The Options Insider Radio Network

Latest Episodes:

The Hot Options Report: 03-19-26 Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Hot Options Report, host Mark Longo breaks down a "weird and wild" Thursday session. As the broader markets feel the heat, the options tape is flashing some highly unusual signals—specifically a massive wave of deep in-the-money (ITM) puts across major tech and energy names.

On the Docket Today:

Micron Earnings Carnage: Did the "500-strike dream" for Micron (MU) turn into a nightmare? We analyze the post-earnings fallout and what those expiring calls mean for the tape.
The Scan of the Day: We dive into the "Hidden Figure" scan, identifying stealthy, near-dated institutional flow in Nvidia (NVDA), Comcast (CMCSA), and Bank of America (BAC).
The ITM Put Mystery: Why are traders flooding the tape with deep ITM puts in Meta, Amazon, and Apple? Is this a massive move to get long stock at specific levels, or a unique hedging regime?
Energy on Fire: With oil markets literally heating up, we look at the newcomer to our Top 10, Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ).
The Top 10 Countdown: From the "Monster" (MSTR) to Nvidia reclaiming the top spot, we track the volume leaders and the specific strikes moving the needle.

Check out the tools mentioned in the show: Visit TheHotOptionsReport.com to explore the scans and data driving today's episode.

The Futures Rundown 69: Crude Is In The Driver's Seat Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

The futures markets are heating up, and energy is leading the charge. In this episode, host Mark Longo is joined by Jermal Chandler, Head of Options Strategy at tastytrade, to break down a wild "Fed Day" and explain why Crude Oil has become the "current VIX" of the marketplace.

From the impact of global conflicts on the Strait of Hormuz to the surprising sell-off in Silver, we dive deep into the movers and shakers of the week. Are sky-high valuations keeping traders awake, or is the "buy the dip" mentality still reigning supreme?

Inside this episode:

The Trading Pit: Why WTI and Brent are dominating the volume charts.
The Fed Factor: Analyzing the latest decision to sit on rates and what it means for the 10-year yield.
Movers & Shakers: A look at the massive rallies in Heating Oil and RBOB Gasoline versus the slump in Cocoa and Crypto.
Futures Free-for-All: We reveal the results of our listener poll—what is the #1 risk traders are actually worried about?

Whether you're trading micros, ETFs, or large-cap futures, this rundown gives you the macro perspective you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Contact the Show:

Twitter/X: @Options
Guest Info: Catch Jermal Chandler daily on the tastytrade network or follow him @JermalChandler.

The Hot Options Report: 03-18-26 Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The Hot Options Report, host Mark Longo breaks down a "Fed Day" session where traders kept their powder dry, yet the options tape remained scorching. We dive into the Top 10 most active products, starting with a massive dividend play in Restaurant Brands International (QSR) and a wild ride in Micron (MU) ahead of their high-stakes earnings announcement.

From Nvidia's post-showcase volume to Tesla's battle at the par strike, we analyze where the "smart money" was selling premium and where the zero-day buyers got burned.

On the Docket Today:

The Earnings Spotlight: Micron (MU) puts up 591,000 contracts as traders pile into the 500 calls—was it a repeat of the Microsoft "fade"?
Dividend Play of the Day: Why QSR crashed the Top 10 party.
Tech Fades: Breaking down the action in Nvidia (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), and AMD.
Zero-Day Drama: A look at the $615 puts in Meta and the $19 calls in SoFi.

Check out the data for yourself at TheHotOptionsReport.com and stay ahead of the tape.

Options Boot Camp 382: Ways To Play the Oil Madness Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Fall in, recruits! Mark Longo is back in the Chi-Town studio, braving the cold to get you into peak options trading shape. With the energy markets in a state of high alert and WTI futures seeing massive volume, your drill instructors are here to break down the complex world of oil.

In this week's Options Drills, Mark and Dan Passarelli explore:

Going to the Source: The benefits of trading WTI and Brent futures for pure, one-to-one correlation.
The USO Dilemma: A deep dive into the much-maligned US Oil Fund. We discuss the "Negative Oil" ghosts of 2020 and the impact of negative roll yield.
Equity Surrogates: Using XLE (Energy Select Sector SPDR) and individual giants like Chevron (CVX) as portfolio proxies.
The Volatility Play: How to view geopolitical crises through the lens of VIX, UVIX, and SVIX.

Whether you're looking to generate income or hedge against $100+ crude, this is your tactical briefing.

The European Market Brief 20: Grappling With Short-Term Interest Rates Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

The trading landscape for European rates has shifted violently in just a matter of weeks. In this episode of The European Market Brief, host Mark Longo sits down with two industry experts to dissect the sudden pivot from rate-cut expectations to a reality where rate hikes are back on the table.

Joining the program are Dan Collins, Head of Futures and Options Rates at Aurel Partners, and Andreas Stillert, Vice President and Global Product Lead for Short-Term Interest Rate (STIR) Products at Eurex. Together, they break down the "dual system" of Euribor and ESTR, the dramatic flip in option skew from calls to puts, and how geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East is refueling inflation fears across the pond.

In this episode, we explore:

The ESTR vs. SOFR Dynamic: Understanding the nuances of the European risk-free rate versus its US counterpart.
The Great Pivot: Why the market went from 100% certainty of rate cuts to pricing in potential hikes by year-end.
Volatility & Skew: Analyzing the "unthinkable" shift in the options market over the last fortnight.
Listener Q&A: We tackle "The Red Phone" questions regarding private credit risks in Europe and the mechanics of the ESTR/repo basis trade.

The Crypto Rundown 311: Bitcoin Rallies & Crypto Volatility Shifts Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Bitcoin is back on the move, and the options market is telling a new story. Following the FIA Boca conference, we're digging into the data to see if this rally has legs.

Topics discussed:

Market Update: Bitcoin's run toward $75k.
The Greeks: Weekly vs. Monthly volatility shifts.
ETF Impact: Analyzing the massive IBIT options volume.
Altcoin Rundown: Price action in ETH, SOL, Doge, and Shiba Inu.

Brought to you by Amberdata. Visit amberdata.io to download the digital asset data guide.

The Option Block 1452: Beaker's Revenge Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Market volatility is feeling a bit like a Muppet Lab experiment gone wrong. In this episode, Mark Longo is broadcasting from the "Southern Studio" to join "Uncle" Mike Tosaw and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi for a deep dive into a green Monday that still feels a bit shaky.

On the Docket:

The Trading Block: A look at the green start to the week, the S&P 500 vacillating around 6,700, and why the VIX is holding steady at 24. Plus, the panel discusses the impact of Middle East tensions and oil supply on the broader markets.
The Odd Block: Why did someone bail on a massive long-term call position in KE Holdings (BEKE) after only two days? Also, a look back at a "cemented" winner in Cemex (CX).
The Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses "Neutral-ish" strategies and how to get creative with strike selection and call spreads when your favorite stocks are underperforming.
Around the Block: Predictions for Nvidia earnings, Fed speak, and the "lotto ticket" 30-strike VIX calls expiring this week.

Volatility Views 672: Crude vs Bonds vs VIX vs Friday the 13th Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

It's a spooky Friday the 13th on the Options Insider Radio Network! This week, the panel gathers to dissect a market that is being haunted by more than just superstitions. From explosive moves in energy to a bond market that is sending shockwaves through the 60/40 portfolio, the "murderers' row" of vol experts covers it all.

On the Docket:

The Energy "Memification": Mark Sebastian breaks down the "algo madness" in Crude Oil and why the move to $120 was a mechanical outlier.
The Bond Market Cracks: Dr. Russell Rhoads and Jim Carroll discuss why "9 Vol" in the 10-year Treasury is the equivalent of a 40 VIX and what it means for interest rate expectations.
VIX as a Passenger: Why the VIX is "yawning" at 27 despite the red across the screens.
The Weekly Rundown: Dr. Rhoads reviews a litany of "crappy trades" and highlights a massive 20,000-lot mystery trade in the VIX weeklies.
Crystal Ball: Will next week bring a "Jalapeño" spike or a "Vanilla" retreat? The team places their bets on the next VIX settlement.

Featuring:

Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider
The Greasy Meatball: Mark Sebastian, Option Pit
The Professor Dr. VIX: Dr. Russell Rhoads, IU Adjunct Professor
The Vixologist: Jim Carroll, Ballast Rock Private Wealth

The Hot Options Report: 03-12-26 Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

With the industry returning from the major futures and options conferences, the market is back to business—and the business of the day is deep in-the-money puts. Mark Longo breaks down a high-volume Thursday where several tech giants saw massive, meaty put flow that suggests traders are positioning for a shift.

On today's report, we analyze the top 10 most active names, including:

Nvidia (NVDA): The reigning king of the tape sees heavy action at the 185 strike. Are traders rolling the bones on a Friday recovery?
Tesla (TSLA): A rough day for the bulls as Tesla breaks the psychological par strike ($400) to the downside. We look at the 100,000 contracts at the $400 level.
The Tech Sell-off: Dissecting the heavy put volume in Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), and Oracle (ORCL).
The Long Game: A bizarre and massive trade in Ondas (ONDS) with an expiration nearly two years away.
Speculative Moves: Checking the pulse on Palantir (PLTR) and MicroStrategy (MSTR) as they fight for footing.

Wrap up your trading day with the data that matters.

Explore more at: TheHotOptionsReport.com

Upgrade your edge: TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro

TWIFO 488: A Historic Week for Crude Oil Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

This week, we aren't just talking about movers—we're witnessing a historic disruption in the energy markets.

We dive deep into the explosive price action and triple-digit volatility in WTI Crude Oil, where mining in the Straits of Hormuz and tanker attacks have sent WTI and Brent soaring. Is the "par" level the new floor? We break down the massive volume in May 95 calls and the 120-strike volatility crush.

In this episode, we cover:

Movers & Shakers: Why the light side is dominating with double-digit gains in Energy and Platinum, while Financials lead the slide to the dark side.
Equities: A "banger week" for the E-mini S&P 500. We analyze the massive 23% bid in put skew and the 6500/6400/6300 put fly lighting up the tape.
Small Caps: Is the rotation dead? We look at the spike in Russell 2000 volume as it flirts with negative territory for the year.
Energy Deep Dive: A "ridiculous" amount of volume in Crude. We look at the 95/Par vertical and what December 120 calls tell us about the geopolitical outlook.

Don't miss this breakdown of the volatility swings, skew changes, and hot trades at CME Group.

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