The Options Insider Radio Network

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: Rank Symbol Last Price Volume Hot Option Contract #1 TSLA $459.64 1.77M **$465 Puts** (Jan 2 Exp) #2 NVDA $188.22 1.63M **$190 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp) #3 BTI $52.00 609K **$50 Calls** (Jan Monthly) #4 PLTR $184.18 478K **$195 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp) #5 AAPL $273.76 370K **$275 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp) #6 MSTR $155.38 338K **$350/$300 Put Spread** #7 AMZN $232.07 282K **$232.5 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp) #8 AMD $215.61 276K **$215 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp) #9 META $658.69 272K **$660 Calls** (Jan 2 Exp) #10 VALE $12.92 265K Jan 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

Welcome to today's episode of The Hot Options Report—your essential guide to options trading and stock market analysis as we head into the holiday break. Host Mark Longo breaks down the day's market volatility, concentrating on the top options trades and key stock movements driving the tape before the holiday. In this episode, we dive into the massive trading volumes and unusual activity seen across the leaderboard, including a historic day for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and the continued dominance of Tesla (TSLA) and Nvidia (NVDA). On This Episode, We Discuss: The NVO "Pill" Pop: Novo Nordisk shares surged following the landmark FDA approval of the oral version of Wegovy. We analyze the explosion in call volume and what this fundamental shift means for the GLP-1 "Weight Loss War" heading into 2026. Tesla (TSLA) Sentiment: Tesla remains the undisputed king of the tape as it pushes toward key psychological levels. We break down the massive open interest and the "Santa Rally" positioning ahead of the highly anticipated January delivery report. Nvidia (NVDA) & The China Pivot: With reports circulating about a green light for specific AI chip shipments to China, Nvidia is seeing a massive influx of aggressive call buying. Is the "AI Trade" finding a second wind for the new year? Broad Market Check: Is the market gift-wrapped for a year-end surge? We look at the sentiment reflected in the major index options chains amidst thin holiday liquidity and record highs for the S&P 500. Unusual Activity Spotlight: We track the "Hot Trades" of the day, including surprising volume in names like MicroStrategy (MSTR) and Robinhood (HOOD). Year-End Positioning: A look at why traders are rolling positions and selling premium to capture holiday decay. Tune in for detailed insights into each options trade, the macro drivers behind today's tape, and the vital implications for active traders. Get more options data, charts, and analysis at: TheHotOptionsReport.com

In this episode of Volatility Views on the Options Insider Radio Network, Mark Longo and Dr. Russell Rhoads dive into the shifting landscape of volatility as the final full trading week of 2025 comes to a close. While much of the market is heading into holiday "hibernation," geopolitical tensions are lighting up the commodity space. The team breaks down why Energy CVOL is pinning the needle to the upside while Treasury and FX volatility are being "taken to the woodshed." Key Topics Covered: The Venezuela "Brouhaha": How intensified pressure and crude embargoes are reviving Energy CVOL (WTI) and driving it to weekly highs. Commodity Volatility Split: A deep dive into the aggregate CVOL levels for Metals, Ags, and the broader Commodities complex vs. the dying volatility in Fixed Income. The VIX Term Structure: Analyzing the current curve and what the "post-Fed" environment means for the remainder of 2025. Vol Products in Focus: Performance updates and trade analysis for SVXY, UVXY, and VIX futures. Looking Ahead to 2026: Anticipated market movers and volatility catalysts for the new year. Listener Mailbag: Russell and Mark answer your questions regarding volatility products and specific trading strategies.  

2025 Year-End Review with Nick Howard Episode Summary: It's the most volatile time of the year! In this Holiday Hot Options Special, Mark Longo and Nick Howard (creator of QuikOptions) break down the massive institutional moves closing out 2025. We dive deep into the top 10 most active options chains—including the heavy hitters like Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), and Broadcom (AVGO)—to see how the "smart money" is positioning for the January 2026 opening. Inside the Tape: Today's Most Active Chains We analyze the unusual activity and volume surges in the following names: The Big Three: Nvidia, Tesla, and Apple. Semiconductor Heat: Broadcom (AVGO) and AMD. Growth & Momentum: Palantir (PLTR), Netflix (NFLX), Meta, and Amazon. QuikOptions Feature Spotlight Nick Howard walks us through how to use thehotoptionsreport.com to stay ahead of the holiday whipsaws: Advanced Data Filtering: Finding the signal in the year-end noise. Custom Watchlists: How to track the "Santa Rally" candidates in real-time. Earnings Retrospective: Reviewing past earnings moves to project 2026 volatility. Listener Mailbag: Your Trading Questions Visualizing the Market: Will QuikOptions be adding Heat Maps soon? Scanning for Gold: How to find the specific "Hot Option" in a sea of strikes. IBIT & ETF Scans: Dealing with non-stock symbols in the scanner. Resources & Links Access the Tool: thehotoptionsreport.com The Options Insider Network: theoptionsinsider.com

Holiday Whipsaws & The $90k Bitcoin Battle Episode Summary: Bitcoin is entering the holiday stretch with a fight for the $90,000 handle following the Fed's final interest rate cut of 2025. Host Mark Longo breaks down the high-stakes leverage building in the crypto markets. We analyze the "sell-the-open" pattern hitting U.S. sessions, the massive open interest in Bitcoin futures, and why the $85,000 floor remains the most critical support level for the end-of-year "Santa Rally."

The Option Block: Holiday Havoc, iRobot Reversals, and Year-End RMDs The All-Star Panel is back to wrap up the year! Host Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and The Rock Lobster Andrew Giovinazzi dive into a festive but frantic market to break down the latest unusual activity and essential year-end strategies. The Trading Block: Market Sentiment: How the holiday season is warping typical market movements and what to expect from the "Santa Claus Rally." Unusual Activity in iRobot ($IRBT): Breaking down the latest heavy flow in the robotics space. Gap ($GPS) Check-in: Analyzing the recent retail trades as the year comes to a close. The Strategy Block: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Uncle Mike breaks down the critical deadlines and pitfalls for traditional IRAs. Don't let the IRS take a bigger cut than necessary. Holiday Trading Hours: Insights on the best (and worst) times to put on trades when liquidity is thin. Around the Block: Favorite Christmas Movies: The team debates the holiday greats. Is A Christmas Story still the king, or does Elf take the crown? Plus, thoughts on the stop-motion nostalgia of Rudolph. Check out more from The Options Insider: TheOptionsInsider.com Follow us on Twitter: @Options

In this special midday edition of the Hot Options Report, host Mark Longo from the Options Insider Network covers the most active options trades of the day. Key highlights include high volumes and significant movements in options for Core Weave, Nike, AMD, Amazon, Oracle, Palantir, Apple, Beyond Meat, Tesla, and Nvidia. The episode emphasizes tracking the top 10 movers in the options market, with detailed insights into the notable contracts driving the day's trading activity.  For more options data, go to TheHotOptionsReport.com.

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.

The Hot Options Report: Tesla Par Calls & Micron's AI Surge Date: December 18, 2025 Host: Mark Longo Can Tesla actually hit $500? In this episode, Mark Longo breaks down a high-volume Thursday where Tesla (TSLA) reclaiming the top spot was just the beginning. We dive into the massive retail and institutional interest in the Tesla 500 par calls and why traders are shelling out big premiums despite the strike being out of the money. We also analyze the tech recovery sparked by Micron (MU) earnings and a cooler-than-expected CPI report. From Palantir's (PLTR) roaring return to life to the funky in-the-money put action in Netflix (NFLX) and Oracle (ORCL), we track the smart money moving through the tape. The Top 10 Most Active Options Today #1 Tesla (TSLA): 2.97M contracts. Breaking down the 179,000 contracts at the 500 strike. #2 Nvidia (NVDA): 2.86M contracts. Tracking the 180 calls as AI sentiment shifts. #3 Netflix (NFLX): 973K contracts. Analyzing the bizarre $114 puts and Jan-26 positioning. #4 Apple (AAPL): 953K contracts. Can the fruit company cross the 275 threshold by tomorrow? #5 Amazon (AMZN): 791K contracts. Bullish sentiment holds at the 230 strike. #6 Micron (MU): 785K contracts. Earnings reaction: 10% pop and 260 strike dominance. #7 Palantir (PLTR): 777K contracts. Drawing a line in the sand at the 190 calls. #8 Broadcom (AVGO): 758K contracts. Funky flow as AVGO goes Ex-Dividend. #9 The Monster (MSTR): 756K contracts. Breaking down the 200 par puts. #10 Oracle (ORCL): 673K contracts. High-parity put action at the 220 strike. Resources & Links Live Data: TheHotOptionsReport.com Join the Pro Community: TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro Follow Mark on X: @OptionsInsider

The Option Block: Silver Thieves, Options Records & Suspicious DJT Trades The All-Star Panel convenes for the final Thursday of 2025! Host Mark Longo is joined by Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz (Cboe) and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) to break down a wild year-end session. The Trading Block The 15 Billion Milestone: Henry Schwartz predicts when the 15,000,000,000th options contract of 2025 will trade. Silver's Historic Run: Mike Tosaw discusses the "thief in the night" move in SLV as it hits new highs, and why he's finally fading the metal. Market Rotation: A look at the aggressive move back into tech (XLK, Micron, Palantir) following cooler CPI data. The Odd Block DJT "Skullduggery": We analyze suspicious call buying in DJT (Trump Media) immediately preceding a 40% jump on fusion merger news. Leslie's Inc (LESL): Why is someone grabbing thousands of calls in a stock that has dropped 95% this year? Ticker Autopsy: A look back at the failed $210k bet on IPA (now HYFT).

In this episode of The Futures Rundown on The Options Insider Radio Network, host Mark Longo is joined by Jamal Chandler, Head of Options Strategy at Tastytrade. Together, they dissect the final trading weeks of 2025, providing a deep dive into the high-volatility moves across metals, energy, and digital assets. Market Deep Dives: Precious Metals: Why Silver ($SI) has become the inescapable asset of 2025, hitting new highs near the $65 level, and the massive year-to-date runs in Gold ($GC), Platinum, and Palladium. The Energy Complex: Analyzing the "Bruhaha" in Crude Oil ($CL) following Venezuelan embargoes and the steep correction in Natural Gas ($NG). Crypto Trends: Is a "Crypto Winter" coming for Ether ($ETH)? We break down the 15% weekly drawdown and the maturity of the crypto ecosystem. Agricultural Movers: A look at the surprise rallies in Lithium and Cash Settled Cheese, alongside the underperformance of Coffee and Orange Juice. Key Segments: The Trading Pit: A review of the most active contracts, including the Nasdaq-100 Micro and 10-year notes. Year-to-Date Movers: Which assets took the "rocket ship to the moon" and which are ending 2025 as the biggest losers? Prediction Markets: The implications of binaries on everything from sports to the Oscars. Listener Polls: Is it time to buy the dip in Silver or get out before 2026?

In this episode of Options Boot Camp, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) dive deep into the mechanics of the Wheel Strategy—one of the most popular frameworks for generating consistent options income. Whether you are selling cash-secured puts or managing covered calls, the "Wheel" is a powerful tool for any trader's playbook, but what happens when the market moves against you? Mark and Dan break down the specific scenarios traders face when a trade goes south, offering a masterclass in position management and cost basis reduction. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Managing Losing Trades: What to do when your initial put sale goes in-the-money. Stock Repair Strategies: How to use the "Repair Manual" to recover from underwater positions without adding more capital. Averaging Down vs. Rolling: The pros and cons of lowering your entry price in a declining market. The Importance of Objectives: Why a clear "exit plan" is the most critical part of the Wheel Strategy. Advanced Covered Calls: Strategic strikes for when you've been assigned the underlying stock.

This episode of the Hot Options Report delivers an expert options market analysis of high-volume contracts across Amazon (AMZN), AMD, Netflix (NFLX), Alphabet (GOOGL), Oracle (ORCL), Palantir (PLTR), Broadcom (AVGO), Nvidia (NVDA), and Tesla (TSLA). As part of the Options Insider Radio Network's "Quintuple Mania" series, we provide insider insights into unusual options activity, specifically breaking down Amazon's 220 strikes, Oracle's deep in-the-money puts, and the heavy flow surrounding Tesla's 500 calls. Our traders analyze significant trade values and the broader market implications of December volatility, offering a detailed review of institutional sentiment and derivative strategies for retail traders. Join us for this special edition of back-to-back market coverage, focusing on the high-conviction trades and implied volatility shifts currently driving the tech and AI sectors as we head into year-end. For traders looking to dive deeper into the numbers behind these moves, you can access more comprehensive options data at TheHotOptionsReport.com.

What defined European markets in 2025, and what trading trends will dominate 2026? In this year-end episode of the European Market Brief, host Mark Longo joins industry experts from Eurex, Advantage Futures, and Indiana University for a deep dive into market performance and future outlooks. The panel moves beyond a simple review to analyze surprising shifts in market structure, from the explosion of prediction markets to the demand for 24-hour trading access. Tune in to hear the panel discuss: 2026 Market Predictions: Where the experts see European opportunities next year. Volatility Strategies: Why interest in trading volatility remained high in 2025. Futures Debates: The evolving roles of cash vs. physically settled futures. New Frontiers: Opportunities in credit indices and round-the-clock trading. Featured Guests: Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business Mike O'Malley, Advantage Futures Lee Bartholomew, Eurex

Join Mark Longo from The Options Insider for the essential breakdown of options volume and market momentum. The Top Options Volume Action (Single Name Equities) Tesla (TSLA) Dominates: Tesla recaptures the #1 spot with nearly 3 million contracts traded (2.89M), rallying over 3%. The hottest trade? A huge volume spike in the expiring $500 Calls, signaling major bullish bets on further upside this week. Nvidia (NVDA) Volume Cools: The typical options volume king falls to #2 with 1.43 million contracts traded—less than half its recent average. The focus remains on the near-term $180 Calls. Contrarian Flow in Palantir (PLTR): Despite rallying 2.5%, Palantir saw significant defensive action with nearly 37,000 contracts traded in the near-term $180 Puts. High-Interest Stock & Options Breakdown Pfizer (PFE) Sells Off: PFE drops 3.4%, landing on the most active list with notable volume in the February $23 Puts, suggesting a line in the sand may have been drawn by put sellers. Tech Sector Rally: Both Oracle (ORCL) and Netflix (NFLX) showed small rallies, accompanied by high volume in short-dated calls, including Oracle's expiring $190 Calls and Netflix's out-of-the-money $100 Calls. MicroStrategy (MSTR) Upside Bets: The monster stock sees a pop and a focus on next week's $175 Calls, signaling traders are looking for continued momentum into the end of the year. Amazon (AMZN) & Apple (AAPL) Volume: Both tech stalwarts remained highly active with large call volume trades, including Amazon's $225 Calls and Apple's $275 Calls. Resources & Next Steps Options Data Source: Today's data is powered by QuikOptions. Go to TheHotOptionsReport.com for more options data. Join The PRO Network: Don't miss out on Pro Q&As, giveaways, live streams, and the upcoming Vol Death Match 2.0! Learn more and subscribe: TheOptionsInsider.com/PRO

Mark Longo welcomes Greg Magadini of Amberdata for The Crypto Rundown to dissect the crypto market's weakness following the latest Fed meeting. As Bitcoin (BTC) drops back below the $90,000 level and altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) pull back, the hosts analyze critical volatility indicators and options flow to determine if a full "crypto winter" is approaching, or if it's time to buy the dip. Key Discussion Points & Trading Insights Is Winter Coming? Bitcoin has pulled back $4,000 post-FOMC, leading to a highly divided audience poll on whether to buy the dip or prepare for more downside. Vol Skew Analysis: The volatility surface has fundamentally reshaped since the summer, with long-dated Put Skew (puts more expensive than calls) priced in all the way out to 180 days. Greg explains how this positioning suggests IBIT holders are well-hedged. Critical Inflection Point: Analysis of Gamma Exposure profiles pinpoints the $85,000 strike as the key downside level for dealers, separating consolidation from a major crash risk. Understanding Shadow Term Structure: Greg explains this cool Amberdata tool, which acts as a time-lapse for volatility, allowing traders to compare current term structure to historical trends. Hottest Crypto Options: Dissection of trades in IBIT (Bitcoin ETF) and the highly speculative MSTU (leveraged MicroStrategy). Learn why the MSTU upside is a favorite sell for premium collectors. Altcoin Universe: Analysis of Ethereum (ETH) falling below $3,000, Solana (SOL) (SOL) at $125, and their relative volatility against each other. Trading Strategy: Greg explains why he prefers to sell long-term puts on assets like Circle (C) to finance long-term call spreads, capturing high Vega exposure before expected volatility repricing. Volatility Data Covered: BTC, ETH Volatility (7-Day, 30-Day, 180-Day) BTC, ETH Vol Skew & Risk Reversal IBIT Options Flow (Dec 52/54 Vertical)

Join Mark Longo for the Hot Options Report as he breaks down the final full trading week of the year. This episode tracks the flow in the single-name equity options market, dominated by a massive Tesla rally and surprising downside action in several key tech stocks. Learn which strikes were hottest and what the implied sentiment suggests for year-end trading. Today's Top Options Trading Stories Tesla (TSLA) Roars Back: A huge rally on Monday drives Tesla to the number one spot in volume, fueled by a massive amount of activity in the TSLA 500 Calls expiring this week. The question remains: can the stock hit that key par strike by Friday? The Tech Titan Tumble: Major names like Apple (AAPL), Broadcom (AVGO), Oracle (ORCL), and the "Widowmaker" Netflix (NFLX) all finished the day in the red, seeing significant volume as they slipped from recent highs. Nvidia (NVDA) Bucks the Trend: Despite overall market weakness in large-cap tech, Nvidia managed a gain, placing second in volume with heavy interest in the NVDA 180 Calls. Hot Trade Insights SoFi (SOFI): Continued weakness drives interest in the 28 Calls, possibly indicating traders using an attractive one-week Covered Call strategy. MicroStrategy (MSTR): The massive sell-off led to heavy trading in the 165 Puts for over $5.00, suggesting traders are either buying protection or betting on continued downside. Covered Calls: A significant theme emerges with high volume in out-of-the-money calls for weekly expiration across multiple names (AAPL, NFLX, AMZN, etc.), suggesting traders are willing to sell premium or expect a limited rally this week. For more options data, go to TheHotOptionsReport.com

Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management), and Andrew 'The Rock Lobster' Giovinazzi (The Option Pit) break down the final full trading week of 2025. This high-stakes episode covers the shocking conclusion to the '80s Trivia Challenge, explosive VIX and index flow, and a crucial year-end Tax Strategy discussion. The '80s Trivia Challenge: A Consequential Loss The dramatic conclusion of the year-long contest: Uncle Mike vs. The Rock Lobster. The hosts sweat it out in a high-pressure round of Sports & Leisure trivia. Find out who claims the point and if the "Chicago Politics" conspiracy theories hold up! The Trading Block: End-of-Year Market Breakdown The VIX Cash index is rallying off recent lows. Is this December different from years past? The Rock Lobster confesses his VIX Puts strategy was his "worst product" of the year due to being a "Greedy Pig" and not monetizing the downside swings. The panel also looks at key single-name movers like Apple (AAPL), Broadcom (AVGO), and a roaring Tesla (TSLA). Hot Options Report: VIX Puts & SPY Zero Day Flow Detailed analysis of today's hottest option: The dirt-cheap Dec 15th VIX Puts for $0.04. Plus, a look at the massive flow in SPY (SPY) and SPX (SPX) index options, confirming the zero-day trend, alongside surprising upside action in the QQQ (QQQ) Calls. Strategy Block: Crucial Year-End Tax Planning Uncle Mike provides essential guidance on year-end tax strategies. He details how to use Tax Loss Harvesting to offset gains and reminds traders about the Wash Sale rules. A must-listen segment covers the Mark-to-Market rule for 1256 Contracts (like SPX options) before the December 31st deadline. Around the Block: Silver (SLV) Poll & All-Time Highs The team forecasts whether Silver (SLV) can continue its historic run into 2026. Plus, predictions on if the SPX can hit new All-Time Highs before the new year.

In this episode of Volatility Views, Mark Longo (The Options Insider), Russell Rhoads (Kelley School of Business at Indiana University), and Andrew Giovinazzi (The Option Pit) dive deep into the week's market volatility. They begin with an in-depth analysis of the notable Fed cut announcement and its immediate market implications. Key Volatility Trading Insights: VIX Products & Options: Detailed breakdown of VIX options behavior, volatility spikes, and significant trades. Fed Reaction: Analyzing insights from Fed officials and the overall market reaction to the rate decision. ETPs Explored: Intricacies of volatility ETPs, including $SVIX and $UVXY performance and strategy. Strategies & Predictions: In-depth trading strategies and predictions for the upcoming week in the volatility market.

The options market was on fire! Host Mark Longo breaks down the Top 10 Most Active Single Name Equity Options for Friday, November 12th on the Hot Options Report. Find out which stocks saw heavy options volume following the post-Fed whipsaw action. This episode is packed with options trading insights, including key volume, average prices, and market trends for: Tesla (TSLA): The day's Number 1 spot, blowing through 4.5 million contracts and closing with a winner on the 455 calls. Nvidia (NVDA): Putting up nearly 4 million contracts amid AI spending concerns. Broadcom (AVGO): The massive sell-off after earnings and the high-volume 365 calls. Oracle (ORCL): Selling off hard, but with high call volume for the 195 strike. Apple (AAPL): Bucking the overall market sell-off and climbing into the close. High-Volume Names: Analysis of Netflix (NFLX), Merck (MRK), Monster (MNST), the wild ride of Rivian (RIVN), and Palantir (PLTR). Go to TheHotOptionsReport.com for more options data.

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.

Options Traders, this is your closing bell recap! The Hot Options Report breaks down the wild options market volume seen on a critical post-Federal Reserve trading day. Host Mark Longo delivers crucial options flow analysis across the most active tickers. Top Options Flow Analysis: Mark Longo dives into the closing volume across the most active tickers, including the Oracle ($ORCL) plunge, Nvidia ($NVDA), Tesla ($TSLA), Apple ($AAPL), and MSTR. Deep-Dive into Hot Trades: Get key insights on today's largest option transactions, specifically the massive interest in Robinhood ($HOOD) 125 Calls and the Vale ($VALE) Jan 12 Calls, plus activity in Palantir ($PLTR) and AMD ($AMD). Don't miss this essential look at market movements and price actions after the closing bell on 12-11-2025. For more options data and insights, visit thehotoptionsreport.com.

Options Traders, this is your closing bell recap! The Hot Options Report breaks down the wild options market volume seen on a critical post-Federal Reserve trading day. Host Mark Longo delivers crucial options flow analysis across the most active tickers. Top Options Flow Analysis: Mark Longo dives into the closing volume across the most active tickers, including the Oracle ($ORCL) plunge, Nvidia ($NVDA), Tesla ($TSLA), Apple ($AAPL), and MSTR. Deep-Dive into Hot Trades: Get key insights on today's largest option transactions, specifically the massive interest in Robinhood ($HOOD) 125 Calls and the Vale ($VALE) Jan 12 Calls, plus activity in Palantir ($PLTR) and AMD ($AMD). Don't miss this essential look at market movements and price actions after the closing bell on 12-11-2025. For more options data and insights, visit thehotoptionsreport.com.

On this crucial post-Fed episode, hosts Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Henry 'The Flowmaster' Schwartz (Cboe) deliver expert options trading analysis and strategy. The team breaks down the dramatic Oracle (ORCL) plunge, the latest VIX and index (SPX, SPY, QQQ) volatility, and Henry Schwartz's insights into unusual options flow. Plus, a deep dive into the newly launched Cboe MAG 10 index options and market predictions for the highly anticipated Santa Claus Rally. The hosts also investigate unexpected options activity in names like Sentinel One (S), Rocket Labs (RKLB), and Honda Motor Corp (HMC). Tune in for essential year-end market strategy!

In this vital Options Bootcamp episode, host Mark Longo from The Options Insider provides an in-depth tutorial on butterfly spread strategies alongside guest Brian Overby from OptionsPlaybook.com. They explore both traditional and advanced butterfly strategies—including the Open Wing Butterfly (often known as a Broken Wing Butterfly) and the Intrinsic Value Butterfly—explaining their practical options trading applications and defined risk/reward benefits. This is essential options trading education for neutral, low-volatility markets. Additionally, they address a listener's puzzling options scenario involving Marvell ($MRVL) stock and offer clear resolution strategies for similar trading challenges, emphasizing proper broker interaction and order management.

In this episode of the European Market Brief, the discussion centers on navigating the European derivatives markets and managing market risk. Host Mark Longo is joined by experts Matt Koren (Eurex), Mark Wator (Barchart), and Russell Rhoads (Kelley School of Business at Indiana University) to provide in-depth volatility trading analysis. Key topics include the nuances and trading opportunities within the V-STOXX index (Europe's leading volatility index), its direct comparison to the VIX, and the evolving analytic tools and derivatives market data provided by Barchart. Other highlights cover insights into real-time trading activities, the influence of major European market events, and future plans for new financial products, particularly in options and volatility trading. The episode wraps up with answering listener queries about V-STOXX data sources and proven trading strategies.

Welcome to today's episode of The Hot Options Report—your essential guide to options trading and stock market analysis on Fed Day, December 10th, 2025. Host Mark Longo breaks down the day's market volatility, concentrating on the top options trades and key stock movements driven by the day's events. This detailed market analysis highlights massive trading volumes across Microsoft (MSFT), Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Oracle (ORCL), Palantir (PLTR), Taiwan Semi (TSM), Netflix (NFLX), Nvidia (NVDA), and Tesla (TSLA). Tune in for detailed insights into each options trade, what precisely drove the stock market on this crucial Fed Day, and the vital implications for active traders. Don't miss out on the unique opportunities and expert market commentary provided in this episode! For comprehensive options data, real-time reports, and exclusive analysis, visit TheHotOptionsReport.com. Don't miss out!

Host Mark Longo from the Options Insider analyzes today's top single-name equity options performers, breaking down the volume, unusual activity, and major market movements impacting your trading account. This episode reveals the day's options volume leaders and spotlights where the big money is moving its capital: Nvidia (NVDA): Topped the list with 2.56 million contracts, focusing on the $190$ calls as traders anticipate continued rally. Tesla (TSLA): High volume at 1.7 million contracts with a focus on $440$ calls amidst a sell-off. Robinhood (HOOD): Surged to the top 10 with 356,000 contracts after Indonesia expansion news, highlighted by a notable block trade of $145$ calls. Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD): Posted strong call volume (Jan $28$ calls) after moving back to the upside. Alphabet Class A (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Netflix (NFLX), Apple (AAPL), SoFi (SOFI), and Intel (INTC) are all discussed in detail with a breakdown of their respective options trading activity. Get all the data and charts: TheHotOptionsReport.com

This week on The Crypto Rundown, we dive into the latest trends in Bitcoin and Ethereum options trading and the broader cryptocurrency derivatives markets. We analyze Bitcoin's recent rally, its price movement, and the shifting volatility landscape. We also explore the critical dynamics of Ether (Ethereum), focusing on its current volatility levels and key factors impacting its price action. Deep-Dive Analysis: Why the MSTU reverse split makes it a hot target for options trading right now. Expert Insight: Greg Magadini from Amberdata joins the show to share his outlook on Ethereum, Solana, Circle, and Shiba Inu (altcoins). Strategies & Sentiment: A final discussion on advanced crypto options trading strategies and a review of current market sentiment indicators. Don't miss these essential insights for navigating the crypto derivatives landscape!

Today, The Option Block dives into the most important topics for active traders: options trading strategies and detailed market analysis. Host Mark Longo, joined by co-hosts Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Andrew Giovinazzi (The Option Pit), focuses on VIX trends and how to profit from a changing volatility landscape. We break down the anticipation for the upcoming Federal Reserve announcements and provide key insights into their potential impact on the options market. Plus, get an in-depth analysis of unusual options activity in stocks like Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) and TMC. Market Analysis: Intricate trends in the VIX and strategies for dealing with general market volatility. Trade Breakdown: Unusual activity in WBD and TMC options flow. Upcoming Earnings: Key insights and options trading strategies for major reports from Oracle and Broadcom. Forward Look: A final roundtable on what to watch for in the trading days ahead, especially concerning Fed decisions. Don't miss this essential guide to navigating the current options market landscape.

The options tape was ON FIRE!

In this episode of 'Volatility Views,' the market's premier volatility podcast, we tackle the biggest questions for volatility traders: Are anticipated interest rate cuts about to crush the entire VIX term structure? This episode is hosted by Mark Longo (The Options Insider) and joined by Mark Sebastian (The Option Pit) and Dr. Russell Rhoads (Indiana University Kelley School of Business). We break down recent VIX options flow, examine crucial shifts in the volatility curve, and offer a forward-looking forecast for the Cboe VIX Index in the coming week.

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?

In this episode of The Option Block, host Mark Longo (The Options Insider Media Group) and our expert panel deliver a crucial breakdown of the current options market trends. We dive deep into analyzing unusual options activity, dissecting key index volumes across VIX, SPX, IWM, and QQQ. Our discussion features insights from Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Henry Schwartz (Cboe Global Markets). We cover volatility signals and the explosive growth of binary and prediction markets, debating their future on major exchanges. Plus, we get an exclusive look at new CBOE products and market events. Don't miss our detailed options analysis on individual stocks, including Meta, Gap, United States Antimony Corp, and Intuitive Machines Inc. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps & Key Topics 02:15 | Market Sentiment & VIX Activity Analysis 08:40 | Index Options Volume Breakdown (SPX, IWM, QQQ) 14:55 | Individual Stock Deep Dive: Meta, Gap, United States Antimony Corp, Intuitive Machines Inc. 23:10 | The Binary Markets Debate: Should they be listed on everything? 32:00 | Focus on New CBOE Products and Upcoming Market Events

A breakdown of the Hot Options Activity for Thursday 12-4-25. Enjoy!

Join host Mark Benzaquen for the final Wide World of Options broadcast of 2025 featuring Market Taker Mentoring's Dan Passarelli. In this insightful episode, Dan shares his perspective on the surprising market valuations of 2025, offers his outlook for 2026, and discusses the evolution of retail options traders. The conversation concludes with a fun lightning round, with a look into Dan's professional projects, including his upcoming book release in April 2026.