The Options Insider Radio Network

Happy New Year! We are kicking off 2026 on The Futures Rundown by giving the "Big Adios" to the wild, untamed year that was 2025. Mark Longo and Dan Gramza of Gramza Capital Management reunite to break down the final ledger of a year that was anything but boring in the pits. From the absolute explosion in Silver (+140%) and Platinum to the brutal sell-off in Orange Juice and Rough Rice, we count down the Top 10 movers of the year. We also dive into the recent geopolitical shifts in Venezuela and why the crude oil market isn't reacting the way many expected. In this episode, we explore: The Precious Metals Clean Sweep: Why Silver was the late-bloomer that ended the year up a staggering 140%. The 2025 Leaderboard: Deep dives into the winners like Lithium, Copper, and the surprising strength of the Brazilian Real. The "Big Adios" Losers: Breaking down the 50% drop in OJ and the continued struggles for the Widowmaker (Natural Gas). Energy Outlook 2026: Dan Gramza explains the infrastructure and political hurdles facing Venezuela's oil production and what it means for WTI and Brent prices. The Crypto Futures Flip: Analyzing the volatile year for Bitcoin and Ether futures and why spot vs. futures performance varied so widely. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Dan Gramza's Daily Videos: DanGramza.com Join the Pro Community: TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro Episode Sponsor: Tastytrade.com/podcasts

Kick off the new year with a fresh set of options trading resolutions on this episode of Options Boot Camp. Hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive into what traders should be focusing on in 2026 — from expanding your options strategy toolbox to managing risk, sizing trades properly, and knowing when not to trade at all. With many traders coming off years of strong equity performance, the hosts explore whether it's time to rethink long-only strategies, reduce concentration risk, or introduce new approaches like stock substitution, LEAPS, downside hedging with puts, and portfolio diversification through options strategies. The conversation also covers why relying on a single options strategy can be dangerous, how to diversify your Greeks, and what newer traders often overlook when markets change. This episode also looks ahead to potential options market trends in 2026, including zero-DTE options, 24-hour trading, prediction markets, crypto volatility, and global market opportunities. Along the way, Mark and Dan reference past Options Boot Camp episodes to help listeners build a deeper understanding of puts, volatility, and long-term strategy planning.

It's the first full trading week of 2026, and the options tape is heating up! In this episode of the Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down the top 10 most active names lighting up the chains. While Nvidia continues its dominance as the volume king, a massive 8% jump in Intel (INTC) stole the show following its CES 2026 manufacturing breakthroughs. We dive into the order flow for the "Double-Digit Million" club and the names struggling to hold their ground, including a deep dive into Tesla (TSLA) and AMD sell-offs. On this episode, we break down: The Volume Leader: Nvidia (NVDA) hits nearly 2M contracts—are the 190 calls a trap or a target? The CES Catalyst: Intel (INTC) rallies 6.5% on "18A" tech news with heavy call action at the 46 strike. Big Tech Fade: Why Apple (AAPL) and AMD are seeing opening paper hit the bid. The Long Game: Someone is betting big on Alphabet (GOOGL) with massive June 430 calls. Crypto Proxy: MicroStrategy (MSTR) stays hot as it flirts with the 170 level. Top 10 Tickers Covered Today: Nvidia (NVDA) Tesla (TSLA) Intel (INTC) Amazon (AMZN) Apple (AAPL) MicroStrategy (MSTR) Palantir (PLTR) Alphabet (GOOGL) AMD Microsoft (MSFT) Check out the data for yourself: Visit The HotOptionsReport.com for more options data.

The trading day doesn't start when the opening bell rings. In this inaugural episode of 2026, Mark Longo is joined by a powerhouse panel to dissect a wild 2025 and forecast the trends shaping the European derivatives landscape in the year ahead. Inside This Episode: 2025 Retrospective: Why European financials and defense sectors outperformed the US mega-cap tech narrative. The Defense Boom: A look at the unprecedented returns in European defense indices (some up nearly 100%) and whether the momentum can survive potential geopolitical shifts. Banking on Europe: Why the STOXX Europe 600 Banks index returned a staggering 76% in 2025 and how the diversification of European mega-caps offers a unique play compared to US financials. Volatility Outlook: Russell Rhoads breaks down the VIX vs. VSTOXX and explains why the US remains the primary source of global "anticipatory" volatility. New Product Alert: Sophie Granchi (Eurex) discusses the shift toward Industry Futures and the demand for thematic trading in a de-globalizing world. The Red Phone: Listener Q&A The panel answers your burning questions on: Relative Value Trades: How to play the narrow calendar spreads in VSTOXX vs. the wider spreads in VIX. Institutional Rotation: Is the heavy volume in European Bank futures a "higher for longer" play or a flight from US markets? The Divergence Myth: Is the gap between the S&P 500 and STOXX cyclical or a permanent shift in global equity performance? Featured Guests: Mark Longo: Founder & CEO, The Options Insider Media Group Russell Rhoads: Kelly School of Business, Indiana University (a.k.a. Dr. VSTOXX) Sophie Granchi Head of Equity & Index Sales (EMEA), Eurex Arun Singhal: Global Head of Index Product Management, STOXX

Kick off the first full week of 2026 with a deep dive into a wild day on the options tape. In this episode of the Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down the top 10 most active products, headlined by a massive breakout in Micron (MU) and a significant "dark side" shift in Tesla (TSLA). While the broader market saw mixed action, the semiconductor space stole the show. We analyze why Micron popped 10% to close near $344 and what the heavy activity in the 350 calls suggests for the rest of the week. Meanwhile, Tesla bulls took a breather as volume flooded into the 430 puts following a 4% sell-off. In this episode, we cover: The Semiconductor Slugfest: Nvidia vs. Tesla for the #1 spot. Micron's Moonshot: Breaking down the 619,000 contracts and the $350 call interest. Tesla Sentiment Shift: From $500 calls to $430 puts—is the "dark side" taking over? The Tech Round-up: Unusual activity in Palantir (PLTR), AMD, Apple (AAPL), and Amazon (AMZN). SoFi's Slump: Analyzing the 8% drop and the volume at the $27 strike. Check out more from The Options Insider: Get Pro Insights: theoptionsinsider.com/pro Daily Data & Tools: TheH otOptionsReport.com

Welcome to the first full trading week of 2026! While the major averages surged to kick off the new year, the options tape is telling a much more nuanced story. Mark Longo breaks down the top 10 most active names, highlighting a strange divergence where the broader market rallied while tech titans like Apple and Nvidia faced early-year selling pressure. The Top 10 Countdown: #10: AMD (AMD) – Bucking the green trend, AMD sold off over 1% to close at $221.08. Traders focused on the Jan 230 calls expiring this Friday. #9: SoFi (SOFI) – Roaring back with a 6.6% pop, SoFi reclaimed nearly all its recent dilution losses. The Jan 30 calls were the hot strike of the day. #8: Palantir (PLTR) – Rallying over 3.6%, Palantir bulls are looking toward the moon with heavy volume on the Jan 190 calls. #7: MicroStrategy (MSTR) – "The Monster" saw wild opening flow, specifically a nearly 25,000-contract block of March 160 calls. #6: Amazon (AMZN) – The Amazonians joined the rally, gaining nearly 3%. Buyers stepped into the Jan 235 calls for Friday expiration. #5: Apple (AAPL) – A rare red day for the fruit company amidst a market rally. Over 44,000 of the Jan 270 calls traded, likely as overwrites. #4: Nu Holdings (NU) – The Brazilian banking giant popped over 5% on 15x its average daily volume. #3: JPMorgan (JPM) – Financials are leading the charge, but JPM's 1.28 million contract volume was heavily skewed by Ex-Dividend (X-Div) activity in the January pars. #2: Tesla (TSLA) – Back in the silver medal spot, Tesla jumped 3.1% to $451.67. The Jan 460 calls saw aggressive action. #1: Nvidia (NVDA) – Taking the crown once again, but finishing slightly in the red. Massive interest remains at the Jan 195 calls for the end of the week. In This Episode: Why Apple and Nvidia are struggling while the Dow and S&P climb. Understanding the impact of Ex-Dividend flow on JPMorgan's massive volume. Breaking down opening vs. closing flow in MicroStrategy and Nu Holdings. Get the Full Data: Visit TheHotOptionsReport.com to see the daily options data that didn't make it into the show. Join the Pro Community: Go to theoptionsinsider.com/pro for access to the upcoming Vol Death Match 2.0 and exclusive Q&A sessions.

Bitcoin is back north of $90k and the crypto markets are firing on all cylinders to kick off 2026! Mark Longo returns for the first Bitcoin Breakdown of the year to analyze the massive "love fest" in digital assets and what the data tells us about the months ahead. In This Episode: The Bitcoin Breakdown: Bitcoin surges nearly $7,000 in a single week. We compare the current $94k levels to the start of 2025 and discuss whether BTC is truly acting as "digital gold". Volatility & Skew Analysis: Using Amberdata metrics, we look at the spike in weekly and monthly vol, and the shifting skew that suggests the "yield-seekers" are changing the derivatives landscape. The IBIT Story: BlackRock's IBIT continues its dominance. We break down the massive open interest in the Jan 43 puts and what it means for institutional sentiment. Altcoin Universe: A resurgence across the board! From ETH regaining the $3,200 level to double-digit pops in Solana and XRP, we rank the Top 10 by market cap. Yield Generation in Circle: Analyzing a massive stock repair/ratio spread in Circle options and what it reveals about current risk-reward profiles. Crypto Question of the Week: Will the major crypto assets end 2026 higher or lower? We reveal the early poll results. Resources Mentioned: Amberdata: Granular on-chain and market data for institutions. amberdata.io Options Insider Pro: Get access to exclusive Q&A sessions and Vol Deathmatch 2.0. theoptionsinsider.com/pro

The 2026 trading year is officially underway! Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi gather for the first full trading week of the year to break down a massive 2025 and look ahead to the new market landscape. In This Episode: The 2025 Trivia Champion Revealed: After a grueling year of 1980s Trivial Pursuit, we finally crown the winner of the 2025 Trivia Challenge. Who took home the title between Uncle Mike, The Rock Lobster, and previous guest Dan Passarelli? The Trading Block: A robust start to 2026! The team analyzes the S&P 500's push toward all-time highs, the sudden surge in Financials (XLF) and Energy (XLE), and why Big Tech (Apple and Nvidia) is showing some early-year weakness. Record-Breaking Volume: We dive into the final 2025 numbers from the OCC. With over 15.26 billion contracts traded last year, we discuss what this explosive growth means for retail traders. The Odd Block: Unusual activity returns with a deep dive into Peloton (PTON) and a massive January 2027 call trade, plus some aggressive short-term upside speculation in Enovix Corp (ENVX). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike explains the "Time Non-Linear Time Decay Differential" and why calendar or diagonal spreads might be your best bet if you expect volatility to rise from these lows. Around the Block: Predictions for the year ahead, the impact of geopolitical headlines on the energy sector, and a look at the upcoming VIX expiration. Get More Options Insider: Pro Analysis: theoptionsinsider.com/pro The Network: Search "Options Insider Radio Network" on your favorite podcast app. TastyTrade: Visit tastytrade.com/podcasts to see why they were named the Best Broker for Options in 2024.

Happy New Year, Vol Maniacs! Mark Longo kicks off 2026 by welcoming Jim Carroll (The Vixologist) to the first Volatility Views of the year. Jim helps us close the books on 2025. From the "Tariff Tantrum" to the birth of the proprietary "VIX Mix," we break down the trends, trades, and traps that defined the volatility landscape over the last 12 months. Volatility Review: The 2025 Autopsy The Tariff Tantrum: Why April 2025 became the apex of volatility for the year, sending VIX cash to an intraday high near 60. VIX Cash Highlights: A look back at the 17.93 start in January and the contentiousness of the year-end 14.95 close. The "VIX Mix" Debrief: Jim Carroll breaks down the first full year of his 17-component composite indicator. Realized Volatility: Why 2025 saw a wider range of realized vol than 2024, yet remained "well-behaved" compared to 2022 or 2020. Credit Market Canaries: Why the Move Index and corporate bond behavior were the secret drummers for equity volatility this year. Trades & Trends: Where Money Lived (And Died) The 15 Put Trap: Why the VIX 15 put strike was the ultimate "scratch-off ticket" that never paid off for retail traders. The 47.5 Call Mystery: Analyzing the massive, recurring upside rolls that dominated the tape all year. Capital Efficiency: A look at the bizarre VIX 200 put spreads and the shifting of institutional volume from futures into options. The Vol Fade Game: Performance reviews of SVXY, VXX, and the opportunity to scoop SVX during the April dip. The Crystal Ball: Predictions for 2026 The team kicks off the new year's prediction game. Will 2026 be the year of the 23.00 VIX? Resources & Links Follow Jim Carroll: Twitter/X: @vixologist Brokerage Spotlight:tastytrade.com/podcasts Connect with the Network Twitter/X: @Options Web: TheOptionsInsider.com Questions: questions@theoptionsinsider.com

Welcome to the first Hot Options Report of 2026! Mark Longo kicks off the new trading year by breaking down a high-volume session where "opening paper" dominated the tape. Despite a respectable 678,000 contracts needed to break the Top 10, the action was concentrated in zero-day expirations (0DTE) and a major shakeup in the EV sector. Market Highlights & The Top 10 Countdown The year started with a bang for semiconductors like Intel and Micron, while Tesla faced a rocky road following disappointing Q4 delivery numbers. We dive deep into the most active options contracts for the following movers: Tesla (TSLA): The undisputed #1. Following soft Q4 delivery data, the stock slipped 2.6%. The tape was lit up by 179,000 of the $440 Puts expiring today. Nvidia (NVDA): Claiming the #2 spot with 2.85M contracts. Investors focused heavily on the $190 Calls, with 347,000 contracts trading as the stock gained 1.25%. Palantir (PLTR): A rough start for PLTR, dropping 5.5%. Unlike the rest of the 0DTE crowd, the hot action here was in the $180 Calls expiring next week. The Semi Surge (INTC, MU, AMD): Intel rallied 6.75%, Micron gained a massive 10.5%, and AMD climbed 4.3%. We break down the heavy call activity in all three. Big Tech (AAPL, AMZN, NFLX): A mixed bag for the giants. Netflix saw a 3% sell-off, while Amazon and Apple both struggled to stay green. Data: TheHotOptionsReport.com Twitter/X: @Options

It's time for our 2025 Year-End Spectacular! Join us as we look back on everything that lit up our tape in 2025 including: Wild options trades, spicy VIX prints, Metals madness, tariff tantrums and crypto craziness plus we take your pulse on hot topics like Prediction Markets, Strategic Crypto Reserves and...cranberry sauce?

It is said that "history repeats itself", but does that go for the options markets, as well? Join show host Mark Benzaquen as he is joined by Jessica Inskip of StockBrokers.com to recap 2025, discuss 2026 predictions, and the best ways to get started on your New Year's resolutions (assuming they entail learning about options!)

What a year it was for the options market! From the "unprecedented" volatility of April to a record-breaking 15 billion contracts traded, 2025 was anything but boring. In this special year-end extravaganza, your drill instructors Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) look back at the Top 10 Episodes of 2025 to see what resonated most with traders during this historic year. Mark and Dan dive into the data to reveal the most downloaded topics of the year, spanning everything from high-intensity hedging strategies to the surprising winner of the #1 spot. Whether you are a veteran of "Liberation Day" or a newcomer looking to get into peak options trading shape, this countdown is the ultimate refresher on the strategies that defined the market this year. In this episode, the "Dynamic Duo" discusses: The Top 10 Countdown: Which episodes took the crown? (Hint: Leaps and Covered Calls were heavy hitters). Volatility Redefined: Revisiting the historic spikes of April and the role of inverse volatility products like SVXY. Retail Power: How the 15-billion-contract milestone changed the landscape for retail traders. Strategy Deep Dives: Reflections on Gamma Scalping, Iron Condors, and the enduring popularity of "The Poor Man's Covered Call." The VIX Average: Dan breaks down the long-term average of the VIX and how anomalies skew the data. Holiday Fun: The definitive (and divisive) ranking of the best Christmas movies. Support for this Episode Special thanks to Tastytrade—named the best broker for options in 2024 by Investopedia. See why at tastytrade.com/podcasts .

Welcome to the final full trading day of 2025! On this episode of the Hot Options Report, host Mark Longo breaks down a surprisingly active market for a holiday week. From massive dividend capture plays in the REIT sector to "hope springs eternal" bullish bets in the Magnificent Seven, we cover everything lighting up the tape as we head into the new year. In this episode, we analyze the top 10 most active names on the options tape, including: The Big Two: Tesla (TSLA) and Nvidia (NVDA) dominate the volume again. We look at the heavy paper in the NVDA 190 calls and why Tesla traders are sweating the $460 strike. Dividend Plays: Why did Agency Investment Corp (AGNC) and Annaly Capital Management (NLY) suddenly crash the top 10? We break down the ex-dividend activity driving massive volume in the Jan 10 and Jan 22 calls. The AI Ecosystem: Analyzing the "coin flip" sentiment in Palantir (PLTR) puts and the "opening paper" selling 40 calls in Intel (INTC). The "Monster" Moves: MicroStrategy (MSTR) continues its wild ride—is the $160 call a trap or a breakout play for the week? Big Tech Highlights: A look at the "Number of the Beast" close for Meta and the last-minute lottery tickets in Apple (AAPL) and Netflix (NFLX). Check the Data for Free: TheHotOptionsReport.com.

As we enter the final trading week of 2025, Mark Longo breaks down a high-stakes, holiday-shortened Monday session. While the broader markets saw thin liquidity and red screens, several heavy hitters lit up the tape with unusual activity—including a rare top-tier appearance from British American Tobacco. Inside This Episode: The Holiday Volume Slump: Why it only took 265,000 contracts to break into the Top 10 today—the lightest volume since the "dog days of summer." Tesla's Bearish Shift? Tesla takes the #1 spot, but for once, it's the $465 puts dominating the tape as the stock slides over 3%. The "Monster" Monthly Spread: A massive $350/$300 put spread in MicroStrategy (MSTR) captured the attention of volatility hunters. The BTI Dividend Play: Why a sleepy tobacco name saw nearly 200x its average daily volume and what the Jan $50 in-the-money calls tell us about the ex-dividend date. NVDA & Near-Term Upside: Analyzing the heavy retail interest in the Nvidia $190 calls expiring this week. Today's Hot Options Top 10 Countdown: RankSymbolLast PriceVolumeHot Option Contract#1TSLA$459.641.77M**$465 Puts** (Jan 2 Exp)#2NVDA$188.221.63M**$190 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp)#3BTI$52.00609K**$50 Calls** (Jan Monthly)#4PLTR$184.18478K**$195 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp)#5AAPL$273.76370K**$275 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp)#6MSTR$155.38338K**$350/$300 Put Spread**#7AMZN$232.07282K**$232.5 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp)#8AMD$215.61276K**$215 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp)#9META$658.69272K**$660 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp)#10VALE$12.92265KJan 2027 $8 Puts Resources & Links: QuikOptions / The Hot Options Report: Access professional-grade data at TheHotOptionsReport.com . Options Insider Pro: Join the community and prepare for the upcoming Vol Death Match 2.0 at TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro . Mobile App: Access the full Radio Network on iTunes and Google Play.

The 2025 Crypto Year in Review | Bitcoin Breakdown & The IBIT Revolution As we close the books on an insane 2025, Mark Longo and Greg Magadini from Amberdata sit down for the final episode of The Crypto Rundown of the year. It has been a year of massive adoption, regulatory shifts, and the definitive "IPO moment" for Bitcoin. From the explosion of IBIT options to the wild rollercoaster of Ethereum and the rise of digital asset treasuries, we break down the data that defined the last 12 months. Inside This Episode: The 2025 Bitcoin Retrospective: Bitcoin started the year in the mid-90s, hit an all-time high of $126,000 in October, and weathered the "Tariff Tantrum" lows of $76,000. The IBIT Story: Why the IBIT ETF was the story of the year, bringing traditional US investors into the crypto vol space and shifting the vol surface from the offshore "whales" to Wall Street. Ethereum's Multiple Lives: ETH went from being "dead" in Q1 to hitting nearly $5,000 in August, before finishing the year back under $3,000. The Changing Vol Landscape: A deep dive into why crypto skew has turned negative, looking more like traditional equity markets than the "call-heavy" markets of years past. Altcoin Universe Wrap-up: Analyzing the 2025 performance of Solana, XRP, Doge, and the "Netflix of stablecoins," Circle. Digital Asset Treasuries: The struggle of MicroStrategy (MSTR) and MSTU as momentum shifted at the tail end of the year. Notable Quotes: "The spot ETF was the IPO moment for Bitcoin. It was the time for big-time whales to finally get liquidity and distribute shares like a corporate listing." — Greg Magadini Resources & Links: Amberdata: Access granular on-chain and market data at Amberdata.io . Options Insider Pro: Join the community and get the Pro Trading Crate at TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro . Follow the Network: Stay updated on Twitter @Options and @Amberdataio.

In this year-end finale, the All-Star panel gathers for a definitive look back at a historic 2025. From the "Tariff Tantrum" of April that sent the VIX screaming to 60, to the S&P 500 hitting all-time highs on Christmas Eve, Mark Longo and Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management break down the trends, the traps, and the massive volume records that redefined the options market this year. Plus, a solo trivia battle for the ages and a deep dive into why 2025 was truly the "Year of the Collar." Episode Highlights The Trading Block: A comprehensive 2025 post-mortem. The panel discusses the S&P's 1,000-point climb, the volatility spikes that caught traders off guard, and why hedged equity strategies became the essential tool for navigating the year's "madness." The 15 Billion Milestone: Mark breaks down the staggering 15,000,000,000 contracts traded in 2025—a 3x explosion since 2019—highlighting October 10th as the single busiest trading day in history. The Metals Mania: Uncle Mike reflects on Silver ($SLV) becoming the "meme stock of precious metals" and explains why he's finally fading the shiny stuff after a 50% gold rally. Odd Block: Reviewing the best "rolls of the bones" from the year, including activity in Bath & Body Works ($BBWI), steel rebar bets in Commercial Metals ($CMC), and e-commerce plays in VIP Shop ($VIPS). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike invokes "Miller Time"—explaining why the smartest move for the final week of the year is to "take the money and run" to get some much-needed rest before 2026 kicks off. Trivia Challenge: Uncle Mike faces off in a solo quest to defend his crown while the Rock Lobster remains MIA on vacation. Resources & Links Options Insider Pro: Join the community for exclusive live streams and Q&As at theoptionsinsider.com/pro . Broker Spotlight: Find out why Investopedia named Tastytrade the Best Broker for Options in 2024: tastytrade.com/podcasts . Follow the Network: Search "Options Insider Radio Network" on your favorite podcast platform.

Hot Options Report: Nvidia & Tesla Lead a Holiday-Shortened Volume Charge In this post-Christmas episode of The Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down a high-stakes, shortened trading week. While the holiday session started light, volume poured into the heavy hitters by the closing bell. We go "around the horn" from Broadcom to Nvidia, tracking the dominant option chains and the "0DTE" expiration trades that won (and lost) the day. The Top 10 Countdown: #10 Broadcom (AVGO): Opening call action at the 352.5 strike. Did the late-day rally save the bulls? #9 Amazon (AMZN): A 232.5 call battle. We analyze the 40-cent premium and why the "Amazonians" were left wanting more. #8 AMD: 54,000 contracts on the 215 calls as the stock sits a penny shy of the strike. #7 Netflix (NFLX): 94.5 calls seeing heavy volume for just a dime. #6 Meta: A rough day for the 665 calls as Facebook's successor slips. #5 MicroStrategy (MSTR): "The Monster" reverses losses. Why the 160 call sellers are the big winners today. #4 Apple (AAPL): 128,000 contracts on the 275 calls. A deep dive into the 30-cent premium trap. #3 Palantir (PLTR): The Trade of the Day. We break down the 190 puts that turned 41 cents into a $1.29 windfall. #2 Tesla (TSLA): 3.15 million contracts. A massive sweat for the 480 call sellers as Tesla dips 2%. #1 Nvidia (NVDA): The undisputed king of the tape with 3.25 million contracts. We look at the 192.5 call frenzy. Market Insights & Education: Intraday vs. Closing: Why "writing it into the close" was a dangerous game for call buyers this Friday. Winning Put Spreads: A look at how Palantir's volatility offered the best ROI on the board. 0DTE Dynamics: Analyzing the decay of cheap "lotto ticket" premiums in a post-holiday environment. Resources & Links: Free Options Data: Get the professional-grade data mentioned in the show for free at HotOptionsReport.com . Options Insider Pro: Join the community, get the Pro Trading Crate, and access the upcoming Vol Death Match 2.0 at TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro . Mobile App: Access the full Radio Network on iTunes and Google Play .

In the final Volatility Views of 2025, host Mark Longo is joined by Russell Rhoads (Dr. VIX) and Michael Listman (UVXY Trader) to dissect a wild year in the markets. From the "Santa Claus Rally" to the crushing of the VIX, we break down what traders need to know heading into 2026. In This Episode: Volatility Review: A look at the S&P 500 hitting all-time highs and the recent "volatility execution." Why did the Santa Rally take so long to arrive? UVXY Deep Dive: Michael Listman breaks down the UVXY reverse split mechanics. We discuss why liquidity is the best argument for UVXY and how to manage the "beta slippage" game. The Pairs Trade: Exploring the strategy of pairing UVXY vs. SVXY (or SVIX) to capture slippage while managing directional exposure. VIX Term Structure: Why the current curve is "steep" and what a 5-point premium in February futures says about 2026 market expectations. VIX Options Flow: Analyzing the "Jan 17 Puts" and the mysterious ongoing activity in the VIX 200 strike puts. The Crystal Ball: The team places their final VIX cash predictions for the first week of January 2026. Key Discussion Points: The "VIX Wizard": Why volatility arrives precisely when it means to (and how to monetize puts before they expire). Reverse Split Strategies: Does a 1-for-5 or 1-for-10 split actually change the trade? The "Weekend Trade": Russell's strategy for holding UVIX/UVXY over the weekend to catch volatility events. Resources & Links: Russell Rhoads (Dr. VIX): Follow him on X/Twitter @RussellRhoads . Michael Listman: Follow him on X @UVXYTrader or visit UVXY.pro . Options Insider Pro: Get the Pro Trading Crate and join the Vol Death Match at TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro . TastyTrade: Check out advanced tools for options and futures at TastyTrade.com/podcasts .

In this episode of Options Boot Camp, your drill instructors Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive back into the trenches to tackle a recurring nightmare for retail traders: why "perfect" vertical spreads sometimes result in losses. Following up on a "horror story" from a previous episode involving Marvell (MRV), the team breaks down the mechanics of spread books, broker liquidations, and the hidden risks of trading around major events. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The Marvell Meltdown: A deep dive into a listener's trade where a winning call vertical on MRV resulted in a loss due to after-hours volatility and broker liquidation. The Reality of Vertical Spreads: Why the P&L diagram is only half the story. We discuss why vertical spreads often perform worse than expected prior to expiration and the role theta plays in the final payoff. Legging vs. Spread Orders: When should you attempt to "leg out" of a spread? Dan and Mark discuss the risks of delta exposure when breaking apart a vertical in a fast-moving market. Broker Routing & PFOF: How Payment for Order Flow and specific broker "spread books" (like Robinhood's) can impact your execution quality, especially in illiquid names. Market Maker Psychology: What determines the width of a bid-ask spread? Dan explains how volatility risk and liquidity determine the "toll" you pay to enter and exit a trade. Mail Call: The team answers listener questions about avoiding spreads during earnings and the rise of prediction markets (binary betting). Chapters & Key Moments: 00:00 – Introduction and The Quintuple Content Palooza 03:15 – Follow-up: The Marvell Vertical Spread Disaster 07:45 – The pros and cons of "Legging" out of a trade 12:20 – Tips for dealing with unresponsive brokers during liquidations 16:30 – Market Taker Question: What drives the Bid-Ask Spread? 21:10 – Prediction Markets: Is it a trade or a bet? 25:40 – Silver and Crypto: The Question of the Week Special thanks to our sponsor: TastyTrade.com/podcasts