Podcasts about optionsxpress

Recorded on March 20, 2017, this Best of Option block looks back on when the SKEW index finally popped. Posted March 21st, 2017 Trading Block: Apple continues to rally. NASDAQ touches fresh intra-day record, but stocks fight for traction. CBOE Skew Index trending higher. It's about time. Odd Block: Puts trade in GameStop Inc. (GME), call spreads trade in FireEye Inc. (FEYE) and puts trade in Grupo Televisa SAB (TV). Mail Block: Polls, upsets, questions, and more. Options #BrokerMadness tournament going on now. Tough battle today in #options #BrokerMadness as @optionsXpress takes on @IBKR, Who will emerge to take on @TradingBlock? @LSFinancial crushing @tradier Options #QuestionoftheWeek: In #BrokerMadness spirit, lets bring the fight to exchanges. What is your fav? Where do you send your business? CBOE/BATS NYSE/Arca/AMEX NASDAQ/PHLX/ISE Other: BOX,MIAX, etc Listener question: Question from JVao - Sell put + buy call = long delta exposure = cheaper than buying the underlying = maximizing skew = why does everyone not do this? Around the Block: What's coming up this week? Earnings! Tuesday - Nike, FedEx Thursday- GameStop This week in the market: Mar 22: Existing Home Sales Mar 23: Jobless Claims, New Home Sales Mar 24: Durable Goods

In this episode, Mark is live (to tape) at the 2017 Options Industry Conference. He is joined by Jack Boyle, Vice President of Broker-Dealer Services at optionsXpress. They discuss: What does the vice president of broker-dealer services do? Updates on merging the trading platforms Reviewing commission structures What is behind the dhanges in the retail space The impact of low volatility The need for options education Expanding outreach Upgrades to the trading platform Mobile access Is there more broker M&A to be had?

Trading Block: Apple continues to rally. NASDAQ touches fresh intra-day record, but stocks fight for traction. CBOE Skew Index trending higher. It's about time. Odd Block: Puts trade in GameStop Inc. (GME), call spreads trade in FireEye Inc. (FEYE) and puts trade in Grupo Televisa SAB (TV). Mail Block: Polls, upsets, questions, and more. Options #BrokerMadness tournament going on now. Tough battle today in #options #BrokerMadness as @optionsXpress takes on @IBKR, Who will emerge to take on @TradingBlock? @LSFinancial crushing @tradier Options #QuestionoftheWeek: In #BrokerMadness spirit, lets bring the fight to exchanges. What is your fav? Where do you send your business? CBOE/BATS NYSE/Arca/AMEX NASDAQ/PHLX/ISE Other: BOX,MIAX, etc Listener question: Question from JVao - Sell put + buy call = long delta exposure = cheaper than buying the underlying = maximizing skew = why does everyone not do this? Around the Block: What's coming up this week? Earnings! Tuesday - Nike, FedEx Thursday - GameStop This week in the market: Mar 22: Existing Home Sales Mar 23: Jobless Claims, New Home Sales Mar 24: Durable Goods

Xpress Block: We have special guest co-host: Barry Metzger, CEO of optionsXpress. He discusses: The latest developments at OX. Interesting platform upgrades and tech overhauls What are the OX clients trading during the height of earnings season? Any interesting customer questions/feedback? Trading Block: Options Traders Brace for Amazon Earnings. Amazon at $612.60. ATM straddle $49, approx. 8%. LinkedIn Corporation - $123. ATM straddle $16.20, approx. 13%. Earnings before the bell: CME, Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Company, Honda Motor Company, MasterCard Incorporated, MSCI Inc, Time Warner Cable, United Parcel Service, Viacom Inc. It was a rough week for Apple - $96.20 today. Stock crushed post-earnings, opened down $8.35 or 8%. Icahn bails out on Apple stock. Nasdaq mulls new exchange to ease trading in illiquid ETFs. Odd Block: Calls trade in Methanex Corp (MEOH), calls and stock trade in Ebay Inc. (EBAY), and calls trade in KKR and Co. (KKR). Mail Block: Listener questions and comments Question from Mohammed - Hi Mark! The Options Insider website is superb resource for new and experienced options traders. I know your weekly newsletter you folks you report significant/unusual done options trading activity across stock and ETFs. After searching on your site and overall online, I have found it quite difficult to locate a website which details some of the terminology used when describing the large blocks traded (e.g. "price variation"). If you could compile a glossary or an overview of how to view/assess options order flow that would be excellent. Keep up the great work! Thanks. Question from Maha - How difficult is it to become a successful options day trader? Around the Block: A review of after-hours prices for LNKD, AMZN. Earnings parade continues with CBOE and XOM. Will the Icahn dump of AAPL have a longer-term impact. Central bank flim flammery.

Trading Tech Talk 26: Talking Algo Design and Technical Analysis   CTO Interview: Today's guest is Vlad Karpel, Former CTO of OptionsXpress and Founder of TradeSpoon. He discusses: An overview of his background in the options market. TradeSpoon: what is it? What makes it unique? The TradeSpoon trade recommendation algorithm. Some of the offerings from TradeSpoon, including: Trade Idea Tool, Options Toolbox, Momentum Scanner, Unusual Options Scanner, Size Scanner, Total Value Scanner, and Tradespoon Scoop.   Hot Topics in Tech: Not much love for financial firms in the survey of recent Engineering and CS graduates. Only three financial firms - Goldman, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley in the top 50. Investment in financial technology groups triples to $12bn in year   The Inbox: Listener questions and comments   An overview of tools for technology analysis for retail customers

Option Block 331: Maximizing Your IRA Trading Block: It was a pretty slow day, with all major indices basically unchanged on the day. Expiration issues prompted many phone calls to the optionsXpress desk. Earnings aren't running over premium sellers like the last time. Pit trading helped out the CME last week. HFT narrative still active in the market.  Odd Block: Big call buy in Wal-Mart Stores Inc., May call spread trades in Western Digital Corp. (WDC), put buying in Target Corp. (TGT), and closing out a huge position in Lloyds Bank of London (LYG). Xpress Block: Frenzy about a shortened expiration week, particularly with indexes.  Mail Block: Listener questions drive the conversation.   What to do with a losing position? Day trading commissions and tax implications. Maximizing a Roth IRA.

Option Block 315: The Great Iron Fly Vs. Condor Debate Trading Block: Market up 0.5%, Facebook buys WhatsApp for $19B, and Groupon takes a wild ride after hours Odd Block: Put buying in Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO), puts trade in iPath S&P 500 VIX Short Term ETP (VXX), put spreads trade in EcoLab Inc. (ECL), and put spreads trade in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (EEM) ETF. Mail Block: Alex wanted another go at Snowbird's question from last week.   Question from Infimy - What is the ASPs favorite options analytics suite? Comment/Question from Hack3 - Bitcoin imploded after you guys trashed it on Options Block. Coincidence? Question from John King - @Options Could you discuss preference of Iron Fly to regular butterflies, ICs, etc? Always neutral or OK with one side in money? Timing?

Option Block 312: Juicy Buffett Puts Trading Block: Market up 1%. Is the brief correction over?  VIX far below the 20-handle. Twitter taking it on the chin; down 23% off news that subscriber growth is slowing.  Zynga back up in the $4.5 range again. Is it risk reversal time again? Odd Block:  Giant collars go up in Zynga Inc. (ZNGA), puts trade in NuPathe Inc. (PATH), calls trade in Global X Uranium ETF (URA), and giant collar trades in TD Ameritrade Holdings Corp (AMTD) Xpress Block:  Big volume in Yelp, Green Mountain, and Twitter.  More weeklys in the Ideas Hub. Mail Block:  Question from Nick Tate - Do you guys think Bit Coin derivatives are on the horizon? Would OX trade it? What would the call skew look like in something like that? Question from Inchon06 - Mr. Mass Destruction sure seems to be pretty happy selling puts. Hypocrisy or just taking advantage of "Buffett Premium"? Around the Block:  Whats left on the earnings horizon? Non-farms ahead. 

Option Block 311: VIX Drops the Ball Trading Block: An aggressive selloff today, S&P off 41 handles, NADAQ down 107 handles. VIX cash passes the 20-handle.  A weak start to February. Apple and GLD were the lone greens on the screen today. That makes for a happy Tosaw. The OIC announced today that 389,821,135 total options contracts traded in January, the seventh highest monthly volume ever. TTWO earnings after the bell. Odd Block: Collars go up in Two Harbors Investment Corp. (TWO), call buyers trade in Powershares DB Agriculture (DBA), and collars go up in Seattle Genentics, Inc. (SGEN) Xpress Block: A difficult day at the OX desk. All hands on deck after the opening selloff. Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw expands on his discussion on rolling down puts. Around the Block: More Earnings-palooza: CME 2-4 before; RDN 2-5 before; DIS & TWTR 2-5 after; GM, LNKD, and ZNGA 2-6; CBOE 2-7.

Option Block 308: The Scale from Smart to Cowboy Trading Block: An aggressive selloff sparked by weak existing home sales.  VIX cash back in the mid-teens. Microsoft after the bell. Netflix tearing it up. Odd Block: Call buyers in Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. (FBC), closing put buys in Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS), calls trade in YPF SA (ADR), calls buyers trade in AVG Technologies N.V. (AVG). Xpress Block: Alex gets on a soapbox to discuss tax reporting season and understanding how margin works. Netflix, Apple, and Herbalife. Mail Block: Question from John King: @Options Any comments on this style of option trading: smart, cowboy, or in between? Around the Block: Google, Chipotle, and Amazon: 1/30 after; Facebook 1/29 after; Ford 1/28 before; EA 1/28 after; Apple 1/27 after. 

Option Block 307: Idiotic Upside Calls Trading Block: A mild selloff early in the session. SPX weeklies up 98% in 2013. SPX & VIX options hopefully getting extended hours in 2014. Best buy taking in on the chin after a poor holiday season. Chuck E. Cheese is worth a billion! Odd Block: Calls trade in Eldorado Gold Corp. (EGO), calls trade in Amarin Corporation (AMRN), and calls trade in Insmed Incorporated (INSM) Xpress Block: Intel, Best Buy, and DR Horton were popular on the OX desk today. Mail Block: Keep those questions rolling in! Comment from Shane Hamilton: Only on the Option Block does Andrew toss around words like "bereft". #alteredstate Trading resolution from Britt Dowd: To finish building my foundation so that I can finally focus on trading options. Follow up from Richard: Regarding Jack's question, would these have to be put based front spreads since you'll ultimately have net uncovered short positions? I didn't think naked calls, as you would have in a front spread, would be eligible for use in retirement accounts? Thanks. Regard this question from Jack: I know you guys are not tax advisors, and so nothing you say can be taken as certain in any answer to this question.  I am a small time trader, and at the moment cannot afford a CPA with trading expertise in options to do my taxes.  So I am wondering if you can talk about the potential tax consequences of front spreads, especially when used as covered call replacement.  I've had good success with this strategy, and I would like to move it into my margin account this year, instead of just using it in the IRA to avoid the tax headache. Question from Luke Davis: Mark, in show 302, you said in answer to a listener question that using a six month or one year LEAP was good for a stock replacement strategy. Is there any reason you wouldn't go further out than that? For example, I am currently using this on Microsoft and Ford, but with the Jan 2016 ITM calls. Keep up the informative and entertaining shows, and happy New Year!

Option Block 306: Crazy Biotech Action Trading Block: A mild selloff on the street. Still not many bids for volatility, except in select names. VIX due for a spike according to the Wall Street Journal.  NPR calls options "The riskiest place to invest outside of penny stocks." Odd Block: Puts trade in Clovis Oncology Inc. (CLVS), puts trading in Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALNY), puts trade in Five Below Inc. (FIVE), and calls trade in China Finance Online Co. (JRJC). Xpress Block: A big mover on the OX desk was LULU. Stealth selloff in crude and the 10-year. Beam bought by Suntory today for $16B. Strategy Block: Tosaw discusses one small piece of trading spreads with 3-4 legs. Around the Block: Earnings around the block: BAC on 1/15; CITI, GS, and INTC on 1/16.

Option Block: Apple Kills Weekly Volatility Trading Block: Alcoa kicking it off after the bell. Apple crushes weekly premium by announcing a late earnings date - 1/27 as opposed to 1/23 like many expected. Many weekly options on the 1/24 cycle were cut in half. Odd Block: Review from Jan 7: Call buyers in Plug Power Inc. (PLUG), puts sellers trade in BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY), calls roll in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG), and calls roll in American Realty Capital Properties (ACRP). Xpress Block: Alex discusses premium harvesting for futures. Mail Block: What do you want to talk about? Tweet from Ziaur Rahman: what would be a good place to learn about options trading? I'm interested in learning the basics on options trading.stock/index futures, then also discount broker to trade. Question from Jack: I know you guys are not tax advisors, and so nothing you say can be taken as certain in any answer to this question.  I am a small time trader, and at the moment cannot afford a CPA with trading expertise in options to do my taxes.  So I am wondering if you can talk about the potential tax consequences of front spreads, especially when used as covered call replacements?  I've had good success with this strategy, and I would like to move it into my margin account this year, instead of just using it in the IRA to avoid the tax headache.  Question from Ian Getz: I'm curious how you find good options related articles on the general internet with such a generic word as "options"? Any tips? Articles on the general internet with such a generic word as "options"? Around the Block: Upcoming Earnings: CITI, GS, and INTC: 1/16, BAC 1/15.

Option Block 302: Looking Forward, Looking Back Trading Block Predictions for 2014: Mark - I wish they could finally get the Minis right. Hopefully someone wiIl figure out how to aggregate spread flow across exchanges to improve spread execution, less exchanges, less fixation by retail on VIX/ETFs and more migration to futures/futures options.  Andrew - I like a VIX low print prediction.  Where the market is going and the forgotten sectors in 2013 and how they will fair. Alex - Cash settled equity options (that would be pretty sweet). Hope the tax folks don't pass mandatory mark to market. No transaction tax. After hours trading. Five year Leaps. Adjust maker/taker to discourage HFT. An industry standard for delisting zero open interest series. Electronic trading for the options on the big SPU.Predictions: More consolidation - I was wrong about this occurring in 2013. Tosaw - Another big year for SPX. Waiting to see Apple earnings tomorrow before I can give a prediction for 2014. I would like to see more volume in the jumbo SPY. Feeling "straddlish" for 2014. Mark -  I predict more exchanges, something occurs to clip the wings of this rally in 2014, not much appreciable Vol in the marketplace until the next big government debate at end of Q1. Xpress Block: Twitter was the only big name on the desk. A very important discussion on the 1256 issues. Mail Block: Tell us what you want to hear. Question from Jason KruseRUSE @Jkruse81- @Options thought about a strategy of maxing out margin to buy a lot, then selling a deepish ITM covered call. Is there a name for that? -@Options or have you guys talked about something like that where I could get a better idea of risks? Comment from Gary Barisi - That much action because they got a $50M insurance claim!? Question from Jack @Itrumpdoom - Option Block Front or Back? I apologize if this question has been covered in the last year and I missed it, in dealing with ratio vertical spreads, will you please explain what makes a front spread front, and a back spread back? Thanks

Option Block 295: Saving Yourself Some Headaches Trading Block: Is there any vol on the horizon? Amazon drones - watch your head! Black Friday a resounding meh, Cyber Monday still a question mark. The Tosaw update: GLD, SLV, APPL, etc. Odd Block: IB Options Brief: Best Buy Co. (BBY), calls trade in Intel Inc. (INTC), combos trade in Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (SFM), calls trade in Forest Labs Inc. (FRX), rolling puts in Avon Products, Inc. (AVP). Mail Block: Question from Mountain Man Tim - This question is for Uncle Mike. How do you typically determine the put level that you purchase on a stock? For example, you have mentioned being long the 460 put in Apple. How do you determine the put level that you/your client uses as a hedge? Question from Jon Jones - What is the ASPs take on Twitter? Long calls? Long puts? Other? Around the Block: What could possibly bring back activity to the market? Non-farms coming up. Farewell Bernanke!

Option Block 289: What a Twit! Trading Block: November 14 is official day Twitter goes public. CBOE earnings on Friday, CME before the open - both resounding "mehs." Apple actually closes around where it started. Blackberry taking it on the chin. Again. Odd Block: Calls trade in Berry Petroleum Co. (BRY), calls trade in Applied Micro Circuits Corp. (AMCC), calls trade in Marin Software Inc. (MRIN), and calls trade in ValueVision Media Inc. (VVTV). Xpress Block: Cue the game show music for yet another edition of "The Trading Patterns Game." Listener Mail:  Comments and questions from our audience. Comment from Options Curator - Just BTO an $AAPL Feb14 515 Call at $31.20. Let see how #ChristmasHoliday plays out. @Options #options #trading #investing Question from BillyMo @b1llmoo - 2nd question. Why does SPY and its options not trade the same hours as /ES and their options? Seems like it exchanges would love it.  Around the Block: Tesla, Groupon and Qualcomm earnings this week. TSLA is very important for OX clientele.

Option Block 287: Trading Patterns Trading Block: A mild rally on the street. Everyone is still playing the wait and see game after hours today with Apple. Interview Block: Guest: Mark Greenstein, CTA with Orchard Grove joins the gang as they discuss metals, rates, as well as the VIX products. Xpress Block: It is time once again for everyone's favorite "The Trading Patterns" game! Around the Block: Still more earnings around the bend. Apple - 10/28, EA Games - 10/29, General Motors - 10/30, LinkedIn - 10/29, Facebook - 10/30, Marriott - 10/30, Take Two - 10/29 & Nokia - 10/29.

Option Block 282: A Whole New Kind of Stupid   Trading Block: There was a mild selloff on the street today. VIX cash continues to creep north, as the shutdown continues. Did VIX call sellers get out in time? Potbelly to join the ranks of high-flying IPOs? Tesla gain back all of the "fire losses". Odd Block: Calls trade in eBay Inc. (EBAY), calls trade in Dex Media Inc. (DXM), and puts trade in Miller Energy Resources Inc. (MILL) Xpress Block: A lot of Washington, rates and the dollar. Strategy Block: Given the current increase in VIX, how can gamma play a role in an out-of-the-money credit spread? Listener Mail: Question from Destin - I know you guys have discussed the optimal collar construction in the past. How do you guys decided between that construction vs. a more traditional zero-cost construction? Around the Block: Shutdown...Shutdown...Shutdown

Option Block 280: Pre-Shutdown Put Bonanza Trading Block: Shutdown fears hanging over the market. Vol surging back into the marketplace, but Bloomberg says realized vol is nonexistent.  Odd Block: Calls trade in Northstar Reality Finance Corp. (NRF), calls trade in YPF SA (YPF), and puts trade in Intrexon Corp (XON) Xpress Block: How has the potential of a shutdown affected OX customers? More trading patterns! Strategy Block: A risk management and annuities rant.  Around the Block: The big deadline approaches.

Option Block 279: OTM Fly Breakdown Trading Block: There was a mild rally today. All Facebook all day at OX. Odd Block: Calls trade in Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR), puts trade in iShares MSCI Australia Index (EWA), calls trade in Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (HTZ), and risk reversal trades in St. Jude Medical (STJ). Xpress Block: Biotech, mobile, and hedging activity pouring in. What are the GLD traders trading?  Let's take a look: 1-SPY, 2-SLV, 3-APPL, 4-FB, 5-DUST (daily gold miners bear 3X ETF), 6- JCP, 7- USO, 8- GDX (market vectors gold miners), 9 - GE, 10 – TSLA.  What about SLV? 1-SDS, 2- GDX, 3-USO, 4-VXX, 5-SSO, 6-FB, 7-TZA, 8-SCO, 9-TNA, 10-AAPL. Mail Block: What do you want to know? ·         Question from Nocturne: trying to understand OTM butterflies. What's a use case for an OTM fly vs. a simple vertical or ratio? Very confused. ·         Question from “Joe”: I haven't been trading options for very long so forgive me if I'm out of line. I've been listening to your show for the past six months and find it very informative. But I also wonder if many of the concepts you discuss are simply over the heads of the typical retail trader such as gamma, vega, implied volatility, etc. I know I'm frequently confused by some of these topics. Does retail really need to know all of this stuff or is a more straightforward approach (like if you sell this option, your max loss is x, your max gain is y, you have z days until your trade expires, etc.) a better way to reach the masses without scaring them or putting them off options? I hope you read my question but, if you do, to avoid embarrassment please just refer to me as “Joe”. Around the Block: Debt debate and earnings approaching  

Option Block 277: Metal Volapalooza Trading Block: A mild day on the street. Watch out! SPY ex-dividend today. Metals hosting a "Volapalooza" Odd Block:  Calls Trade in Zynga Inc. (ZNGA), calls trade in Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (EGLE), put buyers in Sealed Air Corp (SEE), and calls trade in Meritor Inc. (MTOR).  Xpress Block:  Tesla is still on a tear. CME metal trading very active. Listener Mail: You have the questions, we have the answers. Question from Buckeye6 - I am a new listener catching up on the archives. On an earlier episode, Mark mentioned the OX platform highlights which options qualify for reduced commissions to close. But I do not see what he is talking about. Where do I find this information? Thank you. Question for the Option Block from Luke: "Uncle Mike" has suggested that if one has a spread that has gone in the money, the short leg can be rolled up by at least one strike, with a goal of breakeven or near breakeven. He suggested waiting until the day before expiration, but I have an ITM spread, so thought I would look at it one day early. I have a bear call spread on SPY: Short Sep 170 (sold at $0.59), long Sep 172 (bought at $0.255), when SPY was at about $165. It never reached my 70% profit target, before going ITM this week. With the no taper announcement, SPY has gone to $173.03. Today (Wednesday before expiration) I could buy the 170 call for $3.07, and sell the 172 for $1.30, which looks very far from breakeven, unless I greatly misunderstood what he meant by breakeven in this context. Actually, the spread on the 170 call is 3.03-3.11, but still. Even if these calls went to 0 extrinsic, how could I ever get breakeven here? Or did I just get a really really bad price on my initial short fill? For completeness, the long 172 call is trading for about $0.94. Thank you for a great show! Around the Block: AKA taper watch

Option Block 275:  Predictably CrappyTrading Block: A mild selloff, but gold and silver took it on the chin.  AAPL down 30 handles in a dismal post iPhone announcement.  Ichan liked it at $500, he'll love it at $470. Lulu earnings before the open...sheer pants knock the stock down 5%, well off the highs of $82 from earlier this year.Odd Block:  Puts trade in Mechel OAO (MTL), calls trade in Wendy's Co. (WEN), and calls trade in Vera Bradley Inc. (VRA). Alex discloses that he knows way too much about women's retail.Xpress Block: Lots of questions coming in about AAPL, LULU, and SPX.Mail Block:  Question from Contrails.Hi Mark, I really like your talk shows and loving all the humor. Thank you for educating and entertaining me all those night shifts that you guys keep me in company. I have one burning question for you regarding an observation I noticed today as I was following the SPY and SPY weekly options. First off, I am a noober. But i could not find an explanation for what I saw for those weeklys that are expiring in 4 days. So what happened is that the ATM and ITM calls were not following the price of the SPY. So as SPY was fluctuating up and down, the calls mentioned above were higher in price around 1030 AM EST compared with calls corresponding to same SPY price later during the day around 1300. The call price difference was about 15% which is a lot for home gamer like me. Why is that??? By the way I did not check the Puts, I'll look at it later today… Do the weeklys lose time value Theta as the hours go by during trading day? Or is this something related to the all mysterious Vega? But I plotted the greeks of those options on TOS and they were all flat lines, Confusing!!! Please enlighten me more Please don't mention my real name on the podcast. You can call me "Contrails" And please let me know if you get a chance the title of the podcast you'll answer my burning question. Your fan, ContrailsAround the Block:  Looking at gold, silver, and oil in light of next week's FOMC meeting. VIX expiration next week.

Option Block 274: More Buyers than Sellers   Trading Block: All is right with the world again! Most indices up over 1% today after Chinese export data beats expectations. Prepping for the Apple event. How big could this still be? Groupon continues to rally - announced acquisition of travel app Blink. CITI closing CBOT desks. Odd Block: Call spreads trade in SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB), puts trade in CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), calls trade in Smithfield Foods Inc. (SFD), puts trade in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (EEM). Xpress Block: Lulu and Apple, as well as many other hot names on the OX desk. Mail Block: Question from Berger Meister - Just to clarify from your last show - A back spread is net long units and front spread is a traditional ratio? Correct? Why such dumb names? Question from N. Sanchez - I have heard a lot about volatility smiles, but from listening to your show, it sounds like the volatility skew actually has a downward slope to it. Does the volatility smile still exist or is it limited to odd circumstances such as the "Apple Zealots" that you have discusses on the show previously. Thank you so much for this tremendously informative program.   Around the Block: LULU earnings 9/12.

Option Block 272: Presidential Rope-A-Dope, or Bags of Money Trading Block:  Labor Day weekend is nearly upon us. VIX cash above the 16-handle. Jobless claims are down, as expected.   HFT and algos appear to have had a negligible impact on the vol of major futures contracts. Odd Block:  Puts trade in Garmin ltd. (GRMN) Calls buyers in Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. (TSM). Mail Block:  Question from Mike - I have been watching Dollar General for a while. What do you mean by the seller could be using an up-tick in volatility going into earnings for a better sale? Question from Tim C. - Is it true if I sell a time spread that OX will margin me as if I am naked short the longer-term option? If so I do not understand that? Why wouldn't they treat it like a spread until the nearer-term option expires? Question from Avega - Why would I ever trade a back spread? Why waste money on a reverse ratio - say 3x2. Then I am just net long one contract - can I just save money and buy the one? Around the Block: Watch out for the weekend risk! Perhaps scoop some cheap premium on friday. Syrian developments?

Option Block 271: Sabre Rattling Rattles Markets Trading Block: A mild rally on the street until Kerry started sabre rattling in Washington, sending the markets down. NASDAQ, Goldman and others still facing heat over their tech meltdowns last week. BATS and Direct Edge merging. TABB Group predicts options commissions to shrink of the next few years.  Commodity rundown with Mike Tosaw. Odd Block: Large buy writes go up in Facebook Inc. (FB), and puts trade in ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury ETF (TBF). Xpress Block: Tesla, Biotechs, and Facebook! Mail Block: Question from bitcoinbravo: Any thoughts on bitcoin -- especially as the flows continue into this emerging digital currency and we see with futures and derivatives market develop -- currently there is a lot of arbitrage opportunities between the various exchanges Question from Charles P.: I am an employee of a very large (and widely held) technology firm. As you might expect, a substantial amount of my net worth is tied up in the stock of my employer. However, I am expressly forbidden from trading any derivatives in my employers stock even for hedging purposes. So my question to you is - how do I hedge myself in this scenario? Around the Block: Glued to the news of Syria. Non-farms next week.

Option Block 268: Commodity Sea of Green Trading Block: A broad selloff across the board today.  Inflation fears spook the Fed and the market.  Cisco off 7%, looking at layoffs. Walmart off 3%.  A sea of green in the commodities. Record day in the VIX - only 133 contracts short of 1 million. Odd Block: Review from 7/29 - very well-timed paper in American Eagle Outfitters (AEO). calls trade in SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB), and combos trade in Microsoft Inc. (MSFT). Xpress Block: Single leg WalkLimit goes live! Mail Block: Website comment from nrlbuild - Enjoyed your show as usual, always fun to have Mr. Sebastian on the air! I feel the need to stick up for Motley Fool a little. I have been a member since around 2000...and been in two of their options services since 2008. They actually have some good stuff with respect to options...I think even you tough veterans would agree if you understood. Unfortunately, the Fool universe is so large and varied, not unlike Seeking Alpha, that there is often as much junk as there is quality...it really depends upon which specific Fool service one subscribes. I have never understood why they don't control that more carefully? Anyway, if it wasn't for them I never would have come to options in the first place…and now I've found you guys! ;) Carry on! Ned Around the Block: More earnings? HPQ - 8/21. Keeping an eye on the 10-year.

Option Block 267: Betting Against Yourself Trading Block: A relatively flat day on the street. A big day for Silver and Apple –both  up 3%. It was a good day for Tosaw!  Blackberry exploring strategic options with the  stock up 11%. Tesla finally sells off. Odd Block: Review from 7/1 - Air Products and Chemical (APD), calls trade in Sanchez Energy Corp. (SN), combos trade in Rockwell Medical Inc. (RMTI), call spreads trade in Micron Technology, Inc.(MU). Mail Block: Question from D. Adams - What is the best way to express a long-term bullish position using options? Question from Terry Russ, Scottsdale, AZ - Can you guys run down the difference between an iron condor and an iron butterfly? When would I want to use one vs the other? Thanks for this great show. Around the Block: Earnings are still happening. Cisco  on 8/14, and Cosi on 8/15.

Option Block 265: The Innovator Trading Block: Giving back some of the gains on the street today. A surprising pop in Blackberry. Apple touching near-term highs.  ALSO GLD, SLV, ETC Odd Block: Odd Block Review: Dendreon Corp. (DNDN), put spreads trade in DeVry Inc. (DV), put spreads trade in The Chubb Corp. (CB), calls trade in China Automotive Systems, Inc. (CAAS), and call spread roll in Deckers Outdoor Corp (DECK). Xpress Block: Tesla very active with earnings coming up. CBOE and Alcatel-Lucent active as well. Strategy Block: The credit spread with benefits. Around the Block: Upcoming Earnings: Groupon - 8/7, Tesla - 8/7, Disney - 8/6.

Option Block 264: Swimming in a Sea of Green Trading Block: A sea of green across the board. S&P crosses 1700 mark on strong manufacturing data. Unemployment claims at a 5.5 year low. Activision and LinkedIn earnings after the bell. CME reports a 27% rise in quarterly profits, still down 4%. Commodity rundown: metals, nat gas, coffee, etc.  It's number day again - The Options Industry Council (OIC) announced today that total options contracts traded in July was up 5.81%. Average daily volume for the month was up 1.00%. Year-to-date volume up 1.93%. Equity options volume up 4.39%. Average daily volume for equity options in July slightly off of last year's contracts by 0.35%. Year-to-date equity options volume up only 0.16%. Odd Block: Calls trade in SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), calls trade in Nvidia Corporation (NVDA), puts trade in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (EEM), and fly trades in Oil States International (OIS). Xpress Block: A very busy, non-expiration day at OX. Mail Block: We have such curious listeners! Question from MMax - Can you give us an update on mini-options? Question from George Roop, Nashville, TN - Can you explain why the hosts take such a dim view of USO? It's really one of the few viable ways for retail to make longer-term bullish bets on oil. Around the Block: Non-farms in the crosshairs. CBOE earnigns tomorrow before the open. Groupon 8/7, Disney 8/6, Nvidea 8/8, Tesla 8/7 after.

Option Block 263: The Wasted Year Trading Block: A mild selloff across the board. GLD sells off fractionally on the day. ISE Gemini set to launch Aug 5. CBOE announces new VIX trading hours. Odd Block: Pre-earnings run in Activision Blizzard Inc. (ATVI), stock replacement in Alcatel Lucent SA (ALU), interesting pre-earnings play in American Eagle (AEO), and was there a hedge in iShares MSCI Japan Index (EWJ)? Odd Block Review: Looking back to 6/27: Goodrich Petroleum Corp. (GDP) - stock trading $12.90, buying 6,000 Aug 15 calls for $.45. Stock now trading $17.50, calls worth $2.96 - a $2.50 profit = $1.5M. Still 10K open on strike - looks like he hasn't closed these yet. Xpress Block: "Big data week." It's a wait and see situation.  Nothing can derail the Tesla train. Around the Block: A full calendar of economics this week. Non-farms Friday.

Option Block 262: Cramer Loves It Trading Block: Zynga earnings after the close. Someone paid 17% for a one-month straddle! Amazon earnings are also after the close. Facebook! Facebook! Facebook!  Commodity rundown - An overview of recent action in futures/futures options. Options "insiders" come forward. Odd Block: Put spreads trade in Crocs, Inc (CROX), and calls trade in Denderon Corp. (DNDN). Xpress Block: Questions, anyone? Question from Tom P.  Are we ever going to see Walk-Limit on single leg trades? I'm a teacher so I can't always be there to close out my trades on the open. This is particularly difficult around earnings season. I may miss the only chance to sell my option for a decent price on the open because I'm away from my screens. I would love to be able to enter a target sale price for my options (long call, etc.) and then have OX walk the price down automatically until it hits the actual trading price. This would save busy people like me a lot of time, and potentially a lot of lost profits. Around the Block: An update on AMZN and ZNGA. TTWO coming up on 7/30.

Option Block 261: NFLX Strangles Children Trading Block: Netflix earnings are after the bell. Could it be the return of the widow-maker? McDonald's down 3%. It's never a good sign for the economy when McD can't make money. A follow-up on our good discussion on after-hours options trading from our last show.  Is 3pm still reasonable? Odd Block: Call ratios trade in Skechers USA Inc. (SKX), calls trade in Verisign Inc. (VRSN), puts sold on the World Acceptance Corp. (WRLD), and call sellers in General Growth Properties (GGP). Xpress Block: Metals and oil predominately featured on the desk today. Mail Block: The all stars channel their inner therapists, and Obi Wan Question from Doc Robbins. I just sold NFLX 240 260/280 July week 4 iron fly at $18 with stock at 259. Am I crazy? Longo would be proud. Question from Charles N. I'm looking at Ford July W 16.5-17.5 strangle for $.25. How's that for free gamma pre-earnings? Question from Mr_Work. Am I crazy, or is $.21 for Zynga July weekly 3.5 puts a lousy deal Question from George Winters. Microsoft July 35-34 put 1x2 for $.10 before earnings: winner or waste of money? Question from Joe Rigg. I tried to write the Blackberry weekly 9 put with OX, but the system kicked it out and said BBRY was now on increased margin. Why is that? How is this decided? Is it a decision by the broker or an industry wide decision? How is the new margin level determined? Help me Viceroy, you're my only hope! Around the Block: Earnings, Earnings, Earnings! Ford 7/24 before, Facebook 7/24 after, Electronic Arts 7/23 after, Amazon 7/25 after, Apple - 7/23, United Airlines 7/25 before, Zynga 7/24 after.

Option Block 260: Doing the Earnings Straddle Dance Trading Block: Earnings-Palooza: Google, Microsoft and more after the bell. Odd Block: Combos trade in Rite Aid Corp (RAD), paper buying calls in Covanta Holding Corp. (CVA), and puts trade in YY Inc. (YY). Xpress Block: This should be a very interesting expiration coming up. A little bit of everything is coming across the desk. Google and Microsoft both missed. Strategy Block: Mr. Tosaw discusses straddles as this week's strategy. Around the Block: One last check-in on Google and Microsoft. Upcoming earnings: Apple – 7/23, Zynga - 7/24, and Amazon - 7/25.

Option Block 259: Reverse Splits & Twinkies The all-stars are joined by guest co-host Henry Schwartz, the Founder of Trade Alert. Trading Block: A modest, broad rally on the street. Earnings season is in full swing. Pre-deal call in LEAP from Friday. Earnings action in Goldman-Sachs. CITI earnings before the open. Bloomberg beating the drum on VIX puts. Retail sales sluggish, up less than expected in June. Odd Block: Combos trade in United Online, Inc. (UNTD) Xpress Block: The Twinkie is back. A slow day as everyone is keeping their powder dry for the big earnings later this week. Around the Block: Earnings: IBM, Intel and Bank of America - 7/17; Microsoft, Nokia, Google and Chipotle - 7/18.

Option Block 258: Highly Accommodative Policy Trading Block: Uncle Ben's comments about "highly accommodative policy" spark yet another rally. It's going to be all about the earnings next week. It has been "rally ho" in the metals. Odd Block: Calls trade in Colfax Corp (CFX), puts trade in Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (APL), calls trade in WisdomTree Investments Inc (WETF), and calls trade in Whiting USA Trust (WHX). Xpress Block: It's a race to 1,000 between Priceline and Google. Green lights all over the screen today. Listener Mail: Gamma effect Question from Neal Rivers - You guys have discussed the "gamma effect" before on this program. My question is - how far before an earnings announcement does this typically kick in? Can I buy some gamma two or three weeks before the announcement and expect to pay no decay? Or is it more like two or three days? Around the Block: JP Morgan and Wells Fargo & Co. both have earnings on Friday.  Goldman Sachs - 7/16; Microsoft, Nokia, Google, Chipotle - 7/18; and IBM, Intel, Bank of America 7/17.

Option Block 257: Deep Dive into Gold, Silver and Oil Interview Block: Today's guest is Matthew Bradbard, futures broker from RCM Asset Management.  Hel discusses recent trends in metals and energies with the Option Block gang. Trading Block: Another broad, but mild rally on the street. Zynga rallies hard on the news of new CEO:  snatching a dubious hire from Microsoft. INTC down 4% off analyst downgrades. Odd Block: Calls trade in Zynga Inc. (ZNGA) and call spreads trade in Elan Corp. (ELN). Around the Block: Alcoa earnings, which means this is the start of earnings season!

Options Insider Radio: Interview with OX CEO Joe Vietri In this episode Mark is joined by Joe Vietri, the CEO of OptionsXpress. They discuss: The progress of the Schwab-OptionsXpress integration The migration of the OX capabilities to Schwab clients Options for use by Schwab RIAs Mini options: the hype, the commissions, the future The changing landscape in the brokerage arena And more…  

Option Block 255: Balloon is Over-squeezed   Trading Block: Rally Ho! Again. Vol crushed, but not as aggressively as expected. Are the pronouncements of the death of Apple's vol premature?  Prosecutors finally get around to charging Corzine in MF Global debacle. 30-year mortgage rate at 4.46%. Odd Block: Calls trade in Statoil ASA (STO), Goodrich Petroleum Corp (GDP), and New York Community Bancorp (NYCB). Xpress Block: Alex discusses GDX, Newmont Mining (NEM), and other trade ideas from the Idea Hub. Around the Block: Blackberry earnings before the open.

Option Block 254: Unlearn What Does Not Work Trading Block: Futures, interest rates, bonds and the 10-year dominated trading today. It was an otherwise slow day for volatility. Interview Block: This week's guest is Nate Bluestein from Pivotal Trading Concepts. He discusses how Pivotal Trading Concepts was created and helps educate traders. Odd Block: Calls trade in Web MD (WBMD), and puts Trade in Gerdau S.A. (GGB). Xpress Block: It was a pretty quiet day at OX. Alex discusses VIX, CBOE and the 10-year. Around the Block: The 10-year could continue to determine what's happening in the market. Which way will China play out?

Option Block 252: The Dangers of Covered Straddles Trading Block: Market rallies ahead of the Fed, but lost steam in the late session. Gold selloff ahead of the Fed. Odd Block: Puts trade in PVR Partners, LP (PVR), calls trade in Insmed Incorp. (INSM), and puts trade in UltraShort Real Estate Proshares (SRS) Xpress Block: Netflix moves over $15, but otherwise, not a very exciting trading day Listener Mail: The floor belongs to the listeners. Question from Dalton Hicks - I've just discovered this show and I think it's fantastic. Thanks for all of your great material. I've learned quite a bit. I wanted to write in today to ask about the new strategy I've stumbled upon in my trading.  I used to be a covered call seller in individual equity options. But I've recently started thinking about kicking this up a notch by turning into a "covered straddle seller." This strategy has many benefits over a traditional covered call. I've never heard this approach discussed on this program (at least in the recent episodes that I've heard), so I'd like the host's take on this exciting new strategy. Around the Block: Waiting for Bernanke.

Option Block 251: Insider Trading, Options-Style Trading Block: Is the VIX going backwards? The rally has returned. Jobless claims fall by 12,000, sparking the rally.  An insider trading case involving options. “For the first time since its inception, high-frequency trading, the bogey machine of the markets, is in retreat.” VXX options hit record open interest. Exchanges finally subject to fines for misconduct. Odd Block: Unwinding in Dole Food Company, Inc. (DOLE), calls trade in Monster Worldwide Inc. (MMW), and spreads trade in Sangamo Biosciences Inc. (SGMO) Xpress Block: United Airlines showcased in the Idea Hub today. Updates on the Walk Limit. Mail Block: Keep those questions coming. Question from Jillian T. - Why is it so difficult to crack down on insider trading in options? Question from Doug K, Halifax, Nova Scotia - I've been long spy shares for much of the recent rally. Now I'm more than a little concerned. I've learned about collars through the great shows on this network. Do you think this is a good environment to consider a zero cost collar? Is a spy put/put spread a better option? Or would you recommend something else entirely? Thanks for all of your insight over the years. Question from T-Bill - Does OX defer commissions when I close out short options for pennies? Around the Block: Markets are thin for the summer. A lot more 1% movement days in our near future.

Option Block 250: Goldilocks Non-Farms Numbers Trading Block: It was a quiet day on the market. Non-farms announcement came out last Friday.  What are some trading ideas following a large event like this? Odd Block: Calls trade in Linhas Aereas Inteligent (GOL), puts trade in Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (CLDX), and put spreads trade in Southern Copper Co. (SCCO). Xpress Block: S&P changed the outlook on U.S. debt from negative to stable. How could this have an effect on the 10-year? Around the Block: What economic impact could the flood in Europe have on the market? Earnings are only five weeks away.

Option Block 249: Great Expectations   Trading Block: Another schizophrenic day on the street. McDonald's announces some 24-hr stores will serve breakfast after midnight. The Zynga apocalypse! A big move in Apple. Odd Block: Calls trade in Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SVNT), a collar unwinds in DOLE Food Company (DOLE), and call spreads trade in Tessera Technologies Inc. (TSRA). Xpress Block: What's new in the Idea Hub, weeklies, etc? Listener Mail: In which you, the listener, take over the program. Question from John King ‏@jking321: Have you read Schaeffer's theory that Friday selloff due to delta hedging by SPY put sellers? Around the Block: Non-Farms. Non-Farms. Non-Farms! It will be the biggest event on Friday.

Option Block 248: The Ice Is Always Melting Trading Block: It was a bit of a head scratcher today, as an infusion of end-of-day buying threw a wrench into the machine. Disappointing ISM numbers, putting a laser focus on the jobs numbers out Friday. Market share and volume day with overall total options volume up 3% in May. Odd Block: Very near-term bullish play in Iron Mountain Inc. (IRM), sizable spread trade in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ), and put spread trades in Corning Inc. (GLW). Xpress Block: Fanny Mae, Tesla, Zynga and the 10-year lighting up the tape. The Apple minis have finally gotten some traction. Strategy Block: In today's strategy block, Mike Tosaw discusses the use of margin and if it makes sense. Around the Block: Forget the earnings, the employment report is coming up, expect big volume.

Option Block 247: The Confidence Trade Trading Block: The rally continues with interest rates and bonds hot. Looking forward to the 10-year VIX from the CME. Tesla breaks 100. Will the hype never end? Ford breaks $16. Odd Block: Collars closes in Approach Resources Inc. (AREX), and big call purchase in T-Mobile USA (TMUS). Xpress Block: Alex discusses what's been lighting up the desk at OX and the Idea Hub. Listener Mail: What questions do you have for the all-stars? Question from Tom Finn: what does the option block all-star panel think of NYT's recent attack on options? Question from Bill Heter, Cape Cod, MA - what is the difference between a collar and a bearish risk reversal? Question from d_sub: have you guys ever experienced opportunities to buy verticals for even or a credit? Around the Block: Interest rates. Employment report next week.

Option Block 246: Jump on the Boat with the 10-Year Note Trading Block: CBOE/CME launches a new 10-year treasury VIX. It is the first volatility index based on U.S. government debt to be calculated and disseminated by CBOE. CBOE stock hits $40 on its 40th anniversary. CRM & MRVL earnings after the bell.TSLA - hard to short stock, bears turning to puts. MSFT - is there no love for the new Xbox One?  GME – could the new could Xbox wipe out the lucrative grey market for used games? GME is the leading liquidity provider. Vol is creeping back into Ford - stock had a nearly $.60 range today, up sharply over the past few aweeks. Odd Block: Calls trade in Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. (HALO), Ratio put spreads trade in Alerian MLP (AMLP), and combos trade in Warner Chilcott ltd (WCRX) Xpress Block: A lot of names, including the 10-year, lighting up the phones at OX. The June condor in the SPX, an example off of the Idea Hub. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses "nimbility" - the ability to be nimble. It's very important to be nimble when trading, and not get locked in a specific strategy. Around the Block: Holiday weekend. Don't forget to watch out for the weekend! Market should be very thin tomorrow.

Option Block 245: Golden Tickets & Oompa Loompas Trading Block: It was an unchanged day on the street with stocks hovering around record highs. Does this rally have legs, or are we poised for a collapse? There was a weird dip in SPX on Friday night due to APC. Jumbo SPX is a flop so far. Only 18 contracts have traded through the middle of last week.  Everyone is still refusing to list it. Odd Block:Calls trade in Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (NM), calls trade in Foster Wheeler Ltd (FWLT), and calls trade in Big Lots Inc. (BIG). Xpress Block: Alex talks some more about the Trading Patterns Tool from OX, and what its most active trades have been recently. Listener Mail: What do you want to know? Question from Douggie_L: Why all the fuss with Jumbo SPX? Why won't others trade it? Question from Montevecchio: I'm starting to learn about time spreads. Can you guys explain roll risk and how it can impact me? Around the Block: A holiday this upcoming weekend. Watch out for the theta gremlins creeping into your portfolio.

Option Block 244: Car Talk Trading Block: It was down day on the markets. A lot of political news came out of Syria late in the day. Could Tesla be Apple 2.0? Xpress Block: Alex talks about the OX feature "Trading Patterns," which lets you look at what underlyings people traded in the OX environment. Available to most OX customers. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses what we've been seeing in the market. Rallies in the market, staying long-term bullish but short-term cautious and collar strategies. Around the Block: Earnings coming out soon: DELL, JCP and HP. A bit more stability in interest rates. Watching Apple, of course.

Option Block 243: The Viceroy Trade Trading Block: Another unchanged day. Netflix up due in part to the return of Arrested Development. Take Two earnings after the bell. Zynga gets a big pop in the day. First live day of jumbo SPX on Friday.  ISE lost its Supreme Court lawsuit and refuses to list contract. Ironic? Odd Block: Calls trade in Zynga, Inc. (ZNGA), puts trade in VIX short-term Futures ETN (VXX), and puts trade in Solarcity Corp (SCTY). Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson discusses his thoughts on the big OX event this weekend. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw dispenses yet another legendary rant of the topic of annuities. He also talks about the ratio spread. Around the Block: Cisco earnings on 5/15, Cosi on 5/16 post 4/1 reverse stock split.

Option Block 239: Rally Ho! Interview Block: Today's guest is Erik Long from Quant Trade, a CTA who primarily day trades futures. His method of looking at the markets can be associated with any time frame and he has some interesting insight for our listeners. Trading Block: Rally Ho! Again. There was some serious tech love on the street with Google, Apple, Intel, and IBM up 2% or more today. Overall earnings season is still not living up to the hype. Odd Block: Calls roll in Health Net Inc. (HNT), puts trade in Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ), calls trade in Energy Transfer Equity LP (ETE), and there was a steady put seller in Northern Oil and Gas Inc. (NOG). Xpress Block: Herbal Life, Facebook, Apple, Google and IBM all kept traders at OX locked to their desks. Around the Block: Substantial juice levels going into earnings on the 1st.