http://www.theoptionsinsiders.com Brokerage Articles en-us Copyright 2012 The Options Insider Sat, 4 Feb 2012 03:11:00 GMT 20 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:32:00 GMT Trading Block: Is it too risky to actively short volatility in this environment? Andrew thinks that, from a volatility point of view, all things are pointing in the same direction. Earnings plays. What and s the deal with Amazon? Chipotle, or stealth Apple, is nothing but classy. Andrew gives taqueria recommendations in San Francisco. All is right in the world, so it and s time to buy stocks. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Zynga, Inc., Facebook is spreading the love. Xpress Block: John Grigus discusses the IPO process, and the confusion around when the stock will actually trade. Tax season updates on 1099 and s. Around the Block: Non-farms payrolls released on Friday before the open. Andrew suggests an ADP indicator. Earnings still coming out: Activision, CBOE, CSCO, Groupon. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9116 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9116 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:09:00 GMT Trading Block: It was a calm day in volatility, given that it has been beaten up recently. What effect does Greece and s financial woes has on our market anymore? The precious Metals market pulls back, affected by China. The yellow Wiggle is out: Australia is in turmoil! The biggest kids brand is in the toilet, sold Wiggles sold!!! Scalping tech Vol. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Cell Therapeutics Inc. (CTIC) (an odd block special!), and RenRen Inc. (RENN). It looks like Facebook love is spreading to RENN. Mail Bag: The weekly butterfly risk and reward Around the Block: Earnings: Amazon coming out after the close tomorrow. Numbers: Non-Farms on Friday, this week we might see some numbers pop. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9082 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9082 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:39:00 GMT Trading Block: Apple blows the doors off earnings again – long premium going into earnings was the way to play it. JC Penney up $6.50 today, but is it best to still keep a short position? Netflix on the comeback trail? Odd Block: Unusual activity in Deutsche Bank AG (DB) and DeVry Inc. (DV). Xpress Block: Tim Navabi breaks down the recent activity at OX. Have the recent round of earnings and a move to the upside started to lure back degenerate premium sellers back to Netflix? Have people continued to dive back into the short end of Google? Strategy Block: In this rare opportunity, Mark Sebastian takes over the strategy block to discuss what he thinks about the VIX. Around the Block: Keeping an eye on Ford and Apple - again. Very interesting to see oil still around the 100 mark - gold and silver are also moving. Earnings: Jan 31 - Amazon, Feb 1 - Chipotle (stealth Apple), Exxon Mobile and UPS - next week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9061 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9061 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:58:00 GMT Trading Block: Greek debt swap is keeping the market in neutral. S and P and VIX both up today, but overall a slow trading day. Natural gas and Google are both gathering interest among traders. It is an interesting time to looking at long premium. Odd Block: Usual activity in Melco Entertainment (MPEL), Alexza Pharmaceuticals (ALXA), and Ingersoll Rand (IR). Xpress Block: Tim Navabi discusses the most recent strike of the widowmaker, Google, and some of the calls received by customers last Friday, unhappy with their positions. Around the Block: Big earnings tomorrow! Apple, AMD, and Ford to name a few of the biggest. How much more can Apple rally on earnings? Ford, a wheel of fun candidate, is not risky enough for a collar. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9032 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9032 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:28:00 GMT Trading Block: Ho hum day on the street, but VIX makes it below 20 after much dancing in the area. Looking at a sleepy creep up of the general markets and for a dedicated selling of volatility. Uncle Mike and s patience has paid off in Ford. Mark rolls in the Wheel of Fun. The gang fixes the issues with weeklys, but are the exchanges listening? Playing around in earnings season. Kodak throws in the towel and declares bankruptcy. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Safeway, Inc. (SWY). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike takes us through win-loss ratios. High probability does not equal guaranteed money. Premium selling is not an annuity; you still have to prepare for risk. Around the Block: Earnings dominating the horizon. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9001 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=9001 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:42:00 GMT Trading Block: Another mild day on the market. Metals/Commodities rundown - GLD up a bit, but not much. Premium on the VIX futures is getting crushed. Corn and grains limit down after a USDA report this morning rocked the market. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. (NWL) and Research in Motion (RIMM). Xpress Block: Rob Kurzatkowski commands the OX desk today and discusses the ags from CME and Globex, limits and what you need to know before trading following reports. Strategy Block: Andrew Giovanazzi runs the strategy block and talks about doing stuff after trading Zenga and XLF. Around the Block: Earnings outlook: Goldman Sachs, Citi - 1/18, Intel - 1/19, as well as Apple - 1/24. Will we push through the 1300-level, or will it act as a level of resistance? Next Wednesday is VIX expiration for the Jan contracts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8960 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8960 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:41:00 GMT Trading Block: Another mild day on the street. Apple hits a new high ahead of earnings, riding high on iPad 3 rumors. Apple and s new high comes in spite of the fact that Android finally eclipsed IOS in the mobile market over the holidays. Netflix was up 14% today despite opting out of ultraviolet program. Is the widowmaker back? Nuance, perhaps a stealth play going into CES. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Perfect World Co., Ltd. (PWRD). Xpress Block: John Grigus runs the OX desk this week and discusses year-end topics, such as closing out worthless securities and most importantly, taxes. Listener Questions: Option margin Around the Block: Biotech and pharmaceutical stocks are lighting up the screens. Kodak closed and $0.40. What is their future? Looking forward to Alcoa. Lots of earnings and retail sales coming up. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8933 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8933 Fri, 6 Jan 2012 12:33:00 GMT Trading Block: Market mostly unchanged today. Vol off modestly - a decent day for gamma scalping in the VIX. Jobless claims modestly lower - the market shrugged it off. A Metals/Commodities rundown. Apple on a little bit of a tear which has rallied since mid-December, augmented by a lot of attention with the CES next week. A quick discussion of butterfly and iron butterfly positions. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Barnes and Noble, Inc. (BKS) and Fossil, Inc. (FOSL). Xpress Block: Tim Navabi discusses the recent surge in costumers buying risk, with Bank of America being the most popular. Around the Block: CES on the horizon and will impact the volatility of many tech stocks - be on the lookout for the next Nvidia, which rallied 50% in the weeks following CES last year. Where will oil go now that it and s above 100? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8905 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8905 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:14:00 GMT Sometimes the market doesn and t work in your client and s favor. This episode explores the ways that protective puts can insulate your clients from the dramatic swings of the marketplace. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8857 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8857 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:19:00 GMT The Option Block all stars look back on trends, headlines, and crazy trades from 2011, as well as look forward to what might happen in 2012 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8858 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8858 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:31:00 GMT Trading Block: A weak rally going into the holiday -- not too much going down on the street except for the continued annihilation of volatility. GLD and GVX ended the year down. Not much movement otherwise given the time of year. Odd Block: A look back at some usual activity from the past, including GLD and Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI). Xpress Block: Rob K talks about straddles and strangles given the fact that volatility has been crushed lately. Around the Block: The bulk of the holiday weekend has already come out. Have a happy holiday! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8818 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8818 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:27:00 GMT Trading Block: A volatility/VIX rundown -- it and s up, it and s down, it and s in lockstep with the market, it does its own thing. It and s VIX madness. Zenga, a new tech name to hit the market -- can it follow in the footsteps of Linkedin, Groupon, Angie and s List or the other 2011 tech bubble names? A Metals/commodity rundown Odd Block: Unusual activity in Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC), St. Jude Medical, Inc. (STJ), and an Odd Block review from 10/27 on Hecla Mining Co. (HL). Xpress Block: Tim Navabi discusses the busy Friday expiration, taking calls from customers about deep in-the-money spreads and other goings on at OX. Around the Block: What are we watching this holiday week? Buffalo Wild Wing (BWLB) joins the Wheel of Fun, also game developer Take 2. It and s a holiday week, so plan accordingly if you are long premium. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8786 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8786 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:53:00 GMT Trading Block: SPY and other expirations on ETFs--close out your shorts! More put buyers are rolling into VIX - even the Journal is starting to pick up on it. Given this erratic movement, how risky is hedging the VIX? GLD put options, a relatively inexpensive option if you still need to hedge you and re GLD downside. A Reuters article debating and discussing the sideways movements of the market, which gained popularity of the site recently, recommended straddles as a way to play with market. Should it even be allowed to recommend straddles without following it up with the appropriate discussion on gamma scalping? RIMM earnings after the close – at-the-money straddle trading $1.75 with one day to go. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Walgreens Co. (WAG), Credit Suisse Group (CS), and an activity review from November 17Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (LPX). Xpress Block: John Grigus from OX discusses the Van Eck ETFs and Sears (SHLD), which came out with a re-org. The December futures contracts will go off and stop trading at 8:30 CST. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw talks about diagonal spreads and the diagonal butterfly given the weekly options being the great fascination of the retail world and gives us his two cents. Around the Block: An update on RIMM - that straddle still not paying the bills, trading about a dollar lower. Will VIX continue to decline? Will the market head north from here? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8760 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8760 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:03:00 GMT Trading Block: It and s been quite the roller coaster ride for VIX as of late, a lot of people picked up their insurance and are sitting fully hedged, just riding out the storm. Over at KYO, Dollar General and GNC stocks continue an upward climb. Gold down today, as well as crude oil, bonds may be next. Plus, Netflix, aka the widow-maker, makes a return cameo. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Activision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI), Targacept, Inc. (TRGT), and revisiting an 11/28 activity review on MGIC Investment Corp. (MTG). Xpress Block: Tim Navabi discusses corporate restructuring and how once they announce some news it can affect the stock and options. Around the Block: Retail sales tomorrow, crude inventories Wednesday. Best Buy could be interesting to watch along with other names in the Wheel of Fun. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8731 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8731 Fri, 9 Dec 2011 12:51:00 GMT Trading Block: VIX cash back above 30, how long can it last? MF Global disaster continues to get worse, with no clue as to where customer money is. Customers are making additional margin payments because their funds at MF Global are frozen. This disaster may have ramifications for years to come. Metals/commodity rundown -- volatile gold and silver. Ford brought their dividend back after five years. Odd Block: Three-legged spreads. Unusual activity in Yahoo!, Inc. (YHOO) andLiz Claiborne, Inc.(LIZ). Plus, an update on last week and s activity review: RIMM and Darden Restaurants (DRI). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses the simulated index concept and how to relate it to higher income and higher net worth individuals. How to use a life insurance policy if you exceed your retirement plan contribution level. Around the Block: The ongoing turmoil in the Eurozone is continuing to keep the VIX in limbo. RIMM earnings next week. Walgreens producing very high vol levels. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8698 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8698 Tue, 6 Dec 2011 14:12:00 GMT Trading Block: VIX was all over the map today. Stocks opened strong but rumors of an S and P downgrade warning to Germany killed some of the optimism. The ups and downs of trading Groupon. Trading the wheel of fun: keeping an eye on Dollar General and GNC. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Angie and rsquo;s List - (ANGI), Darden Restaurants, Inc. - (DRI), and American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. - (AEO). Plus an update from last week on RIMM. Xpress Block: John Grigus from OX discusses the Van Eck ETFs and the news concerning ETFs and options. Around the Block: Jobless claims on 12/08. Michigan Sentiment later this week. The ongoing kurfuffle in the Euro zone. RIMM earnings on 12/15. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8663 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8663 Fri, 2 Dec 2011 13:15:00 GMT Trading Block: A massive explosion to the upside, what was the impetus for the 400 point rally? The S and P 500 has climbed 3% or more in a day 36 times in the past three years compared with 27 times for the nine years before, according to Bloomberg. EU battling to hold itself together. The first of the month means "Options Numbers Day." Odd Block: Unusual activity in Research in Motion, Ltd. (RIMM) and Barnes and Noble, Inc. (BKS) Xpress Block: Tim Navabi shares the news from Direxion Shares that their 2x bull and bear ETFs will now be converted to 3x. Also, how did OX handle the frenzied rally in the past days? Around the Block: Non-farms tomorrow, but almost a back-burner issue compared to the wild and irrational exuberance in the market recently. VIX finally takes a turn below 30, a long awaited event. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8639 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8639 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:27:00 GMT Trading Block: A strong move to the upside after the holiday weekend. VIX at 30 yet again – is this becoming the new norm? Strong Black Friday sales compelling market. Metals/commodity rundown. Odd Block: Unusual activity in MGIC Investment Corp. (MTG); BlackRock, Inc. (BLK), and Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW). Plus, an update on Guiled (GLID) from last week. Xpress Block: Rob discusses the extreme polarity last week from doom and gloom to consumer uplift on Black Friday. Has there been an uptick of people looking at SPXpm at OX? Around the Block: The afterglow of Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still driving all the major indices up. Dark clouds looming on the horizon in Europe. Groupon playing the mini-widowmaker down 9%. Unemployment, housing numbers, and non-farms later this week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8595 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8595 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:55:00 GMT Trading Block: Dow back in the red for the year. Debt cutting debate concerns hit the market -- reminiscent of the debt debate from August, only you don and t see everyone loading up on VIX puts this time. Did they learn their lesson? Could more DC gridlock trigger another debt downgrade? Odd Block: Unusual and interesting activity in: Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) NII Holdings, Inc. (NIHD) Strategy Block: Andrew Giovanazzi from Option Pit discusses getting short the VIX without overloading on risk. Around The Block: Super committee debate dominates the outlook for this week -- how do you position for this? Apple below the 375 handle for the first time in a while -- maybe the best is behind Apple? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8562 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8562 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:10:00 GMT The Option Block all-star gang discusses Angie and s List, Apple, S and P 500, simulating indexes, and more. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8532 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8532 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:29:00 GMT Trading Block: How to use SPX movement in the downside skew to gauge the sentiment of a particular rally. An uncharacteristic sell-off in Apple -- will they finally lose their grip on the 400 handle? Green Mountain Coffee closed at nearly $41 today, down a whopping 40%. Odd Block: Unusual activity in EBAY and Computer Science Corp. (CSC). Xpress Block: Tim Navabi takes the reins at discusses the reverse split of FAS at OX today and talks adjusted options. Around the Block: Disney earnings after the bell - Things are looking good in the house of Mouse, it closed at 34.60, trading about $1 higher in the after-hours. NVDIA after the bell - closed at about 14.5, trading about $0.70 higher. Under Armor, Mastercard, Red Hat and Ulta Salon all had nice small pops before earnings. Oil and TLT have both been on a significant rally. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8467 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8467 Tue, 8 Nov 2011 13:50:00 GMT Trading Block: A bit of a market turnaround, but mainly a relatively mild day. What a strange place VIX and volatility are in general right now. Priceline (PCLN) earnings today after the close, trading over $500. The frenzy began Friday as Groupon went public -- when will the options go live? A quick Metals/commodity rundown. Odd Block: Unusual activity in: McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR), Knight Capital Group (KCG) and Career Education Corp. (CECO) Xpress Block: John Grigus discusses the details of the MF Global account, which has brought about stress at OX fielding questions. Around the Block: Earnings! Disney 11/10 - General Motors 11/9 - Cisco 11/9. Also, jobless claims 11/10. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8428 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8428 Fri, 4 Nov 2011 10:42:00 GMT Trading Block: Greece! The other European countries have finally said enough is enough - they may survive without Greece, but Greece can and t survive without them. It looks like the VIX was hedging its own bets, there was a giant relief sell-off like was last week. XLE up over 2% on the day. There and s definitely been a lot of movement in energy today, when it feels like things are getting better, people flock towards energy - a good time to be a bull. Gold closed at the highest it and s been in a while, gold and silver are starting to claw their way back after a recent pull-back in the Metal world. In the land of collars - the premiums in the weekly have been high enough, especially in GLD, to justify using some of the near term options. Strategy Block: Today feature of the strategy block will be a dual session, split by Andrew Giovinazzi and Mike Tosaw. Andrew starts by enlighten us on the uses of the front spread. What is a 1x2? How do you pick a front spread? With his turn, Tosaw discusses the back spread, including topics on modified stock repair strategies and hedging a front spread with a back spread. Around the Block: Back spreads - with the financials prone there are some opportunities because the volatility is at a point where it and s cheap enough since they and re moving so much. Keep an eye on Greece - Will they oust their prime minister? Greece is the word! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8402 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8402 Tue, 1 Nov 2011 12:24:00 GMT Trading Block: Bonds rallied, volatility exploded. MF Global news, combined with inflation and the Japanese efforts to intervene in their currency, provided for a big up day in the dollar. Given the lack of volume, the market had a strong sell-off today. Here in Chicago the Merc and the Board had to come down and say no trading. Gold and silver, they and ve been down a bit and out of the news spotlight, but could there be another run on it give the lows here? Odd Block: Unusual activity in Chesapeake Energy (CHK), The Materials Sector (XLB), and Herbalife (HLF). Strategy Block: Host Mark Sebastian gives a special strategy block, "Turn off the Idiot-Box". If you and re an active trading, turn off what CNBC thinks the market may do and watch the market the see what it actually does and you are bound to have better success. Around the Block: Looking for some follow through on last Thursday and s big volume move or any stocks that hit new highs and were able to hold on to those highs. A lot of earnings and employment data come out this week, so you may be on the edge of your seat. Tomorrow may be a big day, as people try not to miss another big up-turn. But overall the tone will be set by the international markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8358 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8358 Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:24:00 GMT Trading Block: The market is off to the races...again. Strong rallies across the board. VIX cash finally makes its way down into the sub-30 range, welcome news for those who have been leaning to the downside in VIX. European leaders expand bailout fund - 50% write-down on Greek debt. Is the European debacle behind us? Strong economic data -- the economy grew at 2.5%, consumers strongest since Q4 2010. Also, a strong earnings season so far -- more than half of the companies in the S and P 500 have released quarterly results since Oct. 11, and about three- quarters have beaten the average analyst estimate. Odd Block: Unusual activity in: Avon Products, Inc. (AVP), MGIC Investment Corp. (MTG), and HL – Hecla Mining Co. Xpress Block: Tim Navabi runs down the recent activity at OX. Buy, buy, buy! Traders are getting long as sellers are exhausted and saying goodbye to the puts holders. Using a LEAP as a covered call swap out - the LEAP vs. the short term call. What happens to that LEAP if your front month option expires or is about to expire and the option is in the money? Around the Block: An update that the Baidu (BIDU) earnings just came out and in the afterhours is trading, hovering around $1.50. Netflix trading in the 80 handle, creating widows left and right. Amazon down as well, closed today at about $2.07, was trading as high as $2.40 before earnings. MF Global hitting the 4 handle, a lot of activity in the Nov 01 puts - not a good sign. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8334 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8334 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMT Trading Block: A brand new Options Insider website! Are there any legs to the rally? Where was VIX during this rally? Netflix, the window maker, released earnings after the bell. Odd Block: Unusual activity in: Bank of America - (BAC) and H.J. Heinz Co. - (HNZ) Xpress Block John Grigus from OX discusses his interesting first two calls of the day - customers ask "Why was I assigned on OTM options? Why was I not assigned on ITM options?" A review of the first few weeks of trading in SPXpm. Around the Block An update on Netflix, will it bounce? Amazon earnings out 10/25, after the bell - is it wise to have underlying going into the earnings? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8298 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8298 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:06:00 GMT Option Block 99: Selling MSFT Premium Trading Block: A rare fairly uneventful day. Chipotle Mexican Grill with earnings after the bell - Is CMG the other Apple? Microsoft after the close - a whopping non-event. Odd Block: Unusual activity in: Microsoft (MSFT) and BP PLC – (BP) Xpress Block: News on the OX app for iPhone and soon to be released app for iPad. When might listeners of the Options Insider be able to stream and download this show through the OX app? Around the Block: Amazon next Tuesday - A counter-pole to Apple right now, given their rival content ecosystem. General Nutrition Corporation with earnings tomorrow, GNC has been making some interesting volume spikes recently. Ford earnings next Wednesday - how to prep for this. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8267 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8267 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:49:00 GMT The Option Block all star crew took the show on the road and taped this episode in front of an enthusiastic audience at the FIA Chicago Expo. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8202 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8202 Fri, 7 Oct 2011 13:36:00 GMT Trading Block: VIX finally gets to the mid-30s! The bar for has been raised. Apple without Jobs - down 0.5%. What effect could Jobs have on Apple stock post-mortem, or is this a turning point for Apple? Odd Block: Unusual activity in Mortgage insurer MBIA Inc. (MBI); Children and s Place Retail Stores, Inc. - (PLCE) Xpress Block: Tim Navabi grabs the reins and discusses what was trading today at OX, as well as a rundown of some of the commodity movers. CBOE also recently unveiled SPXpm -- has it been successful? Around The Block: Nonfarms: October 7 Gold and Silver are both consolidating, something to definitely check out. Apple earnings: October 18. Google earnings: October 13 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8156 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8156 Tue, 4 Oct 2011 13:26:00 GMT The all-star block discusses who will explode first: EK or AMR? Greece strikes again. Unusual activity in AMR, MDR, LVS. Coming up...SPXpm. Exercise fees, jobless claims, and whack-a-mole, bankruptcy-style. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8115 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8115 Tue, 4 Oct 2011 14:43:00 GMT Volatility Review: Metals and gold vol. Euro vol review: Don talks about the recommendations he had made to sell the Euro VolContracts a week ago Thursday, and where they settled this past Friday - a product rich in volatility. S and P, Nasdaq, and commodity vol review. Plus, Mark Sebastian and s volatility review. Volatility Viewpoint: A quick primer on mean, median, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis of distributions. Plus, explaining negative market skewness, leptokurtic behavior of stock prices, etc. As always, we keep it easy to understand and non-intimidating. Mailbag: Captain Options asks, "Given the explosion of popularity in weekly options, I and m curious if Mark and Don think there is room for short-term realized volatility products. Would a weekly realized vol product even make sense at this point given the short time frame of the product? Can you generate a worthwhile calculation of volatility in such a short time frame?" Crystal Ball: S and P, Nasdaq, and commodity Vol outlook. Euro VolContracts outlook. What and s coming up at VolX and Option Pit? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8116 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8116 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:00:00 GMT Trading Block: The market rallied on stronger than expected GDP numbers, and a little ease on European concerns, combined for a strong up move early in the day. Thirty-year rate is 4.01% -- the lowest on record. Rumors of Amazon getting into the tablet wars -- stock down 3%. With Amazon in its territory, Apple moved to the downside -- is it time to be bullish? The spread between VIX and VXN continues to widen. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Dollar General (DG) - size call sales going up for the past couple of months. Dreamworks Animation Skg. (DWA) - been on a downside tear over most of the last year, as high as 38 early November last year, straight down since then, trading near 18 now. Looks like someone is trying to protect some downside and decided to put on the puts and end the free fall. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw dispenses some vintage options wisdom, discussing the concept of dollar cost averaging. Around the Block: Ford hovering at the 10 strike. Apple earnings out October 18; CBOE earnings out October 5. A lot of energy stocks are at lower levels now. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8087 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8087 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:19:00 GMT Trading Block: The relationship between VIX and VXN, how it could have helped you. Late session rally on European hopes. The Metal-pocalypse continues - where is the bottom? Sell-offs in both GLD and SLV. EK crushed to the downside...again -- CDs upfront premium not at 41%! Groupon and s ponzi scheme continues -- restated their entire 2010 results and slashed revenue in half. Odd Block: Harry Winston Diamond Corp. (HWD); Hasbro, Inc. (HAS);Novagold Resources (NG) Xpress Block: Tim Navabi runs through the top moving stocks and commodities over at OX today. Also a little overview on the use of settled and unsettled funds. Around The Block: Jobless claims on Thursday as well as GDP. Greek debt still on the horizon. The bulk of today and s rally come after the lessening of those concerns, but the outlook on that changes frequently -- things could get either really good or really bad. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8051 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8051 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:21:00 GMT Trading Block: A sea of red in the market today - recession fears slam everything except treasuries. VIX cash gaps up yet again -- VIX futures outlook. Metals/Commodities rundown - everything down across the board, with gold down as well, but no rolling down will be taking place before the weekend. Ford below the $10 handle. Odd Block: Yahoo! - (YHOO) Following an upgrade at Stifel, Nicolaus from "Hold" to "Buy" with a price target of $18.00, shares are on the plus side this morning. The analyst stated "the likelihood of a buyout has increased to 80%." Looks like some folks are betting on a buyout over the next few weeks. Bank of America - (BAC) Some large option players are "raising the white flag" in Bank of America Corp. (BAC) today with two large blocks of call options being sold on the bids and most likely closing out previous bullish positions. Perhaps most painful, someone dumped over 100k Jan 20 calls for $0.01! Covanta Holding Corp - (CVA) Stock has been hammered over the past few days. Someone thinks it and rsquo;s overdone and bought a size bullish risk reversal. Range Resources Corp - (RRC) Looks like those upside specs on the 70 and 75 strikes could have paid off. Xpress Block: Tim Navabi runs down the daily goings on at OX. Today was a day for risk management. There and s always a tomorrow in the market. The tools available on the OX are here to the rescue. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses his profound belief that we will get through our current financial situation. But you need some type of plan in place for down days like today. Around The Block: A lot of concern going into the weekend. Another good time to have some units in you back pocket. VIX option implied volatility exploded today, selling premium does not make sense. Has the bleeding stopped at Netflix for now? If you and re thinking of playing in inverse ETFs or options on the ETFs, the margin requirements are tighter on the inverse ETFs. Apple held onto 400 today - a flight to safety. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8024 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=8024 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:59:00 GMT Trading Block: The "Widowmaker" (NFLX) CEO apologizes for the screw up with their pricing and thusly losing 1 million customers and the stock dropping 50% since the price increases in July. Could Netflix split into two separate businesses? Lenders tell Greece to get its act together and reduce the size of its government, or run out of cash within a few weeks. Metals/Commodities rundown -- collaring gold until November. Oil really took it on the chin due to uncertainty in Europe. The Odd Block: Range Resources Corp. (RRC) saw its shares pop late this morning on news out of DealReporter that the company has been approached by a non-U.S. suitor. Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (CY) sees an early bearish put buyer this morning with the focus on the near month at-the-money contracts. Amerigroup Corp. (AGP) Interesting Option activity in ahead of the company and rsquo;s analyst meeting in New York tomorrow morning. Xpress Block: Rob Kurzatkoski discusses the goings on today at OX, including Netflix and the recent and strange gold and S and P relationship. Strategy Block: In this strategy block, Andrew Giovinazzi talks strategy about the [[[[[[meta]]]]]]ls/gold frenzy that is consuming everyone these days. Around The Block: Housing starts tomorrow and existing home sales on Wednesday. Is housing a good indicator of the market? FOMC Wednesday -- their relevance is fairly benign given they and re holding fast for the next couple of years. Also, Jobless claims Thursday. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7984 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7984 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:28:00 GMT TRADING BLOCK: Research in Motion (RIMM) - The future looks bleak. "The Widowmaker" strikes again - Netflix (NFLX), which was trading $300 just two months ago, down 40%. Yet another "rogue trader" on the loose - this time it costs UBS $2 billion. Commodities rundown - gold is coming down, is this the right time tighten up your hedges? ODD BLOCK: Unusual and interesting options activity in: UBS AG (UBS) - a staggering $2 billion lost in trading as a rogue trader racked up unauthorized dealings. Call buying and put selling on the stock appear to be the most employed strategies of the day, with investors expecting shares to recover in the next five weeks. Amerigroup Corp. (AGP) - ahead of the company and s analyst meeting in New York tomorrow morning, an opening buyer appeared in the September 45 Calls, paying the offers of $0.25-$0.35 for approximately 3500 contracts. These options expire tomorrow after the close so these trades will need the stock to climb another 4.6% to begin to see any profits. XPRESS BLOCK: Tim Navabi takes the reins and discusses the hectic day today at OX due to "The Widowmaker" aka Netflix, as well as the upcoming expiration of September futures. STRATEGY BLOCK: Mike Tosaw illuminates us on some in-depth options strategy. First, with the upcoming expiration, if you and re not ready to hold a stock and you and re short a put, maybe you and ll want to close out those penny options. Second, make sure you know position delta before doing ratio spreads. AROUND THE BLOCK: An update on RIMM. Still some concern over Greece, also some concern about expiration upcoming. Not too much else lighting up the tape on the earnings front though. Play it safe this weekend. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7956 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7956 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:59:00 GMT Trading Block: Metals outlook - Gold, bonds, and GLD have all been pulling back, there seems to be a lot of building of cash reserves right now. The heavy movement in VXO relative to VIX means there is a lot at the money buying to up the curve. Risk on/ risk off. VIX has been trading above VXN, so clearly the risk is in the financials, not tech. Could there be a violent move toward the upside? Is there any truth to the rumor that China could be buying Italian debt? Interview Block: Today and s guest Joe Cusick, the head of education at OX, talks a little about the progression he feels most people should go through when learning about options. How do you keep investors interested while teaching them about the stuff that and s not as fun? Education for some of the more refined and advanced traders. Finally, what is Joe and s opinion of the VIX-based products, ETF - ETN, that have come into the market place? Has volatility become an asset class? Strategy Block: Mike Cavanaugh discusses what he saw in the marketplace, and how to build a long term investment portfolio given the trends he observed. Around The Block: Our hosts prognosticate about the upcoming week. In a market like this, it and rsquo;s a great opportunity to sell premium. Retail sales on the 14th and Philly Fed comes out on the 15th, both of these could have a big impact on the market. When will things with Greece get resolved? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7917 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7917 Fri, 9 Sep 2011 12:16:00 GMT Trading Block: The market turned red despite Uncle Ben and s promises. Obama and s job speech - how will it affect the market? Commodity rundown - GLD off to the races again today, but is it time to start being bearish? A rundown of volatility and VIX Odd Block: Unusual activity in SuperValu Inc. (SVU) - This is probably someone taking advantage of option liquidity to dump some stock. FedEx Corp. (FDX) - An example of Bullish risk reversals; R.R. Donnelley and Sons Co. (RRD) Xpress Block/Mail Block: OX and s own Tim Navabi answers a few listener questions in this combo Xpress / Listener Questions block. 1.) Schwab hasn and t offered portfolio margin in the past, but now that they have acquired OX, will they be offering that to their customers now or is that still a benefit only for OX customers? 2.) I have some clients who are also Schwab customers. They are excited about the prospect of portfolio margin coming to their accounts. How do they go about getting that treatment? Do they have to switch their accounts to OX? Will it be automatic? Is there some online form to fill out? Around The Block: Looking forward to President Obama and s speech on jobs - could the payroll tax be a huge issue? After this speech will we see the whole weekend coming out? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7891 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7891 Fri, 2 Sep 2011 13:00:00 GMT Trading Block: Another yo-yo day on the street. Manufacturing data was stronger than expected, but not enough to keep the market positive. The long weekend should have been priced out already, but it seems that many traders are holding off from hitting the bids ahead of non-farms tomorrow. A look of the [meta]ls/commodities: gold, silver, and natural gas. Odd Block: Unusual activity in: Dunkin and Brands Group, Inc. (DNKN); American Express Co. (AXP); Lexmark (LXK) Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson is back and discusses Legal Day 1 - the first day the Schwab/Option Xpress business combination became legal, and the party that ensued outside his window. The futures are becoming a more mainstream product. Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses the world of 1 by 2 ratio spreads. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Around The Block: Everyone is keeping their powder dry ahead of non-farms payrolls tomorrow. Is this the time to get long premium and perhaps get a free weekend? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7838 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7838 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:57:00 GMT TRADING BLOCK: Tech leads the way today, while GLD finally has a down day. Short VIX bets are finally paying off, but there and s still more downside to go. Plus, a rundown of [meta]ls from a wild day. How much of a downside move in gold are we looking at before considering rolling the puts back down? Not much action to report from commodities today. ODD BLOCK: Unusual activity in Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) - Who purchased the lottery ticket? IMAX Corp. (IMAX) - Is this from the re-running of Transformers 3? Sealed Air Corp. (SEE) - A size day for SEE on Friday XPRESS BLOCK: Today and s guest Alex Jacobson discusses retail and s appetite for futures recently. How the times have changed in the futures market, especially for retail. AROUND THE BLOCK: Is there more VIX downside ahead? What and s the weekend risk? Is it worth it to own premium? Non-farms coming up on Friday, more to be discussed about that next show. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7795 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7795 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:07:00 GMT TRADING BLOCK: The news of Steve Jobs stepping down from Apple has dominated the headlines. What does this mean for future Apple plays? What and s the outlook on Apple vol going forward? An outlook of the [[meta]]ls market. The CME raises the margin rate of gold, a little too late? What and s driving an interest in copper? Also, has scalping negative gamma exacerbated the downward movements seen in the past few weeks? XPRESS BLOCK: Rob K discusses how Bank of America and s order flow surged as bottom pickers got an early Christmas care of Warren Buffet. The newest OX iPad app is just around the corner! AROUND THE BLOCK: QE3 - Does it even have a prayer of happening? What is the positioning ahead of the Bernanke speech? Could we possibly take a hit going into the weekend? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7766 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7766 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:20:00 GMT Last weekend, the final integration of thinkorswim and s platform into that of TD Ameritrade took place. On Monday morning, there were some very unhappy clients logging on to find that things did not go so swimmingly. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7715 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7715 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:39:00 GMT Trading Block: Special guest Andrew Giovinazzi of Aqumin takes Sebastian and s seat as the all-star gang discusses market madness. The market has become quite the drama queen with global concerns smack the market again. Consumer confidence is still low - this is getting to be a broken record. Commodities rundown - gold and treasuries are where everyone is putting their money. Patent lust has been inflating some smaller tech stocks like NOK, EK, etc. Odd Block: Unusual activities in Seagate Technology (STX), New York Times Co. (NYT) and NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) Xpress Block: What and s been going on behind the scenes at optionsXpress - today was one of those outlier days. Around the Block: The patent wars continue to drive activity in the tech sector – watch your upside. Niche names like CBOE should be faring well in the environment, not following the market down - perhaps there may be some opportunity in the downside? Also, a VIX outlook for the next few sessions. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7704 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7704 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:25:00 GMT TRADING BLOCK Google (GOOG) acquires MMI, which explains some of their strange trading patterns recently. Were rumors leaked out ahead of time? A rundown of GLD, SLV, and commodities. The price of gold - is it realistic? INTERVIEW BLOCK This week and s guest, Russell Rhoads, author and instructor at Options Institute at the CBOE discusses his newest book "Trading VIX Derivatives," as well as hedging VIX options. AROUND THE BLOCK Housing start numbers come out tomorrow and jobless claims come out August 18 - will they move the market significantly. Who and rsquo;s next after MMI? RIMM? NOK? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7663 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7663 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:31:00 GMT Trading Block: An overview of Vix performances for the last week. Is everything rosy again? Treasury auction came out very weak. Jobless claims numbers rallied. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Cisco (CSCO), Asiainfo Holdings Inc. (ASIA) and OmniVision Technologies Inc. (OVTI). Xpress Block: Mr Navabi walks us through what it was like to be at the center of the madness this week at OX. Mail Block: From Tom S, in Cleveland: Does OX offer IRAs? Can you use naked short puts to leg into long equity positions in an OX IRA account? Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses a cash and hedge secured, unlevered bull put spread Around the Block: Not too much in the way of earnings. What and s the outlook for weekend risk? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7640 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7640 Tue, 9 Aug 2011 11:36:00 GMT Trading Block: A fractured round table discusses the bloodbath following the S and P and s downgrading of the US credit rating, including Motorolla (MMI), LinkedIn (LNKD) and Apple (AAPL) Around the Block: Will the sell off continue? Tomorrow may not be the rebound the most people were looking for. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7601 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7601 Fri, 5 Aug 2011 14:38:00 GMT Trading Block: The Bloodbath Begins! Jobless claim records much weaker than expected, getting closer to the Tosaw apocalypse, CBOE takes a hit despite good earnings. Plus Ford, LinkedIn and VIX skew. Metals/Commodities rundown Xpress Block: Mr Navabi runs through a list of interesting/unusual/common/annoying questions received on by Options Express. Also, what to do when facing margin calls. Around the Block: Overnight futures - to buy or not to buy? Is LinkedIn a sign of a turnaround in the market? Will Non Farms add to the bloodbath? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7582 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7582 Tue, 2 Aug 2011 13:51:00 GMT Trading Block: The debt kerfuffle reaches the 11th hour. How ugly could it really get if there is no deal? A rundown of [[meta]]l and oil commodities. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Sonus Networks (SONS), Cable Vision Systems (CVC), Cavium Inc. (CAVM) Xpress Block: Beware of tech IPOs... Mail Block: Mr. Rob Kurzatkowski from the OX dives into questions submitted by listeners. Around the Block: Life after the potential "Tosaw" apocalypse, if a deal is not reached by Tuesday. CEBO, RDN, and Testla Motors earnings, as well as LinkedIn (LNKD) http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7543 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7543 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:28:00 GMT Trading Block: The debt kerfuffle in Washington continues as debates stall. What could happen with a no vote? Exxon misses their earnings, MMI earnings after the bell, and a [meta]ls/commodities breakdown. Also a debate over the future of ISE. Odd Block: Unusual activity in Oshkosh Corp (OSK), Titan International Inc (TWI) and Clearwater (CLWR) Around the Block: Debt ceilings worries continue into the weekend, the VIX and Ford and rsquo;s upcoming auto and truck sales numbers. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7519 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7519 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:24:00 GMT Trading Block: The on-going kerfuffle in Washington, the debt ceiling and its effect on commodities, what happens to VIX and broad market if a deal isn and t reached?, along with a discussion about E-trade (ETFC) Odd Block: Unusual activity in Express Scripts (ESRX), Raptor Pharmaceutical (RTPT), and Sketchers (SKX) Xpress Block: Mr Grigus takes the reins and runs down what and s been going on at Options Express, including: Apple, gold and Dunkin Donuts Around the Block: Live coverage of Netflix earnings as The Widowmaker strikes again! Super Tuesday! Amazon, Ford, Electronic Arts, Eastman-Kodak http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7480 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7480 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:58:00 GMT The Big Live Show is finally here! Join Mark Longo, Tim Navabi, Rob Kurzatkowski, John Grigus, Mike Cavanaugh, Mike Tosaw, Mark Sebastian and special guest Tony Battista for the first-ever live Option Block. In this epic two-and-a-half hour extravaganza, the gang debates everything from LNKD and APPL to NFLX, Oil, GLD and bonds. Throw in live audience questions, a few adult beverages, and you have an episode to remember! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7454 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7454 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:26:00 GMT Do you have plans for this afternoon? Well cancel them, because today is the day you can participate in the first ever live taping of the Option Block. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7441 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7441 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:41:00 GMT Fans of the Option Block can attend a live taping this Thursday in Chicago http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7419 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7419 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:48:00 GMT Mark, Mike, and John discuss the debt crisis, unusual activity, auto trading, and earnings. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7421 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7421 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:06:00 GMT In this episode Mark, Crazy Uncle Mike, and Mark Sebastian talk about the looming debt crisis, upcoming earnings, and the wonder that is AAPL. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7403 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7403 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:01:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Mike Cavanagh, Mark Sebastian, and Rob Kurzatkowski as they discuss broken appendages, LNKD, earnings season and much more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7370 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7370 Fri, 8 Jul 2011 14:05:00 GMT In this episode, Mark, Mike, Tim, and Mark discuss non-farm payrolls, upcoming earnings, Gamma, unusual activity, and the first-ever live taping of the Option Block. Of course, there and s also a digression into the Transformers movie, but that goes without saying... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7340 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7340 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:13:00 GMT In this episode, Mark, Mike, Tim, and Mark interview Dr. Duke about Iron Condors, discuss the Greece situation, look at unusual activity, and talk about the impact of the holiday weekend on option prices. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7268 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7268 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:58:00 GMT In this episode, Mark, Mike, Mark, and Rob discuss the VIX selloff, gamma management, a Grecian formula for the debt crisis, and upcoming economic numbers http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7217 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7217 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:35:00 GMT Mark, Mike, and Tim take on a flat trading day by interviewing Steve Papale, veteran options trader, as well as looking at commodities, unusual activity, and of course, more Transformers. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7171 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7171 Fri, 27 May 2011 12:42:00 GMT Mark, Mike, Mark, and John discuss oases in the trading desert, silver, margin, Rho (the forgotten Greek), and premium selling http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7064 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7064 Tue, 24 May 2011 15:21:00 GMT Mark, John, and Mark are joined by Paul Jiganti from NASDAQ OMX to discuss the new Alpha Indexes. They also talk about the selloff, LinkedIn, and bubbles. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7043 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7043 Fri, 20 May 2011 13:23:00 GMT Mark, Rob, Mark, and Mike discuss the next tech bubble, credit spread roll traps, tackle listener questions, and much much more. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7021 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=7021 Tue, 17 May 2011 15:53:00 GMT Mark, Mike, Mark, and Tim have an extended "Apple Chat" in which they take on incorrect options reporting at Fortune and CNN Money. They also cover the MSFT purchase of Skype, the silver selloff, unusual activity, and make a big announcement. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6997 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6997 Tue, 10 May 2011 12:35:00 GMT Mark and Mike take listeners on a journey from SLV to subprime lending to earnings and more. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6947 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6947 Tue, 3 May 2011 11:31:00 GMT Mark, Mike, Mike, and Mark discuss SLV, the affect of the Bin Laden news on the market, earnings, and more. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6901 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6901 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:40:00 GMT Mark, Mike, and John discuss the never-ending silver upside, margin calls, earnings, and a new options exchange http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6883 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6883 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:53:00 GMT Mark, Mark, and Mike wax nostalgic (again) on Transformers, while discussing crazy SLV volume, NFLX, earnings, and more. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6858 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6858 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:33:00 GMT Mark, Mark, Mike, and Tim discuss Oprah, garage sales, marriage, stallions, and options. Tune in for ideas on AAPL, SLV, CSCO, and volatility. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6846 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6846 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:30:00 GMT With Mark back in the big chair, the Option Block gang takes on news from S and P, treasuries, earnings, Citi, and listener questions. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6819 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6819 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:21:00 GMT Uncle Mike is back at the helm as he, Mark Sebastian, and John Grigus talk SLV, GLD, forex, earnings season, and trading halts. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6802 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6802 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:27:00 GMT Uncle Mike Tosaw is in the host chair for this episode while Mark is away on special assignment. In this episode, Mike, Mark Sebastian, and Tim Navabi walk through the wonderful, if not sometimes perplexing world of options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6773 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6773 Thu, 7 Apr 2011 09:15:00 GMT The Option Block Gang is joined by Jeff Augen, well-known options author and self-proclaimed "most pessimistic man you will ever meet." http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6744 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6744 Tue, 5 Apr 2011 12:15:00 GMT Mark, Mark and Rob wax nostaligic on childhood toys while discussing Bernanke and s pre-interview effect on the market, copper, Southwest airlines, and Uncle Mike phones it in on financial advisers. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6732 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6732 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:15:00 GMT LIVE FROM FIA - In this episode, Mark is joined by Don Montanaro, CEO of Trade King. Mark and Don sat courtside (croquet) at the FIA Conference in Boca Raton and discussed the brutal competition in the retail options space. They also explored the strategy behind TradeKing and s new pricing as well as the firm and s battle to remain a leader on the social/community front. Finally, Mark and Don discuss TradeKing and s interesting decision to open their trading platform to outside developers. All that and more, live from courtside at FIA. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6658 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6658 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:31:00 GMT Volatility. Schwab. OX. Reader questions. There is so much in this episode, it and s a must. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6645 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6645 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:24:00 GMT Trading Block: Japanese dead cat bounce? S and P 500 1260 magnet. Fear is in the air, traders are getting defensive. Commodity prices up. Interview Block: Chris Wilson from Cycle Spreads talks about far out-of-the money trades, including bear call spreads, and bull put spreads. Chris also discusses what and s in the "secret sauce" of risk management, and deep out-of-the-money credit spreads. Odd Block: VSI: ADV = 28 contracts. Thursday saw 5,000 May collars traded. Could it be in anticipation of 4/20 earnings? Red Hat: Earnings 3/23. With a Apr 44-45 call spread going up, is someone looking for a rally into earnings? VIP: Earnings before the bell on Thursday, someone sold Sep 12.5 puts 10,000 times. xpress/Spread block: Commodities strong, Japan looking better than worse. Rob K. likes cocoa and natural gas. Around the Block: All eyes on Japan. Volatility opens up good opportunities to get in and out of time spreads. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6629 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6629 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:46:00 GMT In this abbreviated edition of the Option Block, Uncle Mike Tosaw takes the reins and interviews Craig Severson of the Options Linebacker, and discusses the ramifications of the disaster in Japan with Joe Cusick, head of education at optionsXpress. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6592 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6592 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:17:00 GMT One of the most important lessons that I learnt as an options trader was the concept of selling something to pay for something else. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6572 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6572 Tue, 8 Mar 2011 14:41:00 GMT What would a month be in the options biz if we didn and t get some new volatility index or ETF to play with? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6556 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6556 Tue, 1 Mar 2011 11:59:00 GMT Trading Block: Continued Libyan unrest; AAPL on the rise, but can it go higher? Commodity shuffle: gold, sliver, crude. Odd Block: SPLS: earnings approaching, Monday saw a 9.2:1 call-to-put ratio.  MRVL: call spread revisisted, earnings after the close on Thursday. International Paper: Sizable put sellers on the March 19 strike. Spread Block: Leveraged ETFs resetting price, FAZ, SKF see reverse splits. POT has traditional split; Commodity ETFs in play; Equity mixed bag. Around the Block: NFLX vs. AMZN: a race to the bottom? Natural gas watch. Eye on volatility.  Employment numbers on Friday - Sebastian predicts a huge miss. Xpresso Newsletter features gold, beige book. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6505 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6505 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:39:00 GMT Mark is joined by David Fisher, CEO of optionsXpress, whose firm won The Options Insider Award for Broker of the Year. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6478 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6478 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:16:00 GMT Trading Block: S and P, Dow, Nasdaq down, Consumer confidence up. Oil hits two year high. AAPL Christmas tree risk reversal. Amazon free streaming goes live. Odd Block: Bears come down to Iron Mountain (IRM) with 4x normal volume. Carnival Cruise (CCL) cruising in bearish waters, but contrarians see a life boat. THC - review of suspicious call buying. *** OX / Spread Block: OX traders burnt out on bullish GLD turn to neutral strategies: butterflies and calendar spreads. Brent crude/WTI crude spread action. Bearish AAPL order flow. *** Around the Block: AAPL, NFLX, GDP. Upcoming earnings: Garmin, GM, THC. Libya...pushing VIX to 30?? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6469 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6469 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:53:00 GMT * Trading Block: No love for MSFT + Nokia; FCG natural gas ETF; Silver streak; crude oil * Odd Block: Delta neutral explained; EXPE bullish risk reversal; Colgate Palmolive - you and re soaking in it; TWC; RBBD * Spread Block: Automated quotes on the auto phone line; Surveys coming to OX customers; Vote now on the wish list * Around the Block: Housing starts; CPI; Tech earnings galore; More downside left in crude?: 1 x 2 Ratio calendars http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6418 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6418 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:17:00 GMT * TRADING BLOCK: CSCO DOWN OFF EARNINGS, WHAT TO WITH WITH YOUR SHORT FEB 20 CSCO PUTS,MARCH 18-20 CSCO RISK REVERSAL IS SUPERIOR TO NAKED LONG CALLS OR SHORT PUTS,LEGGING FROM A RISK REVERSAL INTO A BULLISH VERTICAL CALL SPREAD. * THE BIG APPLE BLOCK: HOW ARE RETAIL CUSTOMERS LOOKING AT APPLE and APPLE OPTIONS THESE DAYS; MANAGING APPLE STRADDLES; APPLE OPTIONS PRICING OUT RETAIL CLIENTS; ARE APPLE and S BEST DAY and S BEHIND IT; APPLE and S DOMINANCE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN; DOES APPLE HAVE A DEEP BENCH TO REPLACE JOBS; NH LEGISLATURE LOOKING TO REPLACE ALL GOVERNMENTAL PAPER USE WITH IPADS - THE START OF A NEW TREND FOR APPLE WITH FEDERAL CONTRACTS? * ODD BLOCK: VERY SUSPICIOUS CALL ACTIVITY IN THC * XPRESS BLOCK: OX CUSTOMER PLAYING HEAVILY IN COMMODITY ETS AND FUTURES; OX CUSTOMERS HOPING BOND MARKET HAS FOUND A BOTTOM; OX CUSTOMERS HAVE NO CONSENSUS ON THE BROAD MARKET RIGHT NOW...STRATEGIES ARE MIXED BETWEEN LONG AND SHORT; STEVE JOBS = BORIS YELSTIN? * AROUND THE BLOCK: EXCHANGE TANGO; CBOE RIPE FOR A TAKEOVER?; WILL CME PULL THE TRIGGER?; CBOE/CME COMBO WOULD BE A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR FUTURES/OPTIONS PORTFOLIO MARGINING; ISE, NYSE ARCA AND AMEX OPTIONS EXCHANGES ALL UNDER ONE ROOF? WHICH EXCHANGE IS THE ODD MAN OUT?; CMG EARNINGS EXPLOSION; WILL ICE JUMP INTO THE FRAY AGAIN? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6408 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6408 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 12:22:00 GMT * Trading Block: VIX vs. VXX; Financialls rally; AOL + HuffPo; Oil on the move; AAPL upgrade + low vol = ?? * Odd Block: BAX Aug 55 Calls sell 25k times; Rollin and shorts: BPOP 10x normal volume * Xpress / Spread Block: Commodities on the move: Cotton, lean hogs, oats, wheat natural gas, rough rice, cattle; Top in natural gas? Most traded stocks at OX: SPY, AAPL, SPX, QQQQ, F, FFIV, BAC, GE. * Strategy Block: Incorporated weeklys into strategies: ratio spread, vertical spread, horizontal spread * Around the Block: Jobless claims; Earnings watch: Cisco, Activision, Chipotle http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6373 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6373 Fri, 4 Feb 2011 14:07:00 GMT Trading Block:Commodities moving; Ford vs GM vs Tesla - which straddle are you buying?; SPX Downside skew starting to soften; the importance of staying cool ** Odd Block: Bulls love Tyson chicken; Massive vertical call spread in YHOO; Bullish bets or rolling down an established long position?; ERTS call sellers go off a cliff ** Xpress Block: Important lessosn for beginning futures traders; Watch your stops on LIFFE - they may vanish before your eyes; Explaining price improvement auctions; The unintended consequences of flash regulation in the options market. ** Around the Block: Non-farm payroll; CMG off to the races - earnings coming up; CSCO earnings on the horizon; Short downside puts in Tesla?? Look for support at 20; Where is the best entry point in Goldman Sachs?; ATVI earnings coming up - will it be another explosion like ERTS? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6357 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6357 Tue, 1 Feb 2011 13:46:00 GMT **Trading Block: Egyptian ripple effect; crude oil hits $100, GLD closes down; A tale of two VIX. **Odd Block: MAT sees 5k Feb 24 straddles trade at 1.50; Bears eat up EXM; CVLT doubles open interest. **Xpress Block: Crude oil futures vs. ETFs; Avoiding VXX; Xpresso authors webinar coming in Feb. **Strategy Block: Coming down from butterfly mountain. **Around the Block: Crude inventories, non-farm payrolls, and housing data; All eyes on Egypt. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6330 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6330 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:48:00 GMT * Trading Block: NFLX Options Frenzy; Commodity Retracement; AMZN and MSFT Earnings Previews. * Odd Block: EK Review - those bulls were terribly wrong; Bears devouring GNK OTM puts; Bullish risk reversal in MJN, Size bulls playing in LOW, Massive put sale in ITG. * Spread Block: Xpresso futures recommendations, OX customer activity in NFLX and F. * Around the Block: VIX futures no longer pricing in a substantial premium beyond Feb?; F earnings on the horizon. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6303 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6303 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:33:00 GMT * Trading Block: Da Bears!, Flirting, finance style--Dow near 12,000, S and P 500 close to 1300; Tech, Tech, Tech; JCP, RSH, SLV, GLD. * Odd Block: Bulls snapping EK; VMW--large bear put spread into earnings; CNO--seriously sizable combo. * Spread Block: OI Newsletter readers choose OX as broker of the year; OX rings bell at Nasdaq and CBOE; a virtual tour of CBOE and s trading floor. * Strategy Block: Back to basics--how to buy a call. * Around the Block: Economic indicators--FOMC and GDP; NFLX earnings on Wednesday; RDN revisited and unleashed; Fifty cent on penny stocks. The Option Block All-Star Panel Includes: o Mark Longo - The Options Insider o Mike Tosaw - Know Your Options Inc. o Mark Sebastian - Option Pit o John Grigus - OptionsXpress * Special Option Block Listener Promo: Be sure to visit Option Pit and use the Coupon Code: OI2011 to receive $100 off their latest mentoring package. * Dial 866-903-1822 to request a free custom webinar with "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from Know Your Options Inc. Custom webinars can designed around the options topic of your choice. Space is limited, so call soon to reserve your webinar. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6275 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6275 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:32:00 GMT Readers of the Options Insider newsletter were asked to select their top choice for the first annual Broker of the Year award. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6265 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6265 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:23:00 GMT * Trading Block: AAPL sauce, AAPL juice, AAPL pie: Steve Jobs, earnings, risk management, and drinking the Kool-Aid. Also, Citi disappoints the Street, but financials look strong. * Odd Block: CY: over 4x regular volume on a new 52-week high, but is the party over? EBAY, continuing bearish sentiment as one bear buys 15,000 July 26 puts and earnings out on Wednesday. RDW, printing volume in the Jan 9 and s and 10 and s. * Spread Block: AAPL, selling premium into earnings. Citi traders liking $5 calls. Silver pops. OX testing a new version of Xtend, and it and s easy on the eyes. * Around the Block: AAPL earnings out as the panel speaks, gains erase all the morning and s overreactions. Goldman earnings Wednesday before the market opens. On the 20th, AMD, IBM, and Southwest. Housing starts driving market? Expiration week. SPX watch...is it hitting resistance? Is gold topping out Special Option Block Listener Promo: Be sure to visit Option Pit and use the Coupon Code: OI2011 to receive $100 off their latest mentoring package. Dial 866-903-1822 to request a free custom webinar with "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from Know Your Options Inc. Custom webinars can designed around the options topic of your choice. Space is limited, so call soon to reserve your webinar. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6238 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6238 Wed, 5 Jan 2011 11:33:00 GMT * TRADING BLOCK: Russell 2000 is a dangerous place for premium sellers; Metals apocalypse; Digging into AAPL volatility. * ODD BLOCK: Strange activity in GNK; RDN Roundup - Is rdn poised for a rally? Option bulls seem to think so. Also, the stupid way to do dividend trades. * STRATEGY BLOCK: Combos and Ratio Combos - what they are and when to use them. * AROUND THE BLOCK - Tech stock movements ahead of CES; Keep an eye on the commodities. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6149 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6149 Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:34:00 GMT * TRADING BLOCK: China stalls market by hiking interests rates, When will we take our medicine in this market, Has CSCO finally turned the corner? Is it time to buy? Can the FLIP save CSCO? * ODD BLOCK: INSIDERS AND ANGRY BEARS Tear Into TSLA, BULLS ARE FINALLY BACK IN VISA, DESPITE NOREASTER, BULLS MOVE INTO MACY and S CALLS. * INTERVIEW BLOCK: PHIL GUZIG FROM MORNINGSTAR DISCUSSES HIS TWO OPTIONS PORTFOLIOS - PAY ME NOW AND PAY ME LATER. * AROUND THE BLOCK -VIX - up or down in 2011, tech traders pay attention to CES. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6105 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6105 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 02:27:00 GMT * TRADING BLOCK: RIMM surprises, Fedex leads market higher with positive guidance, Gold and Silver poised to retreat for rest of the year. * ODD BLOCK: Bulls moving into NASDAQ, Takeover spec driving calls in MON, Idiots still short DG 30 Puts, RDN still active.* XPRESS/SPREAD BLOCK: How do ETF dividends work? A life lesson in VISA downside puts? * AROUND THE BLOCK: Apple volatility trending toward record lows. Time to buy Apple premium? * INTERVIEW BLOCK: Jim Bittman, the lead instructor at the Options Institute, discusses options education and what is on the horizon for the Options Institute. Special Option Block Listener Promo: Be sure to visit Option Pit and use the Coupon Code: OI2011 to receive $100 off their latest mentoring package. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6047 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6047 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:56:00 GMT * TRADING BLOCK: Healthcare is unconstitutional, bull market for foreclosures - is booting people out of their homes good for the economy?, commodity rundown, playing weather with FCOJ.* ODD BLOCK: WHAT THE F IS GOING ON IN RDN?, glw bulls devour calls, weird activity in cfn. * XPRESS/SPREAD BLOCK: Be sure to know your risk when trading options. * STRATEGY BLOCK: Levered ETFs vs. futures/options - the double decay dilemma.* AROUND THE BLOCK: GOOG antitrust, customers flocking to high-end retail and away from low-end, how to trade Apple. Special Option Block Listener Promo: Be sure to visit Option Pit and use the Coupon Code: OI2011 to receive $100 off their latest mentoring package. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6024 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=6024 Fri, 3 Dec 2010 16:24:00 GMT TRADING BLOCK: The bulls are back in force. Can anything stop them? Strong retail sales and housing numbers keep the rally in high gear. Commodity Roundup for Gold, Silver, Oil and Copper. ODD BLOCK: Traders find KKD tasty, Bulls circling JPM, Massive roll of the dice in ITMN, bears have their claws out for NYT. XPRESS/SPREAD BLOCK: Cramer loves OX, OX customers are still in love with [[meta]]ls. INTERVIEW BLOCK: The panel is joined by Anrew Giovinazzi from Aqumin. Andrew discusses his new product that helps options traders take a visual approach to volatility. AROUND THE BLOCK: The rally makes everyone nervous. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5962 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5962 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:13:00 GMT TRADING BLOCK: Market has a huge range, but time decay wreaks havoc with the VIX. Black Friday is a mixed bag. Ireland bailout leaves the market wary. Commodity Roundup: Gold, Silver, Oil and Corn are on the move. ODD BLOCK: BCS Put Explosion, Takeover Chatter drives call frenzy in FRX, Size ratio put spread in XRT, Bulls circling in VRSN. XPRESS/SPREAD BLOCK: What the heck happened with SPY settlement last week? STRATEGY BLOCK: Theta vs. Gamma - whichever wins, you lose... AROUND THE BLOCK: Employment numbers dominate the horizon... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5928 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5928 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:31:00 GMT TRADING BLOCK: Ireland starts off the conversation. Will Ireland be able to survive a bailout with its corporate tax incentives in place? The panel also discusses the insider trading scandal at Goldman and the prevalence of insider trading in the options market. ODD BLOCK: DG Put Bonanza, MELA, HPQ, CSCO. XPRESS/SPREAD BLOCK: The best/worst way to autotrade on the OX platform. STRATEGY BLOCK: Why selling covered calls isn and t the same thing as collecting rental income. AROUND THE BLOCK: More discussion of time decay, Black Friday looms large, keep an eye on Friday and s shortened trading session as it may present a cheap volatility opportunity. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5905 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5905 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:04:00 GMT TRADING BLOCK: Asian summit, economic stimulus, retail sales, gold and silver finally taking the turn, Euro down 1%, Ireland is not Greece, gold volatility skew. ODD BLOCK: NOK, MTG, CTXS, MSFT. STRATEGY BLOCK - How do div plays work? XPRESS/SPREAD BLOCK: Unsung commodities, china crushes cotton, copper. AROUND THE BLOCK: Pricing out thanksgiving, gm IPO, ppi on tuesday, cpi on weds. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5842 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5842 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:48:00 GMT Live From FIA Chicago - Mark is joined by Dax Rodriguez, the new President of Livevol Inc. Mark and Dax discuss the many changes that have occurred at Livevol since the firm and s last appearance on the program. Dax also hints at the upcoming Livevol X platform, which may, or may not, finally add the execution element that so many users want. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5848 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5848 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:24:00 GMT "Live" from FIA Chicago - Mark is joined by Biju Kulathakal and Steve Hoffman from Trading Block, the latest entrant to the options brokerage wars. What does Trading Block bring to the table? Can the retail market handle yet another options brokerage firm? Is Trading Block and s focus on basic retail a smart strategy? Tune in to find out... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5803 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5803 Tue, 9 Nov 2010 23:46:00 GMT The gang debates whether the VIX is oversold or fairly valued in the Trading Block. PFE, SLW, PCLN and LVS dominate The Odd Block. Mark Sebastian breaks down the vagaries of a VXX split in The Strategy Block. Finally, the gang debates whether IBM has lost its mojo in Around The Block. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5781 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5781 Fri, 5 Nov 2010 18:03:00 GMT The Option Block Episode 9: Live From FIA Chicago - Collars, Apple Buys Sony? This episode was recorded live at the Futures Industry Expo in Chicago. In the Trading Block, the panel discusses the impact of the election and the pullbacks in gold and silver. In the Odd Block, they break down unusual Activity in LM, EOG and GDXJ. In the Xpress/Spread Block, Tim runs through common customer inquiries at OX. In the Strategy Block, Mark and Mike review the latest OIC collar study and discuss the proper way to construct a collar. Finally, in Around The Block, the panel discusses the impact of QE2 and speculates on possible Apple acquisitions of Sony and Nintendo. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5770 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5770 Tue, 2 Nov 2010 00:55:00 GMT The Option Block Episode 8: Election Madness. It and s all about the election this week in the Trading Block and Around The Block as the panel discusses the impact of tomorrow and s vote. In the Odd Block, Mark and Mark run through the quick hits of unusual activity, although don and t hold out hope for any steak sauce. In the Xpress/Spread Block, Rob lays out some interesting names that are drawing the attention of OX and s customers. Finally, Mike Tosaw discusses the pros and cons of stock pairs in The Strategy Block. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5737 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5737 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 23:01:00 GMT While Mark continues to dial in from poolside in Florida, The Option Block team is joined by special guest panelist Bill Luby from VIX and More. The panel discusses the vagaries of the VIX and debates the value of the VIX as a hedging tool. The panel also discusses unusual options activity in SKS, RSH, MOT and HRB. In the Xpress Block, John breaks down the growing customer interest in currency options, particularly World Currency Options. Finally, the panel looks ahead to next week and s earnings and debates the impact of the penny pilot on retail options traders. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5667 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5667 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:51:00 GMT In The Trading Block, our panel discusses the growing battle between tech titans Apple, Microsoft and Google, as well as the current outlook for IBM. In The Odd Block, they explore unusual options activity in WHR, LNC, GE, AAPL and IBM. In The Xpress Block, OptionsXpress explores recent customer activity in GOOG, including a surge of selling activity in the 540 straddle. In the Strategy Block, Mike Tosaw explores the benefits of using a 1x2 ratio put spread to leg into an equity position. Finally, our panelists break down the coming wave of earnings in Around The Block. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5643 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5643 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:21:00 GMT Trading Block: What the heck is going on with the VIX term structure? Odd Block: CBS, VCI, DLTR, HUM and HRB. Spread/Xpress Block: OX customers are bullish on Apple, even as the panelists debate the future of the Iphone and Ipad. Strategy Block: How to get a handle on your risk exposure. Around The Block: Google and GE earnings lurk on the horizon this week. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5604 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5604 Fri, 8 Oct 2010 11:26:00 GMT Welcome to the premiere episode of The Option Block. Join our all-star panel as they break down the latest unusual activity (SOLF, RCL and BMC), strategies (when to use futures options vs. equity options) and customer activity (CRM lights up the OptionsXpress phone bank) from the options market. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5565 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5565 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:09:00 GMT Data and opinion on just how successful the new weekly stock and index options are is still a work in progress. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5506 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5506 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:41:00 GMT First it was monthly options. Then came weekly options expiration dates. If there is a way to bet on it, Wall Street will figure out a way to butcher it further it seems. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5507 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5507 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:43:00 GMT Welcome to another sneak preview of the newest addition to the Options Insider Radio Network - The Option Block. Join our all-star panel as they break down the latest unusual activity, strategies and customer activity from the options market. Unusual activity breakdown for: LUV, AMR, GMCR. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5487 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5487 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:48:00 GMT OptionsXpress Broker Rundown: includes updated commission data. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5035 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=5035 Fri, 4 Jun 2010 22:36:00 GMT In 2005, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) attributed the tax gap for 2001 to taxpayers misreporting $11 billion worth of capital gains or losses. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to analyze the misreporting and the actions the IRS takes and to suggest ways to improve taxpayer compliance. The GAO ultimately recommended that brokers be required to report cost basis information to the IRS. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4659 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4659 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:19:00 GMT Brokers have complicated and long commission structures. Each one claims to have the best pricing but that really depends on who you are as a trader. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4210 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4210 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:03:00 GMT Lightspeed Trading is the next feature in our ongoing look at online retail brokers http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4166 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4166 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:49:00 GMT Zecco Trading is up next in our feature looking at online retail brokers. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4143 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4143 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:50:00 GMT Coverage of online retail brokers continues with AB Watley... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4133 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4133 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:04:00 GMT WallStreet*E is the next online retail broker in our ongoing series http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4124 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4124 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:58:00 GMT TradeMONSTER is the next broker featured in our ongoing feature. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4113 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4113 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:03:00 GMT Coverage of online retail brokers continues with TradeKing http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4098 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4098 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:56:00 GMT Our coverage of online retail brokers continues with thinkorswim... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4090 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4090 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:02:00 GMT Our coverage of online retail brokers continues with TD Ameritrade... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4078 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4078 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:55:00 GMT Our coverage of online retail brokers continues with SogoTrade... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4069 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4069 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:02:00 GMT Coverage of online retail brokers continues with ShareBuilder. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4057 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4057 Tue, 9 Mar 2010 09:54:00 GMT Our ongoing coverage of online retail brokers continues with Scottrade... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4044 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4044 Fri, 5 Mar 2010 10:01:00 GMT Coverage of online retail brokers continues with Charles Schwab http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4028 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4028 Thu, 4 Mar 2010 09:53:00 GMT Our coverage of online retail brokers continues with Questrade... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4017 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4017 Wed, 3 Mar 2010 09:53:00 GMT Our rundown of retail options brokers continues with OptionsHouse... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4002 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=4002 Tue, 2 Mar 2010 11:41:00 GMT Our rundown of online retail brokers continues with optionsXpress... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3993 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3993 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT Our coverage of online retail brokers continues with InvesTrade http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3985 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3985 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:50:00 GMT Our rundown of retail options brokers continues with Interactive Brokers... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3973 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3973 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:00:00 GMT Our rundown of retail options brokers continues with Firstrade.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3968 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3968 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:51:00 GMT Our rundown of retail options brokers continues with Fidelity... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3950 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3950 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:57:00 GMT Our rundown of retail options brokers continues with E*TRADE... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3955 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3955 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:58:00 GMT Our rundown of retail options brokers continues with eOption... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3943 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3943 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:59:00 GMT Our rundown of retail options brokers begins with ChoiceTrade... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3930 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3930 Tue, 1 Dec 2009 00:17:00 GMT There have been many interesting experiments in the options brokerage space. Firms have offered unique tools, platforms and even products in an attempt to lure new customers. But none of these experiments were as novel, or generated as many questions from our readers, as the flat rate commission offered by OptionsHouse... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3531 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3531 Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:09:00 GMT Who should buy options (ordinary or "exotic"), and who should sell? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3401 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3401 Mon, 2 Nov 2009 01:09:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Mike Tosaw, Financial Advisor, Know Your Options Inc. Mark and Mike explore several different ways to implement options into equity portfolios. They also discuss the common mistakes made by retail option investors and the rise of arrogant condor traders. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3385 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3385 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:36:00 GMT The conclusion of Mark and s far-reaching conversation with Ned Bennett, Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of OptionsXpress. Ned and Mark debate the relative merits of Optionetic and s marketing tactics. They also discuss the long-term impact of the merger on OptionsXpress. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3244 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3244 Tue, 6 Oct 2009 02:05:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Ned Bennett, Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of OptionsXpress. Ned responds to growing criticism of the Optionetics acquisition, including the recent Barron and s article entitled and OptionsXpress Out Of The Money. and http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3204 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3204 Fri, 2 Oct 2009 00:17:00 GMT Many times I get the same question over and over again and although I am not thrilled to write a whole article on the topic of "a bad tick," the repeated appearance of the question pretty much compels me to do so. The question comes from my email box and in the shortest possible terms, the various students ask: "How can we tell with certainty that something IS or is NOT a bad tick?" http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3185 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3185 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:16:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Joe Cusick, Senior VP of Education at OptionsXpress. Mark and Joe discuss the controversial Optionetics acquisition. How will this deal impact the educational and content offerings at OptionsXpress? Can the radically different approaches to education and promotion at the two firms even be reconciled? In addition, Mark and Joe discuss futures trading and the common mistakes of new options traders. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3060 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3060 Fri, 4 Sep 2009 23:41:00 GMT OptionsHouse CEO George Ruhana responds to the many rumors circulating about his firm... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3006 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=3006 Wed, 5 Aug 2009 00:04:00 GMT I am often asked by my option students how I filter the overwhelming amount of information which gets displayed on the option chain. This article is aimed at explaining the importance of a handful of selected variables that appear at the option chain. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2815 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2815 Mon, 3 Aug 2009 07:56:00 GMT Mark will be appearing on ONN around 11:15am (PST). He will also be a featured panelist for the "Managing Risk and Exploiting Opportunities With Options" session at 3:45pm (PST) http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2795 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2795 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:10:00 GMT There are only a few weeks left in The Great Options Insider Iphone Giveaway... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2779 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2779 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:13:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Randy Frederick, Director of Derivatives and Trading at Charles Schwab. Mark and Randy discuss the recent overhaul to Schwab and s options trading platform. Other topics include: Randy and s options repair strategy for equity traders and the outlook for the options market in 2009. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2556 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2556 Fri, 5 Jun 2009 01:01:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Robert Newhouse, CEO, Ballista Securities and Keith Landsberg, EVP - Business Development, Ballista Securities. Mark, Robert and Keith discuss the rise of third-party facilitation networks, aka dark pools, in the options market. They also discuss the impact of the financial meltdown, regulatory reform and penny pricing on Ballista and s business. Finally, they respond to BOX and s veiled threat to invade the crossing space and establish a competing facilitation platform. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2457 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2457 Mon, 1 Jun 2009 01:11:00 GMT Exclusive OIC 2009 Panel Audio: The Great ETF Migration. Panelists: Andy Nybo, TABB Group (moderator); Scott Burns, Morningstar; Jamie Farmer, Dow Jones Indexes; Sid Jain, Keefe, Bruyette and Woods; Rob Stein, Astor Financial http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2422 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2422 Fri, 15 May 2009 22:31:00 GMT Exclusive OIC 2009 Panel Audio: The Tech Arms Race http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2327 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2327 Tue, 12 May 2009 23:14:00 GMT In this "live" episode from OIC 2009, Mark sits down with George Ruhana, the new CEO of Optionshouse. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2299 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2299 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:48:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2150 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=2150 Tue, 3 Mar 2009 00:24:00 GMT Are the different levels of option approval in place to protect us, the traders, or are they in place to protect the brokers, or possibly both parties? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1919 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1919 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:38:00 GMT After filling up some loopholes with my previous article, Back to the Basics, I continue the discussion here with another commonly overlooked area of option trading – option level approval. Brokers assign to their clients, at the time when the account is being opened, one of several option approval levels supposedly based on the option trader and s knowledge and needs. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1864 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1864 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:05:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1848 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1848 Thu, 8 Jan 2009 00:54:00 GMT Happy 2009, folks! Just wanted to kick off the new trading year with a few suggested resolutions for options traders. Add these to your 2009 list... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1687 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1687 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:08:00 GMT This article highlights the difference between being an options buyer and an options casino... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1629 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1629 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:10:00 GMT A number of readers have e-mailed me requesting both a further explanation and interpretation of the option chains. This article is aimed at explaining, in greater detail, how to read the option chain in order to make a better trading decision. This scrutiny of the option chain can give us better insight into the bias of options market makers... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1597 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1597 Mon, 8 Dec 2008 00:40:00 GMT A number of readers have e-mailed me requesting both a further explanation and interpretation of the option chains. This article is aimed at explaining, in greater detail, how to read the option chain in order to make a better trading decision. This scrutiny of the option chain can give us better insight into the bias of options market makers... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1587 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1587 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:10:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Tony Scianna and Peter Hauser of SunGard. Mark, Tony and Peter dive into the expansive, and often confusing, world of options trading software. This wide-ranging conversation explores all aspects of options software from trading and position analysis to clearing and risk management. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1517 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1517 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:27:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1499 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1499 Fri, 7 Nov 2008 14:45:00 GMT Which candidate did options traders prefer in the recent presidential election? Which issues do they feel are the most pressing for the next administration? What are the leading trade triggers for options traders? Are options traders bullish or bearish right now? Which sectors are the most popular with options traders? Find out here.... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1466 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1466 Thu, 6 Nov 2008 10:38:00 GMT Are we witnessing the premature death of an innovative new product? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1458 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1458 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:57:00 GMT A brief rundown of the latest headlines from the options market. Topics covered include: ISE and NYSE Arca join forces in the forex market, the VIX roller coaster ride continues, concerns mount over possible VIX settlement manipulation, ICE and CME face-off over credit derivatives, Buffet vs. Greenspan, SEC/CFTC merger finally on the horizon and more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1432 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1432 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:53:00 GMT A brief rundown of the latest headlines from the options market. Topics covered include: new options volume records, the VIX roller coaster ride continues, BOX vs. NASDAQ, the end of backdating, unusual options activity and more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1397 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1397 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:26:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1359 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1359 Wed, 1 Oct 2008 02:46:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Don Montanaro, CEO of retail brokerage firm TradeKing. Mark and Don discuss the challenges facing new retail options brokers as well as the benefits offered by Fixed Return Options (FROs). http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1299 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1299 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:55:00 GMT In this episode, Mark is joined by Randy Frederick, Director of Derivatives at Charles Schwab and Co. Mark and Randy explore the dynamic, dysfunctional and sometimes dangerous world of retail options trading... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1222 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1222 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:13:00 GMT I had a chance to review some of the endless stream of options trading advertising that I receive. Usually, I just toss them into the trash. Lately there seems to be two consistent themes. First, companies emphasizing their winning percentage of trades, and how that must imply a winning trading system. And those offering advice and systems on how to trade options "simply". I and m somewhat upset by what I and ve seen and I reject both of these premises. Here are my reasons why... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1197 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1197 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:12:00 GMT Newsletter subscribers should check their email in-boxes. The latest issue of the Options Insider email newsletter is now available... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1122 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1122 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:18:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1098 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1098 Tue, 5 Aug 2008 01:26:00 GMT It and s now easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the latest information from the options market. Options Insider members can now upgrade their accounts to receive free daily, weekly or and as-it-happens" email alerts... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1039 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1039 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:50:00 GMT More answers to common options questions including: Are options market makers crooks? How do I trade conversions/reversals? I and ve heard of delta neutral trading, but how do I create a gamma neutral position and much more... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=990 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=990 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:12:00 GMT Newsletter subscribers should check their email in-boxes. The latest issue of the Options Insider Newsletter is now available. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=984 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=984 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:08:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=945 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=945 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:43:00 GMT www.TheOptionsInsider.com and s Discussion Center members have always been able to subscribe to individual threads. However, they haven and t had an easy way to track activity across the entire forum...until now. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=932 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=932 Tue, 13 May 2008 10:50:00 GMT Options Insider Radio "live" from the Options Industry Conference in Las Vegas. In this episode, Mark is joined by John Hass, CEO of Options House. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=786 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=786 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:56:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=717 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=717 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:04:00 GMT A fresh episode of Options Insider Radio is now available... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=685 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=685 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:10:00 GMT Calculating when to write a covered call... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=673 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=673 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:13:00 GMT Why and when should I invest in a covered call? Which covered calls are best for me? In this report, we review some helpful covered call calculations so you can make these decisions. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=669 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=669 Tue, 4 Mar 2008 11:22:00 GMT In this episode, Mark sits down with Tony McCormick, Senior Vice President of Equity Options at Charles Schwab. Mark and Tony discuss the fading optimism over penny pricing in the options market. They also discuss competition in the retail brokerage space and whether Schwab (and other brokers) will soon be forced to raise their options commissions. In addition, Mark explores the latest options headlines and responds to a forum member and s question about put options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=631 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=631 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:45:00 GMT And the winner is... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=623 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=623 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:47:00 GMT The options industry continues to set new trading records every year. Unfortunately, despite this explosion in volume, many financial professionals remain skeptical of the options market. In recent years, the options industry has spent millions of dollars developing automated buy-write products to lure these reticent customers into the fold... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=607 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=607 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:39:00 GMT The term buy-write is completely foreign to most retail investors. In fact, more than a few professional traders scratch their heads whenever they hear this strange piece of options jargon. But help is finally on the way... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=601 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=601 Fri, 8 Feb 2008 16:56:00 GMT We announce the next winner of our one-year anniversary giveaway... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=583 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=583 Fri, 1 Feb 2008 12:23:00 GMT We announce the first winner of our one-year anniversary giveaway... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=564 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=564 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 04:01:00 GMT I and m sad to report that fixed return options (aka FROs) will cease trading this spring, at least for a while... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1730 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=1730 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:33:00 GMT Examining the curious phenomenon known as preferenced trading... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=520 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=520 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:34:00 GMT Examining the curious phenomenon known as preferenced trading... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=519 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=519 Tue, 8 Jan 2008 09:37:00 GMT In this episode, Mark sits down with both the CEO and the President of 3D Markets - David Mortimer and Jeromee Johnson. Mark, David and Jeromee discuss the inherent difficulties of block trading in the options market. In addition, Mark explores the latest options headlines and finally answers your burning questions about dollar strikes. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=517 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=517 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:41:00 GMT Exploring the most divisive issue in the history of the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=476 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=476 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:43:00 GMT Exploring the most divisive issue in the history of the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=473 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=473 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:43:00 GMT Exploring the most divisive issue in the history of the options market... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=470 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=470 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:11:00 GMT A look at the performance of portfolio margin during the highly volatile month of August... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=423 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=423 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:24:00 GMT An examination of how portfolio margining affects index option positions... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=411 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=411 Mon, 1 Oct 2007 10:30:00 GMT There is only one question about portfolio margining that matters to traders and investors - what does it mean for your account? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=396 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=396 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:31:00 GMT The benefits of portfolio margining may seem obvious to most options users. However, the path that portfolio margining took to reach the options market was long and rocky... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=393 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=393 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:32:00 GMT You and ve asked for it. Now it and s finally here. Join us for the beginning of our series on portfolio margining... http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=390 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=390 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:22:00 GMT At the end of the day, all traders should be just as willing to trade short as to trade long. If you and re not comfortable trading short, then you are cutting out half of your arsenal. In all my years in the market, I and ve never known a trader that became successful with one hand tied behind his back! http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=341 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=341 Thu, 9 Aug 2007 11:24:00 GMT You can often tell the trading sophistication of someone by their market bias. If they are always looking at the long side, in other words, always wanting to buy, they are probably new to the game. There and s many stock traders who don and t even know what "selling short" means. Read on to see why you need to sell short to prosper, especially when trading commodity futures and for writing options. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=336 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=336 Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:09:00 GMT In today and s market, most binary contracts fall into the category of event derivatives. While these binary event derivatives are intriguing, their unique nature and illiquid markets have prevented them from achieving broad acceptance. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=284 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=284 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:12:00 GMT Binary derivatives are all the rage these days. But what are these products and why should you be interested in them? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=280 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=280 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:16:00 GMT The bottom line is that a bad discount broker can wipe out years of commission savings with one big error. So, while the commissions may be cheaper at a discount broker, the end costs can be far more than you anticipate. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=273 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=273 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:17:00 GMT "Is he worth it?" Have you ever asked yourself this question after doing a transaction with a full service broker? If you could make a list of things he must do to earn your business, what would they be? See if these ideas make sense for your needs. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=271 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=271 Thu, 31 May 2007 12:57:00 GMT The conclusion of our examination of trade crossing. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=241 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=241 Tue, 29 May 2007 13:00:00 GMT An Examination of How Trade Crossing Impacts the Options Markets. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=237 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=237 Mon, 28 May 2007 13:02:00 GMT Because you asked for it, one of our most popular features finally returns to the homepage... The advisory community just isn and t interested in options. Could a new course be the answer? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=236 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=236 Thu, 3 May 2007 13:19:00 GMT With competition in the equity options arena reaching a fever pitch, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX) has once again turned to forex as an alternative avenue for growth. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=201 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=201 Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:30:00 GMT Anyone who has ever watched late-night television, or listened to Options Insider Radio, understands that con artists are a growing problem in the derivatives business. However, now there is a new angle on derivatives scams, and it involves something else that retail investors typically do not understand – foreign currency trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=172 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=172 Fri, 6 Apr 2007 13:31:00 GMT Anyone who has ever watched late-night television, or listened to Options Insider Radio, understands that con artists are a growing problem in the derivatives business. However, now there is a new angle on derivatives scams, and it involves something else that retail investors typically do not understand – foreign currency trading. http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=171 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=171 Sun, 28 Jan 2007 10:48:00 GMT The advisory community just isn and t interested in options. Could a new course be the answer? http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=80 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=80 Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:57:00 GMT Hunting for Returns in the High-Stakes World of Options http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=100 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=100 Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:56:00 GMT Hunting for Returns in the High-Stakes World of Options http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=101 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=101 Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:54:00 GMT Hunting for Returns in the High-Stakes World of Options - Part 3 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=102 http://www.theoptionsinsider.com/Brokerage/?id=102