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The European Market Brief 8: Europe vs. U.S Battle Royale - Tech, Defense, & More Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the European Market Brief, Episode 8! In this episode, we dive into a transatlantic financial showdown, comparing the European and U.S. markets. Join Mark Longo and special guests Russell Rhoads, Christoph Schon, and Zubin Ramdarshan as they explore everything from market concentration and volatility to the surprising resurgence of the European defense sector.

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps

[00:03:52] - Introducing the Panelists

Host Mark Longo, CEO and founder of The Options Insider Radio Network
Russell Rhoads, also known as "Dr. VSTOXX," from Kelley School of Business - Indiana University
Christoph Schon, Lead Principal at SimCorp
Zubin Ramdarshan, Global Co-Head of Derivatives Products and Markets at Deutsche Börse

[00:10:07] - The US vs. European Market Structure

[00:13:30] - Sector Trading in Europe

[00:16:30] - The Small-Cap vs. Large-Cap Debate

[00:18:48] - Recent Market Performance

[00:23:38] - The Impact of US Headlines on Europe

[00:27:10] - The European "Tech" Sector Analogs

[00:29:40] - The Role of Earnings Season in Europe

[00:32:04] - The Rise of the European Defense Sector

[00:36:54] - Final Takeaways

[00:41:26] - The Red Phone: Listener Q&A Regarding the Spread between VIX and VSTOXX & Zero-Day Options in Europe

Where to Find Our Guests

Christoph Schon: Learn more about his research and insights at https://simcorp.com/resources/insights.
Zubin Ramdarshan: Connect with Zubin on LinkedIn (Zubin Ramdarshan) or explore product details at Eurex.com.
Russell Rhoads: Follow Russell's research and commentary on Twitter: @RussellRhoads.

The Hot Options Report: 08-19-2025 Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

This episode dives into the fast-moving options market for Tuesday, August 19th. Mark Longo discusses the surge in trading volumes and options activity across major indices like VIX, SPX, IWM, and QQQ, as well as in popular single-name equities such as Apple, AMD, Intel, Tesla, and Nvidia. Notable highlights include significant trades in VIX September 16 puts, SPY 643 calls, and heavy movements in the tech bellwethers. Additionally, the show touches on recent developments in Intel and MicroStrategy, offering insights into the trading strategies involved. The episode also encourages listeners to check out Public.com for cost-effective options trading and full network programs for more in-depth market analysis. 01:05 Welcome to the Hot Options Report 02:59 Market Overview and VIX Analysis 04:28 SPY and SPX Options Activity 06:19 Small Caps and QQQ Insights 08:05 Single Name Equity Options Highlights 10:16 Top 10 Options Trades of the Day 20:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Shows ---------------------------------------------

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 287: Talking Perps, Options and More With Coinbase Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Longo welcomes Scott Shapiro, Senior Director of Product Management for Trading at Coinbase. They discuss the latest developments in the world of crypto derivatives, including the launch of perpetual futures and Coinbase's recent acquisition of Deribit. Shapiro explains how Coinbase is working towards offering a comprehensive suite of trading tools, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance. The episode also delves into the recent performance of Ethereum, Bitcoin, and other altcoins, highlighting key market trends and trading volumes. Listeners are updated on the volatility and skew in the crypto markets, with a particular focus on Ethereum's dramatic price movements. The show concludes with insights into the growing interest in crypto options and the evolving landscape of digital assets. 01:05 Welcome to the Crypto Rundown 02:23 Diving into Crypto Derivatives 03:59 Exploring the Crypto Hot Seat 04:39 Interview with Scott Shapiro from Coinbase 06:41 Understanding Perpetual Futures 09:01 Coinbase's Expansion into Perpetual Futures 16:42 Coinbase's Acquisition of Deribit 23:23 Future of Crypto Derivatives at Coinbase 25:47 The Bitcoin Breakdown 26:12 Coinbase's Future in Derivatives 26:56 Bitcoin Market Analysis 28:34 Volatility and Skew Insights 33:39 Altcoin Universe Overview 35:35 Ethereum's Remarkable Year 40:01 Crypto-Related Stocks and Options 46:09 Closing Remarks and Resources

The Option Block 1399: Rolling the Bones on Cheapie Stocks Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Mark Longo and Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management cover dense VIX trading activity, recent movements in tech stocks like Apple and Nvidia, and notable option trades in low-priced stocks (Hive, IPA, and IQ). Uncle Mike shares insights on order types and their importance in trading, along with updates on the Triple Income and Strategic Night portfolios. Key discussions also include the impact of geopolitical events and government interventions on the stock market. The episode concludes with an eye on upcoming key events and their potential market impact. 01:07 Meet the Hosts and Show Overview 01:56 Kicking Off the Week with Options Content 04:20 Uncle Mike's Trivia Challenge 06:57 Market Analysis and Trading Block 12:00 Uncle Mike's Strategic Night Portfolio Insights 18:15 VIX and Market Activity Update 27:51 UnitedHealth and Palantir Market Updates 28:49 Open's Market Movements and Leadership Change 31:03 Intel's Washington Pilgrimage and Market Impact 33:34 Nvidia and Big Box Retailers Earnings 34:42 Odd Block: Unusual Options Activity 45:42 Strategy Block: Understanding Order Types 49:59 Around the Block: Market Watch and Upcoming Events

The Hot Options Report: 08-18-2025 Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Hot Options Report, the key focus is on the Volatility Index (VIX), which saw nearly a million contracts traded, significantly surpassing its average daily volume. Detailed analysis is provided on the performance and notable trades within major indices such as SPY, SPX, IWM, and QQQ, alongside single equities including Apple, AMD, Tesla, and Nvidia. Noteworthy trades include VIX's August 15 half puts and SPY's 644 calls. The episode also highlights the impact of recent events on specific stocks like Intel and Opendoor Technologies. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:23 Public: The Cost-Effective Way to Trade Options 02:03 VIX Options Activity 03:25 SPY and SPX Options Overview 05:05 Small Caps and QQQ Options Insights 07:00 Single Name Equities: Top Movers 17:30 Conclusion and Additional Resources ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Volatility Views 643: Finding Vol in the Dog Days of Summer Aug 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Volatility Views, Mark Longo is joined by Russell Rhoads (Kelley School of Business - Indiana University), Mark Sebastian (The Option Pit) and Euan Sinclair (Hull Tactical) to discuss the latest trends and market activity in the world of volatility trading. The show dives into specific topics such as current market volatility, the VIX options market, and how different volatility ETPs (Exchange Traded Products) are performing. They provide insights into the volatility surface, market maker activities, and potential impacts from geopolitical and economic events. Detailed analysis and predictions for the upcoming week's volatility levels are provided, along with discussions on specific trades and strategies observed in the market. The episode closes with a look at unusual options activity and the usefulness of different inverse volatility products. 01:05 Welcome to Volatility Views 01:53 Meet the panel 04:14 Volatility Review: Market Recap 06:51 Fed Fund Rates and Market Movements 16:27 Crypto Volatility Insights 26:19 VIX Options Analysis 32:07 Unexpected VIX Trades and Market Reactions 33:32 Analyzing a Bizarre VIX Trade 36:34 Weekly VIX Options Activity 42:42 Inverse Volatility Products Performance 48:36 Predicting VIX Movements 52:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Hot Options Report: 08-15-2025 Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Hot Options Report, we recap a dynamic week in the options market. The discussion opens with VIX options, which saw a significant surge with 843,000 contracts traded, highlighting the popularity of the 15.5 puts. SPY options also saw substantial activity, but fell just short of their daily average volume (ADV). Trading in SPX options nearly met their ADV with 3.6 million contracts traded. IWM showed near-record activity with 1.5 million contracts. The NASDAQ QQQ options hit 4.1 million contracts, just above their ADV. Single-name stocks like Amazon, MicroStrategy, Palantir, AMD, Apple, and Tesla also showed remarkable trading volume, with Amazon leading with 927,000 contracts. Nvidia topped the list with nearly 3.5 million contracts, driven primarily by the 180 calls. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:04 Final Hot Options Report for the Week 02:18 VIX Options Activity 03:06 SPY Options Activity 03:50 SPX Options Activity 04:28 Small Caps Options Activity 05:34 Nasdaq Options Activity 06:25 Single Names Options Activity 06:52 Top 10 Most Active Options 18:02 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Advisor's Option 146: Battle Royale - Cash-Secured Puts vs. Collars Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Longo, Matt Amberson (ORATS), and Matthew Tuttle (Tuttle Capital Management) delve into several key areas, including the ongoing growth in the options market, the utility of zero-day options, and various options-based ETFs. The discussion covers market trends like increased single-name equity volume, strategies for employing cash-secured puts, and the benefits of using options for portfolio protection. Matt Amberson introduces their new AI tool, Otto, and Matthew Tuttle discusses the launch of their new zero-day and leveraged ETFs. Listener questions on options strategies, metrics for selling volatility, and the best ways to hedge risks are also addressed. 01:25 Welcome to The Advisor's Option 03:18 Meet the Hosts and Guests 07:06 Market Overview and Volatility Discussion 15:05 Earnings Volatility Report 20:38 Options 101: Strategies and Tips 28:21 The Buzz: Latest Developments in Options 31:48 Explosive Growth in the Options Market 32:20 New Generation of Options Traders 32:34 Innovations in Options Trading 33:42 ETF Strategies and Market Trends 36:54 Zero Day Options and Flex Options 41:22 Leveraged ETFs and High-Octane Trading 42:27 Office Hours: Answering Listener Questions 50:51 The Importance of Hedging for RIAs 55:27 Final Thoughts and Resources

TWIFO 461: Wild Times in Equities, Crypto, Energy and More Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Longo and Dan 'The Man' Gramza from Gramza Capital Management, examine the surge in futures options trading, discuss inflation impacts, and explore the latest in small-cap and equity index movements. Energy commodities, particularly Nat Gas and WTI, also receive a thorough analysis, including fundamental supply and demand factors as well as geo-political influences. Crypto markets, especially the dramatic resurgence of Ethereum, are reviewed alongside its compelling volume activities in both big and micro contracts. The episode concludes with a light-hearted debate on the best Rocky movie, tying in audience insights. 01:21 Welcome to This Week in Futures Options 04:22 Movers and Shakers Report 11:27 Exploring Equity Markets 27:17 Crypto Market Insights 31:13 Technical Analysis: Market Movements and Predictions 36:32 Interest Rates and Currency Trends 37:14 Energy Market Deep Dive: Nat Gas and Crude Oil 50:48 Futures Options Wrap-Up and Fun Poll

The Hot Options Report: 08-14-2025 Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Hot Options Report, Mark Longo discusses recent market fluctuations influenced by inflation. Highlighting key contracts and trading activities, the host explains market behaviors in VIX, SPY, SPX, IWM, NASDAQ, and significant single-name equities such as Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, AMD, Intel, and Amazon. 01:03 Today's Market Overview 02:10 VIX Options Activity 03:18 SPY Options Activity 04:20 SPX Options Activity 05:14 Small Caps and IWM 06:14 NASDAQ and QQQ 07:11 Single Name Equity Options 08:36 Top 10 Options Movers 17:00 Conclusion and Upcoming Shows ------------------------------------

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