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The Hot Options Report: 04-09-26 Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

The closing bell on Thursday, April 9th, 2026, rings in a green session as geopolitical headlines trigger a massive relief rally across the equity markets. On today's Hot Options Report, we break down a high-volume session where over 617,000 contracts were required just to crack the Top 10.

We dive deep into the massive 33% five-day run for Intel (INTC) and a potential "grand slam" exit in the June 40 calls. Meanwhile, Micron (MU) and AMD continue their wild journeys, and Tesla (TSLA) bulls finally find a foothold.

On Today's Countdown:

The Tech Titans: Deep dives into heavy flow for Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), and Meta (META) ahead of tomorrow's weekly expiration.
The Big Winner: Analyzing the massive profit-taking in INTC and the momentum in Amazon (AMZN).
Nvidia & Tesla: Tracking the "at-the-money" battleground as paper hits the bid on TSLA puts and rolls the bones on NVDA calls.
The Outlier: Why Palantir (PLTR) struggled to join the party, dropping 7% despite the broader market rally.

Whether you're looking for the most active strikes or trying to decode institutional paper, we've got the tape covered.

Get more at TheHotOptionsReport.com or become a Pro member at TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro .

Options Boot Camp 385: Double Calendar Madness Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Can you handle the Double Calendar? In this episode of Options Boot Camp, the drill instructors tackle a strategy never before discussed on the network. Mark Longo is joined by the "Calendar King of Chicago" himself, John Kmiecik from Market Taker Mentoring (MTM), to break down the Double Calendar Spread.

John reveals how the addition of Monday and Wednesday expirations for heavy hitters like Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla has completely shifted the risk-reward profile of time spreads. The guys also dive into the "Viceroy Special"—the definitive answer to when you should stop trading options and just buy the stock.

On the Drill Floor:

The Double Calendar: How to trade two ranges at once with lower cost and risk.
The Mid-Week Edge: Leveraging new Monday/Wednesday expirations to your advantage.
Spicy Volatility: Strategies to lean into (and which to avoid) when the VIX hits 30.
The Rate Cut Debate: Is the market pricing in a pivot or more pain?

Whether you're looking to harvest premium or survive a market whipsaw, this episode turns complex concepts into actionable drills.

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The Option Block 1458: The Juice, The Kardashians, and the Bloody Battlefield of VRDN Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Option Block, Host Mark Longo and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management dive into a wild Monday market. With "The Rock Lobster" hitting the slopes, the duo navigates a landscape filled with geopolitical headline risk, 80s sports trivia, and significant technical sell-offs.

The Trading Block: The panel analyzes the "Monday Rally" following a weekend of geopolitical tension. We look at the VIX hanging near 24, the impact of non-farm payrolls on a closed market Friday, and the massive volume in Tesla (TSLA) as it dips below the $350 level. Plus, a breakdown of the top 10 most actives including Intel (INTC), Apple (AAPL), and Nvidia (NVDA).

The Odd Block: It's a "blood-red" day for Veridian Therapeutics (VRDN). We examine the massive 22% drop and the suspicious put activity leading into May earnings. We also revisit Enovix Corp (ENVX) call buying and a "lose-lose" expiration scenario in Magna Corp (MAGN).

Strategy & Mail Block: Uncle Mike discusses Strike Price Selection for covered calls in a high-volatility environment—should you go for the "juice" at-the-money or play it safe? We also reveal the results of our "Gun to your Head" poll: Microsoft (MSFT) vs. Micron (MU).

TWIFO 491: Crude Oil Surges & Small Cap Volatility Amid Iran Conflict Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of This Week in Futures Options, Mark Longo dives into a wild week of trading dominated by headlines surrounding the Iran conflict. From massive moves in WTI Crude to a fascinating rotation in the Russell 2000, we break down the movers and shakers lighting up the tape at CME Group.

In this episode, we cover:

The Movers & Shakers: Why WTI Crude Oil topped the list with an 18% move while Natural Gas continued its slide to the "dark side."
Safe Havens vs. Risk Assets: A look at Gold, Silver, and Platinum's performance during geopolitical uncertainty.
Equities & Small Caps: A deep dive into the Russell 2000 (RTY), exploring the 2300 put spreads and why puts dominated the tape despite a late-week rally.
Volatility & Skew: Analyzing the 7-point drop in small-cap volatility and how skew is shifting in the April contracts.

Whether you're a veteran trader or a newcomer, tune in for the data-driven insights you need to navigate today's volatile futures options marketplace.

This episode is brought to you by CME Group.

The Option Block 1457: The Super Sexy World of Soup Options Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Market volatility is mirroring the spring weather—swinging from 80 degrees to 40 in a flash. Host Mark Longo is joined by "The Flowmaster" Henry Schwartz of Cboe and Uncle Mike Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management to break down a record-shattering month in the options market and find out why everyone is suddenly trading... soup?

On this episode, the crew dives into:

The Trading Block: A look at a massive "Red Thursday." We recap the overnight sell-off fueled by geopolitical tensions and the surprising intraday recovery.
Volume Records: March was a "banger." We break down the OCC numbers showing over 1.5 billion contracts traded—the spiciest month in history.
The Odd Block: * Campbell Soup (CPB): Why is there aggressive call buying in a stock the CEO allegedly caught on a hot mic disparaging?
- Marathon Digital (MARA): Deciphering the massive roll in the 8.5 calls as crypto miners pivot to AI data centers.
- Replimune Group (REPL): A 300% IV biotech play that has "wild" written all over it.
Around the Block: Predictions on the long-term market impact of Middle East conflicts and what to watch for in a truncated holiday week.

Wide World of Options: Path Dependency: When Getting from Point A to Point B Isn't Always a Straight Line Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

In investing, we're often fixated on outcomes, where a stock starts and where it ends up. But how a stock gets from one price to another can matter just as much as the destination itself. In this latest episode of the Wide World of Options podcast, host Mark Benzaquen welcomes guest Jay Soloff of Investor's Alley to discuss Path Dependency and how it can shape risk, investor behavior, and real-world returns in ways that a simple beginning and ending price can never fully capture.

The Futures Rundown 71: Energy Back in the Crosshairs Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Is crude oil the new meme stock, or are we just witnessing a classic supply shock? In this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo is joined by Brett Friedman, Managing Partner at Winhall Risk Analytics, to dissect a wild week in the pits.

As geopolitical tensions shift from Venezuela to Iran, the energy complex has reclaimed center stage. We break down why WTI and Brent are seeing "triple-digit" volatility levels—territory usually reserved for Natural Gas—and whether the current market madness truly is "unprecedented" or if history has a lesson for today's traders.

In this episode, we explore:

The Energy Surge: Why WTI and Brent are dominating the tape and what the extreme backwardation in the futures curve is telling us about the next three months.
The Gold & Silver Flip: Why the "debasement trade" lost its luster just as conflict flared, and whether gold is still a "flight to quality" or just another risk asset.
Volatility Reality Check: Brett compares today's markets to Gulf War I, Gulf War II, and the 2020 "negative crude" era.
The Trading Pit: A countdown of the week's biggest gainers and losers, from Heating Oil's massive rally to the ongoing "bloodletting" in the Crypto complex.
Equities & Correlation: How the S&P is reacting to headlines out of Washington and what rising correlation indexes mean for your strategy.

Options Boot Camp 384: Options Fool's Day Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Happy April Fool's Day! In this special "Options Fool's Day" edition of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo is joined by guest instructor John Kmiecik from Market Taker Mentoring (filling in for Dan Passarelli, who may or may not be riding donkeys in Santorini).

While the spirit of the day is lighthearted, the lessons on what NOT to do are very real. The duo dives into a "too good to be true" scenario involving high-ratio spreads, exploring the seductive but dangerous world of "free lunch" trading. We also have a bit of fun with some "breaking" (and completely fabricated) OCC volume numbers to see if the golden goose of options trading is finally cooked.

In this episode, we cover:

The March Pro Trading Crate Giveaway: We crown our latest winner!
The "Infinite Return" Myth: A deep dive into ratio spreads, 1x4 lopsided trades, and why "zero outlay" usually comes with a massive hidden price tag.
Market Satire: Analyzing the (fake) cracks in options volume and what the real state of the industry looks like.
Education vs. Pranks: Distinguishing between sound strategy and the "nonsense" that can lead a small account to ruin.

Disclaimer: This episode contains April Fool's satire. Please do not attempt 1x4 net short ratio spreads at home unless you enjoy financial ruin!

The Hot Options Report: 04-01-26 Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Don't let the date fool you—the volatility in today's market is no joke! In this episode of The Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down a high-energy Wednesday session where tech giants dominated the tape and a massive put bias swept through specific sectors.

We start with a deep dive into the Put Bias Scan from TheHotOptionsReport.com , highlighting unusual activity in the Materials Sector (XLB) and Germany ETF (EWG), before revealing a staggering 747 put-call ratio in Service Properties Trust (SVC).

Then, we countdown the Top 10 most active names on the tape, featuring:

Nike (NKE): Getting "shellacked" with a 15% drop following earnings.
Micron (MU): Riding a massive 9% rollercoaster move.
The "M-Tech" Strip: Heavy volume in Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet.
Tesla (TSLA) & Nvidia (NVDA): Claiming the top spots as retail traders pile into zero-day (0DTE) April Fool's expiry contracts.

Note: Due to the truncated holiday week, this is our final report until Monday. Trade safe and stay tuned to the Options Insider Radio Network!

The European Market Brief 21: Eurozone Volatility: The Ripple Effects of Global Events Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The European Market Brief, Mark Longo is joined by Dr. Russell Rhoads (IU Kelley School of Business), Steve Sosnick (Interactive Brokers), and Matt Riley (Eurex) to dissect a rapidly shifting landscape. With the Iran conflict crossing the one-month mark, the panel explores why the "shock and awe" expectations of a quick resolution have evaporated, replaced by fears of a lingering market impact through the end of the year.

Key Topics Covered:

The VSTOXX 30-Handle: We haven't seen these levels in a year. Is the current spike justified, or are traders "once bitten, twice shy" after the quick recoveries of 2025?
The Great Divergence: Why the U.S. and Europe are splitting on rate expectations—from "endless cuts" to potential hikes.
Free Data for the "Eurex-Curious": Steve Sosnick breaks down Interactive Brokers' new initiative providing free real-time Eurex data for retail and institutional traders.
Rotation vs. Repatriation: Is the "Sell America" trade real? Why investors are looking at the STOXX 600 for value and diversification away from the Mag 7.
The Red Phone: The team answers listener questions on the Brent/WTI spread and whether the U.S. Midterms are actually being priced into European vol.

This episode is brought to you by Eurex—the home of Euro STOXX, VSTOXX, DAX, and European rates derivatives.

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