse 2020" effect, the impact of triple-leveraged ETFs, and why trading Silver options right now requires nerves of steel and a massive margin account. Movers & Shakers: * The Light Side: A continuation of the metals rally (Silver, Platinum, Palladium) and a surprising 5% YTD surge in the Russell 2000 ($RUT). The Dark Side: Energy struggles as WTI and Brent lead the losers, while Natural Gas faces a "trap door" at the $3.60 pivot. Equity Index Analysis: Why the "Mag 7" dominance is yielding to a Small-Cap catch-up play in the Russell. Plus, a strategy for "tail-risk nibbling" using deep out-of-the-money March and June puts. Energy & Geopolitics: The team breaks down the "Maduro effect" and why Venezuela's supply won't be a quick fix for the crude markets. Carley explores the possibility of a capitulation move in oil toward the low $40s. Viewer Q&A: The blurring lines between "trading" and "betting" as CME and FanDuel move closer together. Market Volatility Snapshot (CVOL) Treasury Yield Vol: Pinning the needle at 78.9 (High for the week). Energy CVOL: Popping to 60.6 as geopolitical tensions rise. Metals CVOL: Easing slightly to 31.0 despite massive moves in the underlying.

Is the energy market ready for a supply shock? On the final TWIFO of 2025, Mark Longo breaks down the surge in Energy CVOL as the U.S. intensifies pressure on Venezuela. With a crude oil embargo ratcheting up, we examine how WTI Crude is reacting and what the "Smart Money" is pricing into the February options skew. We also shift our focus to the Ag complex, specifically Chicago Wheat (SRW), where we're seeing a surprising "Precious Metals-style" skew. From zero-cost collars in March Wheat to the massive 15% explosion in Palladium, we break down the movers and shakers at CME Group to close out the year. Movers and Shakers: The CME Group Heatmap The Dark Side: Natural Gas leads the decline (off 7.04%), followed by BTC Crypto (off 6%) and S&P Tech (off 4.5%). The Light Side: Palladium is the standout winner (up 15.1%), with Platinum (up 5.6%) and Silver (up 2.2%) following the shiny metal trend. Product Breakdown: Energy & Ag WTI Crude Oil: Analyzing the shift to a 5% put bid in February. Is the market fading the Venezuela rally? Chicago Wheat: Breaking down the 550 call vs. 500 put volume. Why are traders loading up on March upside? CVOL Update: Energy Volatility roars to the high of the week (63.68) while Treasury Yield Volatility hits multi-month lows.

This episode of 'This Week in Futures Options' delivers a detailed analysis of the futures options market, focusing on the latest trends and significant movements in silver futures options and natural gas futures options trading activity. Hosted by Mark Longo, the program provides essential insights into the top futures trades, volatility shifts, and hot products for the week. The show includes statistics on both the light and dark sides of the market, highlighting noteworthy trades like a February 80-85 call spread in silver and active movements in January natural gas options.

In this action-packed episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO), host Mark Longo and special guest Dan Gramza (Gramza Capital Management) break down the massive volatility and unexpected price movements across commodity and futures options markets. We conduct a detailed futures options analysis on the shocking, explosive rip in Silver, which is now the best-performing asset tracked by the show this year. We also dive into the highly active Natural Gas (NG) market, discussing key support levels and the shifting landscape of global LNG demand. Plus, we address the viral audience theory: Is Taylor Swift cornering the silver market? 📈 Key Topics & Trading Takeaways Explosive Silver Rally: Detailed breakdown of the 14.05% spike in silver and the Feb 80/85 Silver Call Vertical trade (for only 12 cents!), as volatility is aggressively priced out. Natural Gas Volatility: Analysis of the current Nat Gas (NG) five-handle price level, the demand outlook for a colder winter, and the dominant Jan 6 Calls and Jan 4 Puts trading activity. Gold (GC) Market Structure: Comparing gold's performance to silver, the role of central bank demand (dollarization/de-dollarization), and the 4500-strike call vertical flow. Futures Options Volatility: A look at the week's C-Vol report showing volatility annihilation across the board for FX, Treasuries, Metals, and Energy. The Great Debate: Guest Dan Gramza shares his expert opinion on whether cranberry sauce with nuts qualifies as a side dish or a topping.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CME HOT SEAT: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management In this episode, Mark and Mike discuss the significant trading volume and price swings in the S&P 500, spurred by Nvidia earnings and broader market dynamics. The show delves into specific trades and strikes lighting up the tape, highlighting unusual activity in short-term options. Uncle Mike shares insights into the bond market, focusing on the 10-year note and the implications of upcoming Fed decisions. Additionally, the episode examines heightened activity in the gold market, providing an in-depth look at trading strategies and market sentiment.  

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CME HOT SEAT: Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business In this episode of This Week in Futures Options, the hosts explore significant movements and trades across various markets. They focus on the explosive action in gold and silver, with deep in-the-money gold calls and far out-of-the-money silver calls taking center stage. They also delve into the dynamics of the energy sector, examining the contrasting fortunes of crude oil and natural gas. Additionally, the episode discusses the interesting divergences in equity volatilities, particularly in the Russell 2000 amidst potential Santa Claus rally trends. The hosts round off with insights from the latest movers and shakers, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the futures options landscape.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CME HOT SEAT: Erik Norland, CME Group In this episode, Mark and Erik discuss recent developments in the futures and options market. They cover a wide array of topics, including the impacts of macroeconomic policies on gold and precious metals, the rise of cryptocurrencies like Solana and XRP, and recent movements in the equities and small-cap index. They also delve into new research regarding the Mexican equity market as a diversification opportunity and have an interesting dialogue about the validity of the Phillips Curve in modern economics. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of volatility, trading activity, and market trends in various asset classes. Moreover, the show features insightful discussions on key trades, skews, and the underlying dynamics driving the current market scenario.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group GUEST: Carley Garner, DeCarley Trading In this episode of This Week in Futures Options, Mark Longo and guest Carly Garner discuss various developments in the futures options market, including the impact of Chinese trade deals on commodities like gold, soybeans, and natural gas. They examine the latest trading activities, volatility trends, and market movements in precious metals, agricultural products, and energy sectors. Highlights include gold's speculative surge, significant options volume in soybeans driven by trade talks, and strategic trading insights. Carly also provides commentary on the current market landscape, comparing historical patterns and offering actionable trading strategies.  

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group CME HOT SEAT: Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group In this episode, the discussion covers CME's recent launch of Solana and XRP options, the role of institutional and retail participants, and the evolution of use cases for Bitcoin and Ether futures and options. The episode also highlights plans for 24/7 trading in CME's crypto suite starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. Additionally, the episode features a dive into the Movers and Shakers report, showcasing significant moves in the energy and metals sectors.  

Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group   The latest episode dives deep into the explosive activity in the precious metals market, with a special focus on gold and silver. Mark covers the unprecedented volumes and price surges in gold, which hit new highs of $4,308, and silver, which soared to $52.78. The episode also discusses the increased volatility and demand for both metals, with detailed analysis of key trades and market behaviors. Additional coverage includes other precious metals like platinum and palladium, which also saw significant movements. The episode highlights how these surges are reflected across different contracts and their implications for traders.

Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Radio Network CME Hot Seat Guest: Scott Bauer, Prosper Trading Academy In this episode hosted by Mark Longo, Scott Bauer from Prosper Trading Academy joins to discuss the latest action in the futures options market. The show covers a diverse range of topics including the unprecedented activity in gold, which recently hit a new all-time high of $4,000 and nearly 50% up year-to-date, and the ongoing bullish sentiment in other precious metals like silver and palladium. The discussion also takes a deep dive into the energy sector, focusing on the tumultuous moves in Nat Gas and crude oil. 

In this episode, host Mark Longo dives deep into the latest trading developments within the futures options market, covering hot topics such as nat gas, crude oil, and gold. The episode discusses record volumes in nat gas and its recent price movements, analyzes crude oil's downturn, and delves into gold's new all-time highs. The show also integrates listener inquiries and voting results, comparing current market sentiment indicators like VIX and gold.    00:00 Introduction & Welcome 03:29 Movers and Shakers Report 11:32 Exploring Energy Markets 21:40 WTI Futures and Options Analysis 22:27 Shifts in WTI Skew and Trading Activity 26:54 Gold's Record-Breaking Performance 28:33 Gold Options and Market Sentiment 37:03 Comparing Gold and VIX as Market Indicators 39:48 Conclusion 

This episode features a detailed discussion with Dan Gramza of Gramza Capital Management covering recent market movements in futures options, focusing on gold's record highs, the fluctuations in natural gas prices, and the current state of crude oil. Mark and Dan also touch upon the equity markets' response to recent Federal Reserve actions and upcoming economic indicators. Listeners learn about key support and resistance levels, strategic buy and sell signals, and the market sentiment driving these assets.  00:43 Welcome to This Week in Futures Options 04:02 Movers and Shakers Report 10:17 Exploring Metals Market Activity 30:07 Exploring the Energy Market 42:30 Equities and Stock Indices 57:13 Final Thoughts and Market Wrap-Up  

This episode delves into the latest trends and key actions in various futures markets, focusing particularly on the impact of recent Fed decisions. Mark Longo alongside guest Carley Garner (DeCarley Trading), cover volatility in gold, silver, WTI crude oil, and livestock markets. They analyze significant moves, trade volumes, and option activities in these sectors, and provide insights into potential trading strategies. They also touch on the unusual behavior of gold and the introduction of Friday options in cattle, noting the implications for market dynamics.   01:04 Welcome to This Week in Futures Options 05:42 Movers and Shakers Report 14:00 Market Analysis: Metals and Commodities 28:23 Active Trading in Gold Options 29:25 The High Stakes of Gold's $4,000 Options 31:12 Silver's Surprising Performance 36:17 Exploring Energy Markets: Crude Oil Insights 44:18 Diving into Agricultural Options 51:39 Concluding Thoughts  

This episode breaks down the week's trading activity in the futures and options markets with Mark Longo and Carley Garner (DeCarley Trading). The show covers the week's biggest movers and shakers, analyzes the latest trends in energy and metals volatility, and dives into specific options flows in Nat Gas, Crude Oil (WTI), and Platinum. Mark also chats with guest Carley about her outlook on energy markets. Timestamps: [00:00] Intro [06:30] Movers and Shakers Report [09:30] CVOL Movers and Shakers [14:15] Energy: Nat Gas [19:00] WTI Crude Oil Options [22:00] Metals: Platinum [25:30] Final Thoughts

Mark Longo and Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management break down top trades, hot products, volatility explosions, and more in precious metals, interest rates, and equities on this episode. Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction  5:52 - Movers and Shakers Report (top performers and decliners). 11:58 - Breakdown of the CME Group CVOL report (volatility). 14:52 - Discussion on the precious metals market, with a focus on silver and gold. 24:45 - Analysis of the interest rate market and the 10-year note. 33:57 - Exploration of the equities market, focusing on the S&P 500. 38:53 - Closing remarks and where to find more information.