The Option Block

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The Option Block All-Star Panel breaks down the latest developments in the options market, analyzes unusual options activity, explains cutting-edge options strategies, answers listener questions and much more. Whether you're an active options trader or just getting started in the options market, The Option Block will keep you informed and entertained.

1 DAY AGO

The Option Block 1449: Yet Another Blood-Red Thursday

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. Key Topics Discussed: 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.

57 min
4 DAYS AGO

The Option Block 1448: A Surprising Lack of Demolition in the Market

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!

58 min
27 FEB

Nvidia Wreckage, Blackberry Bulls, and Robot Butlers

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.

1 hr
23 FEB

The Option Block 1446: Easy Rice, Bloody Markets and Looming Canadian Invasions

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.

58 min
19 FEB

The Option Block 1445: FIG's Post-IPO Rollercoaster & The Silver Magnet

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. Go to https://tastytrade.com/podcasts

58 min
12 FEB

The Option Block 1444: Turning Red

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

57 min
9 FEB

The Option Block 1443: How to Get Punched in the Face by Your Broker

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. In This Episode: 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.

58 min
5 FEB

The Option Block 1442: Blood-Red Markets and the Death of DUOL

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.

58 min

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The Option Block All-Star Panel breaks down the latest developments in the options market, analyzes unusual options activity, explains cutting-edge options strategies, answers listener questions and much more. Whether you're an active options trader or just getting started in the options market, The Option Block will keep you informed and entertained.