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The Option Block 1407: Perilous Markets and Shady Paper Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Longo along with co-hosts "Uncle" Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Henry "The Flow Master" Schwartz (Cboe), dive deep into recent market trends and unusual options activity. They discusses significant topics such as the recent Fed rate cut, its market implications, and notable trades in companies like Krispy Kreme, Intel, and Grab Holdings. They also explore the dynamics affecting market sentiment, including the role of flex options and recent regulatory changes. 00:00 Introduction 02:37 Market Analysis and Recent Activities 05:15 Trading Block: Current Market Trends incl Fed Announcement and Market Reactions & Stock Highlights and Trading Insights 29:44 Odd Block Introduction 30:41 Krispy Kreme Options Activity 34:21 Intel's Interesting Swings 37:41 Grab Holdings Call Buyers 44:53 Mail Block: Listener Questions 51:13 Around the Block: Market Watch

The European Market Brief 9: Continental Dividends: Navigating the European Market Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

This episode delves into the world of European dividends and the specialized futures and options markets used to trade them. Host Mark Longo is joined by Dr. Russell Rhoads (Indiana University), Lorena Dishnica (Head of Dividend Products, Eurex), and Sahand Taghizadeh (Head of Investable Stocks Benchmarks, STOXX).

Key Differences: Unlike the U.S. with its quarterly payments and buyback culture, Europe favors annual dividends, with a "dividend season" in spring/summer.
Dividend Futures: Eurex pioneered a listed market for dividend derivatives in 2008. These products allow traders to isolate and hedge dividend risk, which is a key need for banks that issue structured products.
Analyzing the Market: The most liquid contracts are the annual Decembers. They can be used to gauge the market's fundamental outlook, as their prices are sensitive to corporate cash flow forecasts and macroeconomic events.
The Curve: The European dividend futures curve often shows a downward slope, known as backwardation, reflecting the heavy hedging activity.
Listener Question: A listener asks about smaller contract sizes. While dividend futures are not yet micro-sized, the options on them offer a way for traders to manage their capital commitment.

The Futures Rundown 48: Did the Fed Just Kill Gold? Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark breaks down the impact of the latest Federal Reserve rate cut on various futures markets. With guest John Seguin from Market Taker Mentoring, they discuss the market's reaction to the Fed's quarter-point rate cut and subsequent hints at future rate reductions. The conversation covers the performance of various assets, including precious metals like gold and silver, as well as the volatility in agricultural products and softs such as sugar and coffee. They also delve into the broader implications for equities and interest rates, providing key levels to watch in the coming days. The episode wraps up with audience questions, tackling the complexities and unpredictabilities of trading specific futures contracts. 02:00 Welcome to the Futures Rundown 03:33 Market Analysis and Insights 04:47 Fed's Impact on the Markets 12:35 Commodity Movers and Shakers 18:54 Top 10 Most Active Contracts 20:40 Analyzing Market Momentum 22:06 Weekly Fair Price Analysis 24:36 Yearly Movers and Shakers 28:52 Futures Free for All Q&A 34:41 Closing Remarks and Resources

The Hot Options Report: 09-17-2025 Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark discusses the most active options markets for Wednesday, September 17th, also known as 'Fed Day'. Key highlights include a quarter-point rate cut by the Fed and its market implications. The report provides detailed insights into the VIX, SPY, SPX, IWM, and QQQ options markets, including their trading volumes, closing prices, and notable options contracts. Additionally, major single names such as SoFi, Snap, AMD, Amazon, Getty, Apple, Palantir, Open, Tesla, and Nvidia are analyzed for their trading activity and prominent options. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:54 Public: Cost-Effective Options Trading 01:39 Market Overview: Fed Day Insights 02:19 VIX: Volatility Insights 03:40 SPY: S&P 500 Analysis 04:32 SPX: S&P 500 Index Options 05:45 IWM: Small Caps Activity 06:57 QQQ: NASDAQ-100 Highlights 07:48 Single Names: Stock-Specific Options 16:12 Top Movers: Tesla and Nvidia 18:03 Conclusion

Options Boot Camp 356: Covered Calls, Video Games and Stolen Kidneys Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli discuss different options strategies such as covered calls, cash secured puts, and the wheel strategy. They also touch on the growing interest in exotic options and the role of flex options in recent volume spikes. Other topics include the importance of technical indicators for covered calls, the role of various options exchanges, and the potential for gamified options trading education. Additionally, they address listener questions ranging from the uniqueness of the options market to the practicality of using specific brokers and discussing their personal experiences in trading. 00:39 Welcome to Options Boot Camp 01:00 Tasty Trade Platform Overview 03:41 Pro Trading Crate Giveaway 07:12 Mail Call: Listener Questions 08:02 Market Reactions to Fed Announcements 11:30 Options Trading Polls and Insights 16:13 Fantasy Football and Trading 18:15 Question of the Week 22:22 Best Indicator for Covered Calls 23:58 Exotic Options Discussion 25:51 Options Trading Video Games 30:19 Favorite Option Strategies 33:02 Choosing the Right Exchange 36:22 Volume and Market Noise 40:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Options Playbook 457: How to Play the All-Time Highs in Gold Using GLD Options Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

On this episode Brian breaks down a GLD Butterfly:

GLD SPDR Gold Trust: $338.75 (up 3.09%),

GLD Long Open-Wing Butterfly: Debit Mid $3.00
Leg 1: Buy to Open, 1, 2025-09-19, Strike 345.00, PUT
Leg 2: Sell to Open, 2, 2025-09-19, Strike 339.00, PUT
Leg 3: Buy to Open, 1, 2025-09-19, Strike 337.00, PUT
Max Risk: $300 per 1x2x1 Spread Executed
Max Reward: $300 per 1x2x1 O-W Butterfly Established

The Hot Options Report: 09-16-2025 - VIX Explodes Ahead of the Fed Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Hot Options Report, Mark dives into the most active options trades and market activities occurring on September 16th, the first day of the Fed meeting. Key highlights include explosive trading volume in VIX options, significant activities in S&P 500 (SPX), Nasdaq (QQQ), and Russell 2000 (Small Caps). The show also breaks down heavy options trades in single names such as Wolfspeed (WOLF), BigBear.ai (BBAI), Alibaba (BABA), JD.com, Amazon (AMZN), Oracle (ORCL), OPEN, Apple (AAPL), Nvidia (NVDA), and Tesla (TSLA). Special attention is given to the imminent expiry of VIX options and the market's anticipation of the Fed's rate decision. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:54 Public: The Cost-Effective Way to Trade Options 01:28 Hot Options Report: VIX and SPX Analysis 04:18 SPY and Small Caps Market Activity 06:29 NASDAQ and Single Name Stock Options 07:09 Top 10 Single Name Stock Options 19:06 Conclusion and Upcoming Fed Announcement -------------------------------------------------------------------------

All investing involves risk. Brokerage services for US listed securities, options and bonds in a self-directed brokerage account are offered by Open to the Public Investing Inc, member FINRA & SIPC. Not investment advice. Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Customers must read and understand the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before considering any options strategy. Options investors can rapidly lose the value of their investment in a short period of time and incur permanent loss by expiration date. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount, and are only available for qualified customers. Index options have special features and fees that should be carefully considered, including settlement, exercise, expiration, tax, and cost characteristics. See Fee Schedule for all options trading fees. There are additional costs associated with option strategies that call for multiple purchases and sales of options, such as spreads, straddles, among others, as compared with a single option trade. Rebate rates vary monthly from $0.06-$0.18 and depend on the particular security, whether the trade was placed via API, as well as your current and prior month's options trading volume. Review Options Rebate Terms here. Rates are subject to change. Go to public.com/optionsbrief to learn more.

The Crypto Rundown 290: Crypto Is Triggering Our Spidey Sense!!! Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Crypto Rundown, hosts Mark Longo and Greg Magadini from Amberdata delve into the latest trading activity, trends, and developments in the world of crypto derivatives. The podcast focuses on the significant movements in Bitcoin and Ethereum markets, including volatility, option volumes, and skew. The conversation also explores the potential impacts of the upcoming FOMC rate decision on various digital assets. Greg shares his strategy on selling volatility in Bitcoin and MicroStrategy while buying Ethereum volatility, citing potential for upside in the Ethereum ETF market. Additional discussions cover altcoins such as Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin, as well as trading activity in popular crypto-linked equities like Circle and BitMiner. 00:45 Welcome to the Crypto Rundown 01:44 Diving into Crypto Derivatives 03:32 Bitcoin Breakdown 07:47 Market Trends and Volatility 10:53 Exploring Trading Strategies 18:43 Insights on MSTU and Other Assets 22:20 Bitcoin and Ethereum Trade Analysis 23:24 Exploring the Altcoin Universe 24:55 Ethereum Market Update 25:33 Volatility and Skew in Ethereum 26:41 Greg's Insights on Ethereum 28:43 Altcoin Market Highlights 31:10 Circle: The Netflix of Stable Coins 38:11 Final Thoughts

The Hot Options Report: 09-15-2025 Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

This episode of the Hot Options Report, hosted by Mark Longo, delivers a comprehensive summary of the day's most explosive options activity. Kicking off a new week and with the Federal Reserve announcement on the horizon, the market saw a tale of two halves: a hot start followed by a quieter close.

00:00 Welcome 00:54 Public: Cost-Effective Options Trading 02:21 VIX Options: A Hot Day 03:25 SPY and SPX: Mixed Performance 05:10 Small Caps: Explosive Activity 07:19 The Qs: A Normal Day 07:54 Single Name Stocks: Hot Options 15:09 Tesla: Leading the Pack 17:18 Conclusion -----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Option Block 1406: The Fed, The Wolf and the Sultry Glory of Mae West Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

This episode kicks off the broadcast week by diving into the financial markets' current state, despite an impending Federal Reserve announcement. The hosts, Mark Longo, "Uncle" Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi, analyze market movements, with a focus on single-name stocks, VIX, and unusual options activity. The show includes a lively 80s trivia challenge (that quickly veers into 1930s-50s Hollywood trivia), a discussion on the Federal Reserve's potential impact, and a breakdown of trading strategies and market trends. They also touch on the absurdities of the market, such as Elon Musk's stock purchases and the speculative nature of certain "meme stocks."

00:00 Welcome 03:17 The 80s Trivia Challenge 06:16 The Trading Block: Market Analysis 09:59 Fed Speculations and Market Reactions 13:35 Tesla and AI Market Moves 21:12 Options Volume and Hot Trades 26:55 Palantir and SoFi Updates 27:16 Intel's Market Movements 27:45 Amazon and Apple Performance 28:39 Alphabet's Recent Trends 29:14 Open's Market Surge 30:16 Nvidia and Tesla Highlights 31:47 Cracker Barrel and Earnings Season 33:04 Odd Block: Unusual Options Activity 41:44 Rumble Inc. Analysis 47:05 Strategy Block: Fed Week Insights 50:21 Around the Block: Market Watch

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