The Option Block

In this episode, Mark Longo along with co-hosts "Uncle" Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Henry "The Flow Master" Schwartz (Cboe), dive deep into recent market trends and unusual options activity. They discusses significant topics such as the recent Fed rate cut, its market implications, and notable trades in companies like Krispy Kreme, Intel, and Grab Holdings. They also explore the dynamics affecting market sentiment, including the role of flex options and recent regulatory changes. 00:00 Introduction 02:37 Market Analysis and Recent Activities 05:15 Trading Block: Current Market Trends incl Fed Announcement and Market Reactions & Stock Highlights and Trading Insights 29:44 Odd Block Introduction 30:41 Krispy Kreme Options Activity 34:21 Intel's Interesting Swings 37:41 Grab Holdings Call Buyers 44:53 Mail Block: Listener Questions 51:13 Around the Block: Market Watch

This episode kicks off the broadcast week by diving into the financial markets' current state, despite an impending Federal Reserve announcement. The hosts, Mark Longo, "Uncle" Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi, analyze market movements, with a focus on single-name stocks, VIX, and unusual options activity. The show includes a lively 80s trivia challenge (that quickly veers into 1930s-50s Hollywood trivia), a discussion on the Federal Reserve's potential impact, and a breakdown of trading strategies and market trends. They also touch on the absurdities of the market, such as Elon Musk's stock purchases and the speculative nature of certain "meme stocks." 00:00 Welcome 03:17 The 80s Trivia Challenge 06:16 The Trading Block: Market Analysis 09:59 Fed Speculations and Market Reactions 13:35 Tesla and AI Market Moves 21:12 Options Volume and Hot Trades 26:55 Palantir and SoFi Updates 27:16 Intel's Market Movements 27:45 Amazon and Apple Performance 28:39 Alphabet's Recent Trends 29:14 Open's Market Surge 30:16 Nvidia and Tesla Highlights 31:47 Cracker Barrel and Earnings Season 33:04 Odd Block: Unusual Options Activity 41:44 Rumble Inc. Analysis 47:05 Strategy Block: Fed Week Insights 50:21 Around the Block: Market Watch

On this episode of The Option Block, Mark is joined by Henry Schwartz (Cboe) and Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) as they cover a day of significant market moves, with the S&P 500 hitting new all-time highs despite mixed economic data. The panel discusses the latest news from the Robinhood Summit, including new trading features. They dive into unusual options activity, particularly the explosive trading in meme stock Open, and analyze other notable trades in names like Vimeo, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, and Teck Resources. The show concludes with a look ahead at what to watch in the markets and a nod to the start of fantasy football season. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [05:22] The Trading Block - Market Overview [09:00] The Robinhood Summit [16:45] Hot Option Activity [22:05] The Odd Block - Open (OPEN) [25:50] Odd Block - Vimeo (VMEO) & Recursion Pharma (RXRX) [28:40] Odd Block - Teck Resources (TECK) [31:05] The Mail Block [33:55] Around the Block [36:00] Closing Remarks

This episode features a discussion on current market conditions and unusual options activity. The hosts, Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management), and Andrew Giovinazzi (The Option Pit), analyze the mixed performance of the major indices and the behavior of the VIX. They dive into a number of active stocks, including Alphabet (GOOGL) and Nvidia (NVDA), and touch on the bond and precious metals markets. In the Odd Block segment, they dissect peculiar options trades in Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) and the comically-named ETHZilla Corp (ETHZ). The show also includes an educational segment on managing "wash sales" when trading covered calls. Time Stamps Beginning: Options Insider Radio Network Intro 00:03:00: 80s Trivia Challenge 00:10:00: The Trading Block - Market Analysis 00:30:00: The Odd Block - Unusual Options Activity (GLNG and ETHZ) 00:40:00: The Strategy Block - Wash Sale Discussion 00:46:00: Around the Block - Market Outlook

On this episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo is joined by Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe. They discuss the unexpected and muted reaction to Nvidia's earnings, the current state of the market, and the ideal trading conditions for investors. The panel also breaks down unusual options activity in a few unique single names and dives into a lively Mail Block discussion about the VIX and crypto derivatives. Time Stamps (04:54) - The Trading Block The panel discusses the surprising lack of volatility following Nvidia's earnings, despite high expectations and a large straddle pricing. The S&P 500 is up over 10% year-to-date, but the market feels subdued with low volatility and a steady, upward "trudge". Uncle Mike notes this is his "ideal market": boring and making new all-time highs. Technology and energy are the only sectors showing significant movement, with many others "taking the day off." The VIX is "hunching" at 14.25, with respectable options volume. SPY and SPX also have decent, though not record-breaking, paper on the tape. The hosts review the most active single names, including Snowflake's (SNOW) earnings pop, Retti (RETI), and Palantir (PLTR), which continues its pattern of aggressive early-session sell-offs followed by a late-session rebound. A quick recap of earnings moves in names like Best Buy, Burlington, Five Below, and Dell, with many straddles underpricing the actual moves. (22:38) - The Odd Block Onas Holdings (ONDS) Braze, Inc. (BRZE) Westrock PLC (SW) (35:54) - The Mail Block Audience Polls: Mark shares the results of recent listener polls, revealing that most listeners were not comfortable buying the S&P at its current level and that a large majority would prefer to buy rather than sell the VIX December 15 puts. VIX Debate: The show's central question: which level will the VIX hit first, 12 or 20? Both Uncle Mike and the Flowmaster believe the VIX will touch 12 first, driven by the ongoing bull market and low realized volatility, but they both note the high potential for a sudden, unexpected spike. Crypto Derivatives: A discussion on the future of crypto contracts, with a poll showing an overwhelming preference for cash-settled contracts over physically settled ones, due to simplicity and a desire to avoid dealing with the underlying assets. (44:54) - Around the Block What to Watch: The hosts share what they'll be watching until the next episode, including the S&P 500's attempt to break 6,500, the post-earnings action in Nvidia and Dell, and the overall macroeconomic picture as traders return from summer vacations.

Host: Mark Longo - The Options Insider Cohosts: Uncle Mike Tosaw - St. Charles Wealth Management and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi - The Option Pit On today's episode, during The Trading Block segment, we analyze a trading day marked by low volatility and a pause in major indexes after a "drunken rally" last Friday. We discuss the top options activity in VIX, SPY, and other major indexes, and break down the top 10 most active single-name stocks, including surprising movements in Tesla, Open, and Nvidia. We also look at earnings volatility for the week. The Odd Block segment features unusual options activity in Bentley Systems (BSY) and Transocean (RIG). Finally, in The Strategy Block, Uncle Mike explains a unique collar strategy. We end by sharing what we are watching for the week ahead, including key earnings reports from Nvidia, Dollar General, and more in The Around the Block segment. Time Stamps

The panel discusses the current state of the market, including a week of "red" for the major indices and a corresponding increase in volatility. The episode features a deep dive into unusual options activity, including a mysterious buyer in Unity Software and a vertical call spread in Select Quote. A conspiracy theory about AI engineers making a fortune in the options market is also debated by the hosts. The show wraps up with a look at upcoming earnings reports and a discussion on whether listeners are comfortable buying and holding the S&P 500 in the current market environment. Host: Mark Longo from The Options Insider Media Group Co-hosts: "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe Time Stamps 0:00 Welcome 3:02 The Trading Block: The panel discusses the overall market sentiment, a week of "red" for major indices, and a slight uptick in volatility. They analyze volume in VIX, SPY, SPX, and NASDAQ and discuss top-performing single-name stocks, including Nvidia, Tesla, Palantir, and Intel. 10:37 The Odd Block: The hosts investigate trades in Unity Software, Blend Labs, and Select Quote, analyzing specific call and put positions and speculating on the motives behind the trades. 19:54 The Mail Block: The hosts answer a listener's question about whether they are comfortable buying and holding the SPX in the current market. They also discuss a viral conspiracy theory that suggests top AI engineers are making a fortune through options trading, which is why they are being offered such high salaries. 27:46 Around the Block: The panel shares what they will be watching in the market until the next show, including upcoming earnings reports from companies like Intuit, Zoom, and Nvidia. They also give contact information for listeners who want to connect with them.

Mark Longo and Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management cover dense VIX trading activity, recent movements in tech stocks like Apple and Nvidia, and notable option trades in low-priced stocks (Hive, IPA, and IQ). Uncle Mike shares insights on order types and their importance in trading, along with updates on the Triple Income and Strategic Night portfolios. Key discussions also include the impact of geopolitical events and government interventions on the stock market. The episode concludes with an eye on upcoming key events and their potential market impact. 01:07 Meet the Hosts and Show Overview 01:56 Kicking Off the Week with Options Content 04:20 Uncle Mike's Trivia Challenge 06:57 Market Analysis and Trading Block 12:00 Uncle Mike's Strategic Night Portfolio Insights 18:15 VIX and Market Activity Update 27:51 UnitedHealth and Palantir Market Updates 28:49 Open's Market Movements and Leadership Change 31:03 Intel's Washington Pilgrimage and Market Impact 33:34 Nvidia and Big Box Retailers Earnings 34:42 Odd Block: Unusual Options Activity 45:42 Strategy Block: Understanding Order Types 49:59 Around the Block: Market Watch and Upcoming Events

In this episode of The Option Block, the host Mark Longo, along with guests Henry "The FlowMaster" Schwartz from Cboe and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management, delve into current market dynamics influenced by inflation data, Fed rate cuts, and significant movements in stocks like Apple, AMD, and Nvidia. They also explore unusual options activity in stocks like Equinox Gold and Amplitude, revealing intriguing trading strategies and market sentiments. The discussion includes the implications of upcoming geopolitical summits and the ongoing earnings season. The episode wraps up with listener questions on trading strategies and a nostalgic look back at 80s movies such as Rocky IV. 01:05 Meet the Hosts and Show Overview 03:17 Market Analysis and Trading Insights 05:24 Volatility and Market Trends 08:44 Individual Stocks and Market Movers 29:02 Earnings Season Highlights 30:14 Cisco's Market Reaction 30:34 Applied Materials Earnings Preview 31:03 Upcoming Retail Earnings: Target and Walmart 31:39 Seasonal Trading Insights 32:29 Odd Block: Unusual Options Activity 33:15 Equinox Gold Corp Analysis 40:59 Unity Software: Big Call Buyers 44:30 Mail Block: Listener Questions 44:58 Rocky IV and 80s Nostalgia 46:43 Earnings Poll and Market Sentiment 51:44 Around the Block: Market Watch 54:45 Show Wrap-Up and Upcoming Content

In this episode of Options Insider Radio Network, host Mark Longo along with co-hosts Uncle Mike Tosaw and the Rock Lobster Andrew Giovinazzi, discuss various aspects of the options market including unusual activity alerts, market analysis, and strategy overviews. They delve into specific stocks like SoundHound AI, MicroStrategy, and Palantir, and analyze call and put options on stocks like Verastem, Hudson Pacific Properties, and On Holding AG. The episode features trivia on 80s trivia and ends with Uncle Mike's Strategy Block segment discussing the advantages of a deep in the money covered call over a short put. The show also includes insights on upcoming earnings announcements and the strategies to trade them. 03:07 Welcome Back to the Show 03:27 Recap of Recent Events 04:39 80s Trivia Challenge 09:33 Trading Block: Market Analysis and Trends 25:44 ETH Treasury Milestone 26:10 Top 10 Stocks Analysis 29:37 Earnings Season Highlights 32:36 Unusual Options Activity 44:08 Strategy Block: Options Wisdom 47:42 Around the Block: Market Watch 50:21 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Shows

In this special episode of The Option Block, Henry "The FlowMaster" Schwartz discuss the recent market selloff and its impact on various sectors. He delves into factors such as rough earnings moves by Amazon and Coinbase, as well as the VIX index behavior, including a detailed analysis from a newly published white paper on VIX decomposition. Specific unusual trading activities in Bristol Myers and Momentum Holdings are also highlighted. The episode provides listeners with an in-depth look at the market dynamics, helping traders make more educated moves. The discussion includes advice on using SPX and mini S&P 500 options for better portfolio management. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:37 Market Overview and Recent Developments 03:21 In-Depth Analysis of VIX and Market Movements 06:33 Odd Block Trades and Insights 09:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Option Block, host Mark Longo and his all-star panel including Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management and Henry 'The Flowmaster' Schwartz from Cboe discuss various topics related to the options market. The show covers a wide range of issues such as reactions to Microsoft and Meta's impressive earnings, interesting call buys in lesser-known stocks like Coursera and Freshworks, and detailed breakdowns of recent unusual options activity. Listener polls on trading challenges and strategical preferences are addressed while Uncle Mike and Henry share their insights on the current market environment and upcoming economic events. 03:08 Market Analysis and Trading Strategies 06:27 Earnings Reports and Market Movers 12:34 Options Trading Insights and Trends 18:45 Earnings Season Highlights 29:32 Coinbase and Market Movements 30:19 Riot and Roku Analysis 30:55 Moderna and Cboe Insights 31:25 Earnings Season Highlights 32:15 Odd Block: Unusual Options Activity 32:55 Coursera and Freshworks Trades 39:46 Bristol Myers Squibb Breakdown 46:40 Listener Mail and Poll Results 53:33 Around the Block: Market Watch

In this episode, host Mark Longo along with his co-hosts Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi (The Option Pit) and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) dive into the latest trends and activity in the options market. The hosts analyze feedback from their audience on recent trades and trends, including an in-depth look at options activity for names like MicroStrategy, Alphabet, Amazon, and more. They also examine recent earnings reports and make future predictions. The Odd Block segment features a deep dive into unusual options activity, focusing on specific trades like the Aug six puts in Itau Unibanco Holding SA. In the Strategy Block, Uncle Mike provides essential tips on safeguarding financial information against potential breaches. The episode concludes with a preview of key events and market movements to watch for the rest of the week. 01:56 Kicking Off the Week with Options Talk 02:15 Hot Options Report and Pro Trading 03:47 80s Trivia Challenge 06:59 Market Analysis and Trading Block 08:35 Remembering Hulk Hogan 11:22 Big Tech Earnings and Market Trends 16:48 Volume and Trading Activity 27:51 Tesla's Earnings and Market Reaction 29:44 Upcoming Earnings Reports 31:00 Boeing and SoFi Earnings Preview 32:03 EA and Other Tech Earnings 34:57 Options Activity Analysis 44:38 Security Measures for Financial Accounts 48:51 Around the Block: Market Watch

In this episode of The Option Block, host Mark Longo and his co-hosts Henry Schwartz (Cboe Global Markets) and Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) discuss the latest trends in the options market, including a surprising dip in VIX to a 14 handle and a spike in Mara. The team also delves into unusual activity in the stocks like Bloom Energy (BE) and Opendoor Technologies (OPEN), which has experienced significant volatility. Subsequent discussions include how various economic indicators and sectors like technology and industrials are performing. The episode also features tributes to the recently deceased Hulk Hogan, marking the iconic wrestler's impact on pop culture. 01:18 Meet the Hosts and Co-Hosts 03:15 Show Kickoff and Recent Additions 05:11 Special Segment: Remembering Hulk Hogan 10:25 Market Analysis and Trading Block 28:19 The Saga of OPEN Stock 29:32 Alphabet and Nvidia Updates 29:57 Tesla's Earnings and EV Market 30:42 Earnings Highlights: American Airlines, Nokia, and More 33:50 Unusual Options Activity: The Odd Block 39:15 Bloom Energy's Resurgence 43:17 Airlines in Focus: American Airlines 47:28 Wendy's and Market Trends 49:11 Audience Polls and Market Insights 54:38 Concluding Remarks and Upcoming Shows

In this episode of the Option Block, Mark Longo, Mike Tosaw & Andrew Giovinazzi dive into the unique activity in the options market, highlighted by unexpected leaders such as Opendoor Technologies. The discussion includes the current state of VIX and the intriguing rise of CX. Also, they cover actionable insights on protecting portfolios with puts, adjusting to new all-time highs in the S&P 500, and a trivia challenge with surprising results. Listener engagement is key with multiple polls, and the show ends with a preview of what's on the horizon in the options market. 03:05 Earnings Week and Market Overview 03:44 80s Trivia Challenge 06:14 Market Analysis and Trading Block 07:51 Boxing Stories and Market Insights 15:45 Protective Puts and Silver Trends 18:27 VIX and SPY Activity 27:46 Meme Stocks Take Over 28:23 Open: The New Market Leader 30:57 Earnings Season Highlights 33:26 Unusual Options Activity 44:51 Strategy Insights with Uncle Mike Tosaw 48:13 Around the Block: Market Watch

In this episode, the hosts, including Mark Longo and Henry Schwartz from Cboe, delve into a wide range of topics related to the options market. They discuss the current state of major indices and the VIX, including active trades and market trends such as the unusual activity in QuantumScape (QS), Neo (NIO), and other single names. The episode highlights the significant role of zero-day-to-expiry (DTE) options in today's market, especially in SPX and SPY trading. They also cover earnings reports from major companies like PepsiCo, Alcoa, and United Airlines, as well as decode unusual options activity in names like Unity Software (U), Lucid Group (LCID), and JetBlue (JBLU). Additionally, there are several audience polls regarding market strategies and opinions on specific options activities. The episode wraps up with insights into what to watch in the markets over the coming days, particularly earnings and potential macroeconomic developments. 01:05 Meet the Hosts and Show Overview 03:16 Market Analysis and Trends 06:58 Trading Block: Latest Market Movements 11:15 VIX and SPY Activity Breakdown 19:16 Single Name Stocks and Options Activity 31:06 Earnings Season Kicks Off 31:32 PepsiCo and Alcoa Earnings Highlights 32:41 United Airlines and GE Earnings 33:53 Netflix and Chuck Schwab Earnings 35:05 Coke and Tesla Earnings 36:13 Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Analysis 37:36 Unity Software and Lucid Group Insights 49:05 Mail Block: Audience Questions and Polls 54:58 Around the Block: Market Watch

The latest kicks off with host Mark Longo, joined by co-hosts Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management, and Andrew 'The Rock Lobster' Giovinazzi from The Option Pit. The show delves into market activities, touching on various significant updates, including the potential surge in EQT and the unusual movement in Eastman Kodak's options. A strategy block session by Uncle Mike discusses optimal trading spreads for high and low volatility conditions, and the episode rounds off with key insights on upcoming market events, including earnings reports and trends in the cryptocurrency sphere. Notable interactive segments include a listener poll on Kodak and a heated discussion on cryptocurrency assets with potential upside. 01:27 Meet the Hosts 01:56 Weekly Operations and Pro Feed 03:42 Trivia Challenge 06:30 Market Analysis and Trading Block 26:24 Unusual Options Activity 27:08 Network Update and Podcast Teaser 27:51 EQT Corp: Hydrocarbon Exploration Insights 32:09 Eastman Kodak: A Blast from the Past 40:27 Campbell's Soup: Market Movements 43:18 Strategy Block: Understanding Volatility 46:59 Around the Block: Market Watch and Predictions 53:06 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events

This episode of The Option Block, is hosted by Mark Longo from the Options Insider Media Group, and features guest hosts, including Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management and Henry 'The Flowmaster' Schwartz from Cboe. The hosts dive into various trending topics in the options market, such as unusual activity alerts, market analysis, strategy overviews, listener questions, and more. The session includes insights on major trades in VIX, SPY, small caps, and the hot tech stocks like Netflix, Nvidia, and Palantir. Special attention is given to companies such as Unity Software Inc. (U), Redwire Corporation (RDW), and Olin Corp. (OLN), exploring their recent unusual options activities. Uncle Mike also makes a notable announcement on the S&P 500 hitting an all-time high during the episode. The show closes with game insights and communal debates over intriguing questions like the appropriateness of ketchup on hot dogs. 01:18 Meet the Hosts 03:15 Market Recap and Recent Events 07:21 Trading Block: Market Trends and Analysis 10:33 Volatility Insights and Trading Strategies 21:34 Single Stock Highlights and Analysis 29:13 Earnings Season Preview 29:59 Financials Report Overview 32:32 Unity's Market Movements 37:47 Red Wire Corp Analysis 43:06 Olin Corp's Chemical Struggles 47:46 Mail Block: Listener Questions 54:54 Around the Block: Market Watch

In this episode, Mark Longo, Andrew Giovinazzi (The Option Pit) and Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) delve into the latest happenings in the options market. The show covers a variety of segments including unusual options activity, such as the sizable trades in Clover Health Investments and Bit Digital. The discussion spans market trends, notably the recent market pullback likely influenced by tariff news and possible market reactions to political maneuvers. Uncle Mike shares a strategy block focused on the careful selection of covered calls. The episode also touches on listener polls and questions, including opinions on assets with the most upside potential in the second half of 2025. 03:08 Show Kickoff and Recent Updates 05:36 80s Trivia Challenge 07:43 Market Analysis and Trading Block 12:20 Political Commentary and Market Reactions 20:57 VIX and Single Stock Analysis 27:36 Tesla's Market Impact 28:29 June's Hot Numbers from OCC 30:58 Unusual Options Activity: Clover Health 35:59 Unusual Options Activity: Bit Digital 41:03 Unusual Options Activity: Core Scientific 44:15 Strategy Block: Covered Call Selection 48:55 Mail Block: Listener Questions and Polls 52:00 Around the Block: Market Watch 53:31 Conclusion and Upcoming Content