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The markets are seeing red, and the "Flowmaster" Henry Schwartz is back to take the blame for another Thursday sell-off! Join Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and Henry Schwartz as they dissect a volatile session where the S&P 500 is testing key levels and the VIX is flirting with a 25 handle.

In this episode, the panel explores the unusual correlation of "risk-off" sentiment—where even gold and silver are being dumped alongside equities—and whether crypto is actually acting as the new flight-to-safety asset.

• The Trading Block: A deep dive into the VIX spike, the S&P's magnet-like attraction to the 6845 level, and a breakdown of February's record-breaking trading volume (1.32 billion contracts!).

• Sector Analysis: Why industrials (XLI) are leading the decline while energy (XLE) remains a lone green shoot.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity in StubHub (STUB) following a post-earnings puke, a predictable "jelly roll" in Hertz (HTZ), and a curious call buyer in Warner Music Group (WMG).

• Crypto vs. Metals: Analyzing the surprising resilience of Bitcoin earlier in the week versus the traditional flight to quality in gold.

• Mail Block: The panel reviews listener sentiment on cheap VIX puts and how long the current geopolitical conflict will impact market volatility.

Despite a weekend filled with geopolitical turmoil and the outbreak of open war in the Middle East, the markets opened Monday with a surprising amount of resilience. Join Mark Longo, "Uncle" Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi as they break down the "weekend risk" playbook and why the "fade the vol spike" strategy is winning the day.

In this episode, the panel discusses:

• The Trading Block: A look at the S&P, NASDAQ, and VIX. Why did the market go from red to green so quickly? Plus, a deep dive into the massive call activity in VIX and SPY.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Nokia (NOK) and the "luxury pawn shop" The RealReal (REAL). Is someone betting on a major tech resurgence?

• Strategy Block: Uncle Mike breaks down the nuances of Delta weighting with Covered Calls. Learn how to capture premium without capping all your upside.

• Around the Block: Predictions for the week ahead, including earnings to watch: Best Buy, Target, Costco, and the volatile ASKS Space Mobile.

Plus: A special "80s Trivia Challenge" featuring a heated debate over the greatest tag team of all time and breaking WWE Hall of Fame news!

The markets are seeing red this Thursday as the "Mag 10" takes a hit. On this episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo is joined by Henry Schwartz from Cboe and Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management to break down the carnage following NVIDIA's earnings—where even a stellar quarter wasn't enough to satisfy the bulls.

The team explores unusual activity in some unexpected names, including a "blast from the past" tech giant and a newcomer in the "Robot as a Service" space.

On the Docket:

• The Trading Block: NVIDIA's worst day in nearly a year. Henry Schwartz breaks down the VIX decomposition and S&P 500 skew, while Mike Tosaw looks at the "flight to safety" in Treasuries (TLT/IEF).

• The Odd Block: Why is there massive call paper in Blackberry (BB)? Plus, a look at the wild volume in Rich Tech Robotics (RRTX).

• Mail Block: The panel debates how to approach earnings season. Do you sell juice, buy juice, or avoid it altogether?

• Around the Block: What to watch for the rest of the week, from PPI data to macro geopolitical tensions in Iran.

The sea of green has officially evaporated. On this episode of The Option Block, the All-Star Panel breaks down a brutal Monday as markets leak oil and geopolitical risks shift from the Middle East to Mexico. From the "0DTE-ification" of the major indices to unusual moves in the real estate sector, we're breaking down all the action from the pits to the screen.

The Trading Block:

• Weekend Risk Realized: Market bloodletting in the S&P, Dow, and NASDAQ. Is this a "buy the dip" opportunity or the start of a volatility regime shift?

• VIX & Vol: Analyzing the VIX cash surge to 21.5 and the backwardation in the front-end term structure.

• Tech Churn: Why AI has become a "millstone" around the neck of the Mag Seven.

• Earnings Intel: Pricing the "Pizza Vol" for Domino's ($DPZ) and the drama in Himms ($HIMS).

The Odd Block:

• Compass ($COMP): A familiar face returns with a massive 16,000-contract put buy. Are they hedging or bracing for a real estate wreck?

• PayPal ($PYPL): Takeover rumors swirl as the stock gets a rare shot in the arm.

Strategy Block:

• Perfectionism is the Enemy: Uncle Mike breaks down why rigid adherence to strikes is impossible and how a JP Morgan ($JPM) covered call turned into a 4.5% "gift."

Around the Block:

• State of the Union Preview: Will Tuesday night's address spark a tariff-driven frenzy?

• Canadian Invasions: Why the US victory in hockey might have the Rock Lobster checking his northern border.

In this episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo, Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Kevin Nichols (Cboe Global Markets) to step into the arena. With the VIX flirting with the 21 level, the panel explores whether the bullish run is finally hitting a wall and if it's time to embrace the "dark side" of the markets.

On the Docket:

• The Trading Block: A look at the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000. Plus, why everyone—from the pros to the "amateurs"—is suddenly obsessed with Gold and Silver.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Figma (FIG) following earnings and a look at the massive flow in Newmont (NEM).

• The Mail Block: Mike Tosaw faces the heat from the Pro Chat: Will he ever buy SLV again, or is he waiting for the 30-handle?

• Around the Block: Predictions for Tesla (TSLA) as it gets squeezed between moving averages and what to watch for the rest of the week.

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The sea of green has finally evaporated. On this episode, the All-Star Panel breaks down a brutal day of red on the screen as the S&P 500 flirts with its yearly open. From the sudden VIX pop to the "0DTE-ification" of single stocks, we're breaking down all the action from the pits to the screen.

The Trading Block:

• Market Bloodletting: The S&P, Dow, and NASDAQ are all in the red. Is this a "Buy The Dip" opportunity or the start of a volatility regime shift?

• VIX Hits 20: Analyzing the spike in volatility and the VIX Decomposition—is the whole surface lifting, or are we just sliding down the skew?

• 0DTE Dominance: New data reveals that 50% of Tesla's (TSLA) volume is now Zero Days to Expiration. We discuss the impact of daily expirations on single-stock liquidity.

• Big Tech Carnage: Breaking down the moves in Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), and Nvidia (NVDA).

The Odd Block:

• Dollar General (DG): Unusual call activity in the "stealth banger" of the year.

• AES Corp (AES): Why traders are flocking to utility options amidst the AI power demand surge.

Around the Block:

• Earnings Intel: Pricing the moves for Coinbase (COIN) and Rivian (RIVN).

• Volatility Death Match 2.0: A preview of the upcoming battle between The Flowmaster Henry Schwartz and Scott Nations.

Contact the Panel:

• "Uncle" Mike Tosaw: St. Charles Wealth Management

• The "Flowmaster" Henry Schwartz: Cboe Options Institute

• Mark "The Voice of Options" Longo: The Options Insider

In this episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo, "Uncle" Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi dive into a wild week of market reversals, Super Bowl takeaways, and a legendary 80s trivia question that leads to some... interesting historical discussions.

The panel breaks down the shift in the AI narrative—from "unlimited upside" to "unlimited spending"—and what it means for the Mag Seven. Plus, they explore the unusual activity in cheap biotechs and the risks of trading wide markets where you might just get "punched in the face" by the spread.

• The 80s Trivia Challenge: A "Steelers choice" round featuring a badly aimed tomahawk and a controversial question about where Hitler wrote Mein Kampf.

• The Trading Block: S&P 500 resiliency, VIX hovering near a million contracts a day, and the defensive masterclass of the Super Bowl.

• AI & The Creative Destruction: Why the "Mag Seven" might be losing their grip as massive AI infrastructure spending begins to weigh on tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.

• Odd Block: Unusual activity in Mura Therapeutics (NMRA)—is it a bullish risk reversal or a market maker's trap?

• Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses the discipline of "having your cake and eating it too" with covered calls and when to exit for 97% profit.

• Around the Block: A look ahead at non-farm payrolls, the launch of single-name zero-day options (0DTE), and upcoming earnings for Coke, CVS, Robinhood, and the "dumpster fire" that is Ford.

Blood-Red Markets and the Death of DUOL

The markets are bleeding red, and volatility is finally taking center stage. In this episode of The Option Block, the panel breaks down a brutal session for the indices and the absolute carnage following Duolingo's (DUOL) latest move. From VIX spikes to institutional "Odd Block" flows, we're dissecting the anatomy of a sell-off.

On This Episode, Join:

• Mark Longo: Founder & CEO, The Options Insider Media Group

• Henry Schwartz: Vice President, Institutional Derivatives, Cboe Global Markets

• Mike Tosaw: Wealth Manager, St. Charles Wealth Management

The Docket:

• The Trading Block: A post-mortem on today's blood-red market. Henry provides the Cboe perspective on the VIX spike, while the team analyzes the breakdown in tech and why the "buy the dip" mentality is being tested.

• The Odd Block: Examining the "Death of DUOL." We break down the massive institutional put buying in Duolingo and the unusual activity that signaled this collapse before the floor fell out.

• Strategy Session: Defensive positioning 101. How to manage your long delta when the market turns, and the most cost-effective ways to price tail-risk hedges in the current environment.

• Mail Call: Listeners ask about the impact of high-volume sell-offs on spread pricing and how to handle challenged positions in a falling market.

The silver market just faced a massive "annihilation," and the Option Block panel is here to pick up the pieces. Join Mark Longo, Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi (Option Pit), and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) as they break down a wild start to February. From a 30% single-day drop in Silver (SLV) to unusual activity in "non-woven substrates," this episode covers the high-stakes world of volatility and metal meltdowns.

In this episode, the panel dives into:

• The Trading Block: A look at the market rally toward all-time highs despite the "metals apocalypse." The team discusses whether the silver squeeze is finally unwinding and what the new Fed Chair means for interest rate stabilization.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity in some truly unique names, including Magna Corp (MAGN)—a leader in the "sexy" world of substrates—and defensive put buying in Hercules Capital (HTGC).

• Strategy Block: Uncle Mike breaks down the power of diversification in covered call strategies. Learn why individual stock selection often yields better premiums than broad index ETFs like SPY.

• Around the Block: Predictions for the upcoming earnings gauntlet, featuring Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Disney, and the "AI bellwether" movement.

The markets are seeing red as a wild earnings week takes center stage. From the "Tale of Two Techs" (Microsoft vs. Meta) to a massive volatility spike, the All-Star Panel breaks down the trades, the trends, and the unusual activity lighting up the tape. Plus, we dive into the "other" Wolf and an Argentinian oil play.

• Mark Longo: CEO and Founder of the Options Insider Media Group.

• Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz: Vice President of Institutional Derivatives at Cboe Global Markets.

• "Uncle" Mike Tosaw: Wealth Manager at St. Charles Wealth Management.

The panel discusses a volatile Thursday session with the S&P 500 seeing a 100-handle range. While tech takes a hit, other sectors like energy and financials are showing resilience.

• The Tale of Two Ms: Comparing the diametrically opposite reactions to Meta (META) and Microsoft (MSFT) earnings.

  • META: Stock up ~10%; those who bought the 700-strike calls for $11 are seeing massive wins.

  • MSFT: Stock down ~12% (a $58 drop); the same call-buying strategy was a total wipeout.

• Tesla (TSLA) Tumbles: Down over 2% as the market reacts to a shift in focus toward robotics and AI over traditional EV growth.

• Small Cap Update: Henry Schwartz notes that while the Russell 2000 (IWM) is outperforming YTD (up 6%), historically, this "value over growth" rotation rarely sticks.

• VIX Volatility: VIX flirting with an 18 handle. Notable paper includes a massive 50,000 lot of the April 80 calls trading for $0.36.

The Flowmaster identifies massive directional bets in two very different names.

1. TeraWulf (WULF) A Bitcoin-related name seeing a $3 million directional bet.

• The Trade: Buyer of 36,000 Feb 16 Calls (Average price: $0.82).

• Context: This is a massive sweep that creates the largest regular listed position in the name, likely betting on M&A rumors or a Bitcoin rebound.

2. YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF) An Argentinian energy ADR seeing unusual size.

• The Trade: Buyer of 9,999 April 43 Calls.

• The "Conspiracy": Why 9,999 instead of 10,000? Henry suggests it might be to dodge block scanners set for five-digit minimums.

• Question of the Week: How are you trading this earnings week?

  • Current Results: 44% are selling premium to "live the dream," while the rest are split between buying "juice," trading 0DTE, or staying on the sidelines.

• VIX Poll: 75% of listeners would rather sell the April 80 calls for $0.36 than buy them.

• Apple (AAPL) Earnings: Reporting after the bell. The market is pricing in a 4% move—roughly double its historical average.

• Sector Rotations: Watching if the energy (XLE) and industrial (CAT) strength can offset the tech drag.

• Silver (SLV): Uncle Mike highlights silver's insane run, outperforming the S&P by 8x last year and up 60% this year.

Skeletor is lurking, the metals are screaming, and the earnings gauntlet has begun!

In episode 1439 of The Option Block, Mark Longo and the All-Star panel—including "Uncle" Mike Tosaw and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi—take a trip back to the 1980s. With the massive trailer launch for the new Masters of the Universe film, the team kicks things off with some MOTU trivia before breaking down a market that is getting "weird, wild, and funk-delicious."

• The Trading Block: A look at the "insane" run in Gold ($5k/oz!) and Silver ($100+/oz). Is it a meme, or is inflation finally catching up? Plus, a preview of the "Big Tech" earnings week featuring Meta, Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Papa John's (PZZA) puts, a massive upside play in Aero Copper Corp (ERO), and the "Trump Bump" fade in newcomer USA Rare Earth (USAR).

• The Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses the vital importance of choosing the right benchmarks (BXY, CLL, AGG) to measure your options performance accurately.

• Around the Block: The team debates whether the "Zero Day" index options will cannibalize the market and what to expect from the looming Apple and Tesla earnings prints.

• Indices: SPY, IWM, VIX (hovering at 16), VVIX (100)

• Equities: NVDA, TSLA, AAPL, INTC, MSFT, MAT, USAR

• Metals: GLD, SLV (up 12% in a single day)

The Option Block goes on the road! This week, Mark Longo is coming to you live from the Securities Traders Association (STA) 100th Anniversary event in Chicago. Joined in person by Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz, the team breaks down the biggest highlights from the conference and the massive volatility shifts hitting the equity markets.

• Live from the Floor: Mark and Henry discuss the 100-year legacy of the STA and the evolution of the options industry from the birth of the CBOE in 1973 to today's high-volume digital environment.

• The State of the Industry: Henry shares key takeaways from his panel, including the explosion of volume in Single Stock, ETF, and Index options. Plus, a look at how Robinhood has reshaped retail education and reduced friction for a new generation of traders.

• Volume Predictions for 2026: With the market currently averaging 66-67 million contracts a day, are we on track for a record-shattering 17 billion contracts this year?

• Monday & Wednesday Expirations: It's a done deal! The team discusses the upcoming listing of Monday and Wednesday daily expirations for major names like Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple, and what this means for after-hours risk management.

• The "Greenland Trade": Navigating a week where the market swung 100 handles down and 100 handles back up on geopolitical volatility.

• The Odd Block: The Flowmaster provides an update on ARDX and CWEN, plus a deep dive into the Mag 10 (Magnificent 10 Index) where put volume is currently lighting up the tape at record levels.

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This episode of The Option Block is brought to you by Cboe Global Markets. To learn more about the suite of S&P 500 Index Options (SPX) and Mini S&P 500 (XSP) options, visit https:// cboe.com/spx

The markets are showing a splash of green as we break down a wild week in trading with The Flowmaster Henry Schwartz (Cboe Global Markets) and Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management). From the unprecedented 20% weekly surge in Silver to the aggressive rotation out of Mag 7 tech and into Biotechs and Small Caps, this episode covers the critical moves every options trader needs to know. Plus, we look ahead to a heavy earnings week and reveal the panel's official 2026 VIX Crystal Ball predictions.

The Trading Block: The "Meme-ification" of Silver

• The Silver Surge: Why Uncle Mike thinks Silver has officially entered "meme stock" territory after a staggering 20% move in one week.

• Market Rotation: Is the Mag 7 reign over? We discuss the rotation into the Russell 2000 (IWM) and the energy sector.

• Volatility Check: VIX comes back to earth toward the 15 handle, but the VVX remains "frothy" at 98.

The Odd Block: Unusual Activity in Small-Cap Tech and Bio

• Ardelyx (ARDX): Aggressive call buying in this biotech after a legal dismissal. Is there a clinical catalyst on the horizon?

• T1 Energy (TE): A massive sweep in the February 10 calls. Why Henry is keeping a "steely gaze" on alternative energy.

• Clearway Energy (CWEN): Unusual March 40 call buyers as the clean energy sector sees a resurgence.

The Mail Block: The 2026 VIX Crystal Ball

• The panel places their official bets on where the VIX will close on December 31st, 2026.

Around the Block: Earnings & Geopolitics

• Earnings Watch: Initial results from Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, and Taiwan Semi (TSM).

• Looking Ahead: Previewing moves for Netflix (NFLX), United Airlines (UAL), Intel (INTC), and Charles Schwab (SCHW).

• The Global Picture: Keeping an eye on Venezuela, Iran, and the upcoming STA Conference in Chicago.

Kick off the second full trading week of 2026 with Mark Longo (The Options Insider Media Group) and Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) as they navigate a market that seemingly "doesn't give an F" about geopolitical turmoil. From potential military interventions to the Fed chair vs. the President, the panel breaks down why the S&P 500 continues to climb a wall of worry while the VIX remains suppressed.

In this episode, we break down:

• The Trading Block: A look at the "Mad New Year" so far. Why is the VIX ignoring the headlines? Plus, a deep dive into the massive volume in Tesla ($TSLA), Nvidia ($NVDA), and the return of the Feb 15 VIX puts.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity in newcomers Standard Lithium ($SLI) and Amprius Technologies ($AMPX). Is someone getting "AMP'd" up for a breakout?

• Smurfette Returns: We revisit the corrugated packaging play Smurfit WestRock ($SMURF). Is the Feb 50 call a smart overwrite or a speculative gamble ahead of earnings?

• Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses the current bond environment and why it might finally be time to look at covered calls on $IEF or $TLT for extra yield.

• Around the Block: What to expect from the official kickoff of earnings season with the big banks (JPM, WFC, BAC) reporting later this week.

The first Thursday of the new trading year is here, and the panel is back to break down a wild start to 2026. From record-breaking volume milestones to unusual activity in AI beauty tech and defense drones, the team dives deep into the forces shaping the market this week.

• The Trading Block: Mark Longo (The Options Insider), Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management), and the Flowmaster Henry Schwartz (Cboe) review a mixed start to the session. While the S&P 500 struggles for direction ahead of the jobs number, small caps (IWM) are off to the races—up 5% year-to-date.

• 2025 Year in Review: Henry Schwartz provides an exclusive data deep dive into the sixth straight record-breaking year for options.

  • Average Daily Volume (ADV): Nearly 61 million contracts.

  • The 15 Billionth Contract: Henry reveals he tracked down the exact moment the milestone occurred—a spread in CoreWeave on the day after Christmas.

  • Strike Proliferation: The industry has officially topped 2 million individual strikes available for trade.

• Odd Block: Things get weird with unusual activity in:

  • Caesars Entertainment (CZR): Heavy put volume and long-dated March 33 calls.

  • Oddity Tech (ODD): A massive $640k bet on April 50 calls for this AI-driven beauty company.

  • Vision-Wave (VWA): Bullish drone play with volume 16x the norm following geopolitical defense headlines.

• Mail Block: The team discusses how to track the growth of new retail accounts and why "buying the dip" continues to be a dominant, albeit debated, strategy.

• Around the Block: Predictions for the upcoming Supreme Court tariff decision, a preview of financial earnings (JPM, BAC, GS), and why the "Mag 10" equal-weighted index is the new one to watch.

The 2026 trading year is officially underway! Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi gather for the first full trading week of the year to break down a massive 2025 and look ahead to the new market landscape.

• The 2025 Trivia Champion Revealed: After a grueling year of 1980s Trivial Pursuit, we finally crown the winner of the 2025 Trivia Challenge. Who took home the title between Uncle Mike, The Rock Lobster, and previous guest Dan Passarelli?

• The Trading Block: A robust start to 2026! The team analyzes the S&P 500's push toward all-time highs, the sudden surge in Financials (XLF) and Energy (XLE), and why Big Tech (Apple and Nvidia) is showing some early-year weakness.

• Record-Breaking Volume: We dive into the final 2025 numbers from the OCC. With over 15.26 billion contracts traded last year, we discuss what this explosive growth means for retail traders.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity returns with a deep dive into Peloton (PTON) and a massive January 2027 call trade, plus some aggressive short-term upside speculation in Enovix Corp (ENVX).

• Strategy Block: Uncle Mike explains the "Time Non-Linear Time Decay Differential" and why calendar or diagonal spreads might be your best bet if you expect volatility to rise from these lows.

• Around the Block: Predictions for the year ahead, the impact of geopolitical headlines on the energy sector, and a look at the upcoming VIX expiration.

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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."

• 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.

• 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 .

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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.

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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 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.

• 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).

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 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 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).

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

• 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

Follow The Option Block for weekly options trading insights!

In this episode of the Option Block, the hosts bring you deep into the world of options markets, analyzing recent unusual trading activities and examining how these moves might play out. Mark Longo and co-hosts Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management and Andrew Giovinazzi from The Option Pit discuss significant movements in the VIX, SPY, and other major indices. They analyze specific stock activities, from Knight Swift Transportation Holdings to iRobot, and speculate on the future of these stocks. The show also offers strategic advice on hedging strategies and a glimpse into upcoming earnings reports. The episode wraps up with a focus on how current economic indicators, such as precious metals prices and bond market moves, impact the options market.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management

CO-HOST: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option Pit

In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics, including unusual activities in the options market, such as trades in JBS NV (a Brazilian meat processing company), B2Gold Corp, and Ecopetrol. Additionally, we discuss the market's current dynamics, particularly focusing on the recent rally in tech stocks and precious metals. The episode also features a lively segment of 80s trivia and ends with Uncle Mike Tosaw's annual Thanksgiving advice along with forward-looking market strategies.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

CO-HOST: Henry Schwartz, Cboe Global Markets

CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management

In this episode, the hosts tackle volatile market movements, significant options trades, and market strategies. The discussion spans from fresh options activity in under-the-radar stocks like Garrett Motion and Topgolf to the broader implications of major movements in indices and popular stocks such as Nvidia, Tesla, and Amazon. The hosts also explore the regulation and impact of sports betting on financial markets, the introduction of new indexes like the Mag 10, and predictions for market behavior heading toward 2026.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management

CO-HOST: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option Pit

In this episode, the panel discusses the current state of the options market. They also look at unusual options activity in CMC and QGEN. Uncle Mike Tosaw provides a Strategy Block focusing on the importance of responsible options trading and knowing when to exit a position. Market conditions, including significant whipsaw action in the S&P 500 and notable upcoming earnings reports from major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Target, are analyzed. The episode concludes with insights on what the hosts are watching in the market for the upcoming week.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

CO-HOST: Henry Schwartz, Cboe Global Markets

CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management

Topics discussed on this episode include unusual market activity in Bitdeer, Lucid, and RGTI and the impact of recent earnings reports on market movements. The episode also covers the new VIX decomposition tool from Cboe, listener questions, and strategies for trading in the current market environment. Additionally, the weekly poll focusing on precious metals like GLD and SLV reveals interesting perspectives from the audience. The show wraps up with a look at upcoming market events and strategies to watch.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

CO-HOST: Henry Schwartz, Cboe

CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management

This episode covers the impact of current market conditions, the continued rise in options trading volume, and specific case studies on individual stocks like Gap, Inc. and Aida Inc. Special attention is given to trading strategies, the influence of market events such as government shutdowns, and the role of zero-DTE options.

Inside the Block:

• The Big Tech/AI Metaphor: Why the surprising, explosive rally in tech reminds us of a famous, satirical Broadway flop.

• Shocking Moves: "Uncle" Mike Tosaw details why he has sold 95% of his long-held silver exposure—a truly historic moment!

• Odd Block: We break down the unusual order flow in a few newcomers, including high-flying biotech KNSA and semi-related AMKR.

• Earnings Blitz: A massive week ahead with Uber, Spotify, AMD, and more—plus, a look at the wild vol priced into HIMS and PLTR.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group

CO-HOST: Henry Schwartz, Cboe Global Markets

CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group

CO-HOST: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option  Pit

CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management

In this episode of The Option Block, host Mark Longo and his co-hosts discuss the current market rally and the impact of AI announcements, especially Qualcomm's recent surge. The team dives into unusual options activity, focusing on stocks like Huntsman Corp and the new Bitcoin treasury name, Strive Inc. They also analyze the role of volatility and discuss strategic adjustments made due to recent market conditions. The episode wraps up with a look at what to expect in the coming trading week, including key tech earnings and potential market movements.

• Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group
• Co-Host: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option Pit
• Co-Host: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management

This episode kicks off the broadcast week by diving into the financial markets' current state, despite an impending Federal Reserve announcement. The hosts, Mark Longo, "Uncle" Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi, analyze market movements, with a focus on single-name stocks, VIX, and unusual options activity. The show includes a lively 80s trivia challenge (that quickly veers into 1930s-50s Hollywood trivia), a discussion on the Federal Reserve's potential impact, and a breakdown of trading strategies and market trends. They also touch on the absurdities of the market, such as Elon Musk's stock purchases and the speculative nature of certain "meme stocks."

On this episode of The Option Block, Mark is joined by Henry Schwartz (Cboe) and Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) as they cover a day of significant market moves, with the S&P 500 hitting new all-time highs despite mixed economic data. The panel discusses the latest news from the Robinhood Summit, including new trading features. They dive into unusual options activity, particularly the explosive trading in meme stock Open, and analyze other notable trades in names like Vimeo, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, and Teck Resources. The show concludes with a look ahead at what to watch in the markets and a nod to the start of fantasy football season.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction

• [05:22] The Trading Block - Market Overview

• [09:00] The Robinhood Summit

• [16:45] Hot Option Activity

• [22:05] The Odd Block - Open (OPEN)

• [25:50] Odd Block - Vimeo (VMEO) & Recursion Pharma (RXRX)

• [28:40] Odd Block - Teck Resources (TECK)

• [31:05] The Mail Block

• [33:55] Around the Block

• [36:00] Closing Remarks 

This episode features a discussion on current market conditions and unusual options activity. The hosts, Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management), and Andrew Giovinazzi (The Option Pit), analyze the mixed performance of the major indices and the behavior of the VIX. They dive into a number of active stocks, including Alphabet (GOOGL) and Nvidia (NVDA), and touch on the bond and precious metals markets. In the Odd Block segment, they dissect peculiar options trades in Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) and the comically-named ETHZilla Corp (ETHZ). The show also includes an educational segment on managing "wash sales" when trading covered calls.

Time Stamps

• Beginning: Options Insider Radio Network Intro

• 00:03:00: 80s Trivia Challenge

• 00:10:00: The Trading Block - Market Analysis

• 00:30:00: The Odd Block - Unusual Options Activity (GLNG and ETHZ)

• 00:40:00: The Strategy Block - Wash Sale Discussion

• 00:46:00: Around the Block - Market Outlook

On this episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo is joined by Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe. They discuss the unexpected and muted reaction to Nvidia's earnings, the current state of the market, and the ideal trading conditions for investors. The panel also breaks down unusual options activity in a few unique single names and dives into a lively Mail Block discussion about the VIX and crypto derivatives.

(04:54) - The Trading Block

• The panel discusses the surprising lack of volatility following Nvidia's earnings, despite high expectations and a large straddle pricing.

• The S&P 500 is up over 10% year-to-date, but the market feels subdued with low volatility and a steady, upward "trudge". Uncle Mike notes this is his "ideal market": boring and making new all-time highs.

• Technology and energy are the only sectors showing significant movement, with many others "taking the day off."

• The VIX is "hunching" at 14.25, with respectable options volume. SPY and SPX also have decent, though not record-breaking, paper on the tape.

• The hosts review the most active single names, including Snowflake's (SNOW) earnings pop, Retti (RETI), and Palantir (PLTR), which continues its pattern of aggressive early-session sell-offs followed by a late-session rebound.

• A quick recap of earnings moves in names like Best Buy, Burlington, Five Below, and Dell, with many straddles underpricing the actual moves.

(22:38) - The Odd Block

• Onas Holdings (ONDS)

• Braze, Inc. (BRZE)

• Westrock PLC (SW)

(35:54) - The Mail Block

• Audience Polls: Mark shares the results of recent listener polls, revealing that most listeners were not comfortable buying the S&P at its current level and that a large majority would prefer to buy rather than sell the VIX December 15 puts.

• VIX Debate: The show's central question: which level will the VIX hit first, 12 or 20? Both Uncle Mike and the Flowmaster believe the VIX will touch 12 first, driven by the ongoing bull market and low realized volatility, but they both note the high potential for a sudden, unexpected spike.

• Crypto Derivatives: A discussion on the future of crypto contracts, with a poll showing an overwhelming preference for cash-settled contracts over physically settled ones, due to simplicity and a desire to avoid dealing with the underlying assets.

(44:54) - Around the Block 

• What to Watch: The hosts share what they'll be watching until the next episode, including the S&P 500's attempt to break 6,500, the post-earnings action in Nvidia and Dell, and the overall macroeconomic picture as traders return from summer vacations.

Host: Mark Longo - The Options Insider
Cohosts: Uncle Mike Tosaw - St. Charles Wealth Management and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi - The Option Pit

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

Time Stamps

• 5:59: The Trading Block
• 33:57: The Odd Block - Bentley Systems (BSY) & Transocean (RIG)
• 43:55: The Strategy Block
• 49:09 Around the Block

The panel discusses the current state of the market, including a week of "red" for the major indices and a corresponding increase in volatility. The episode features a deep dive into unusual options activity, including a mysterious buyer in Unity Software and a vertical call spread in Select Quote. A conspiracy theory about AI engineers making a fortune in the options market is also debated by the hosts. The show wraps up with a look at upcoming earnings reports and a discussion on whether listeners are comfortable buying and holding the S&P 500 in the current market environment.

• Host: Mark Longo from The Options Insider Media Group

• Co-hosts: "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe

• 0:00 Welcome 

• 3:02 The Trading Block: The panel discusses the overall market sentiment, a week of "red" for major indices, and a slight uptick in volatility. They analyze volume in VIX, SPY, SPX, and NASDAQ and discuss top-performing single-name stocks, including Nvidia, Tesla, Palantir, and Intel.

• 10:37 The Odd Block: The hosts investigate trades in Unity Software, Blend Labs, and Select Quote, analyzing specific call and put positions and speculating on the motives behind the trades.

• 19:54 The Mail Block: The hosts answer a listener's question about whether they are comfortable buying and holding the SPX in the current market. They also discuss a viral conspiracy theory that suggests top AI engineers are making a fortune through options trading, which is why they are being offered such high salaries.

• 27:46 Around the Block: The panel shares what they will be watching in the market until the next show, including upcoming earnings reports from companies like Intuit, Zoom, and Nvidia. They also give contact information for listeners who want to connect with them.