Option Block 192: Earnings Palooza

Option Block 192: Earnings Palooza

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Trading Block:  GOOG earnings announced early, although no one is sure why.  Today is an earnings-palooza: AMD, LUV, MSFT, NOK, VZ all after the bell.

Odd Block: Is McGraw-Hill Topped Out? (MHP); puts rolled on Sprint Nextel (S); volatility purchased on Hertz Global (HTZ).

The Mail Block: You ask. We answer.

• EMAIL FROM TED, WASHINGTON: “I know you guys have touched on this a long time ago, but I can’t find the episode and I’m not sure if there was ever an answer. My question is - how do you execute a ratio spread using Xtend? I’ve been trying all morning to execute a simple 1x2 put spread (buy 1, sell 2) all morning, yet when i select put spread from the Xtend dropdown menu in the order ticket, it defaults to having the legs be the same size. Whenever I try to change the size of one leg, it automatically adjusts the other. None of the other selections in the dropdown seem to work and I don’t see a selection for “ratio spread.” Is there a way to do this? If not, can ox please add a dropdown for ratio spreads in Xtend. Thanks. Been a fan of the show since it launched and an ox customer for about a year, mostly because of this show.

• RELATED EMAIL QUESTION FROM FINN: I know Mark L. loves iron butterflies. How do I trade those using Xtend? I don’t see an option for those in the trade ticket?

• EMAIL FROM Todd in MN: Hi guys, love you, love the show... A question for the listener mail segment-- I'd be honored if you read it. What's the most effective way for a retail investor to hedge an x% decline in the overall market? Some guesses:

1. - buy a back month vertical put spread or single long put on $SPY and let simmer?
2. - buy a vertical call spread on $VIX and manage it closely?
3. - C) none of the above?

Xpress Block: Trading picks up in VIX.  Sebastian pontificates.

Around the Block: Earnings. Earnings. Earnings. FB, NFLX, ZNGA, and AMZN coming up.

About Mark S. Longo

Mark S. Longo is the founder of The Options Insider Inc. - a firm dedicated to providing free options information, education, news and analysis for options users. Whether it's on TheOptionsInsider.com, a leading online options destination; through Options Insider Radio, the world's only radio network for options users; or through a growing number of newsletters and live events, Mr. Longo continues to provide new ways to spread the word about options.Mr. Longo's analysis of the options market has appeared in a wide variety of domestic and international publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Reuters, Futures Magazine, and more. As one of the few industry commentators with practical options experience, he has developed a substantial following among industry veterans and newcomers looking for insight into this complex market.Mr. Longo began his career as an options trader on the floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange.