The Options Insider Radio Network

The silver market just faced a massive "annihilation," and the Option Block panel is here to pick up the pieces. Join Mark Longo, Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi (Option Pit), and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) as they break down a wild start to February. From a 30% single-day drop in Silver (SLV) to unusual activity in "non-woven substrates," this episode covers the high-stakes world of volatility and metal meltdowns. In this episode, the panel dives into: The Trading Block: A look at the market rally toward all-time highs despite the "metals apocalypse." The team discusses whether the silver squeeze is finally unwinding and what the new Fed Chair means for interest rate stabilization. The Odd Block: Unusual activity in some truly unique names, including Magna Corp (MAGN)—a leader in the "sexy" world of substrates—and defensive put buying in Hercules Capital (HTGC). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike breaks down the power of diversification in covered call strategies. Learn why individ

The markets are closing out the week with a massive "banger," but not for the reasons bulls were hoping for. Between a historic "Metals Apocalypse" and the naming of a new, potentially hawkish Fed Chair nominee, the options tape is lighting up with aggressive defensive plays and institutional shifts. In this episode of The Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down a day where it took a staggering 750,000 contracts just to break into the Top 10. From Meta's $21 slide to Tesla's massive volume surge, we track the names dominating the tape on this high-velocity Friday.

A historic rout in the precious metals markets steals the spotlight this week on Volatility Views. From silver's massive 25% intraday drop to the naming of a new (and hawkish) Fed Chair nominee, the panel breaks down why the "Metals Apocalypse" might be a canary in the coal mine for the broader equity markets. Join Mark Longo, Dr. Russell Rhoads, and Mark Sebastian as they navigate a high-velocity week of volatility, earnings, and unusual institutional positioning in the VIX. Episode Highlights The Silver Slump The "Meme-ification" of silver reached a breaking point this week. After months of triple-digit volatility levels, silver prices cratered 25% in a single session. The panel discusses whether this 46-year historic event suggests a broader 20% retracement for the S&P 500 is on the horizon. Fed Chair Shakeup The market reacted negatively to the news of Kevin Warsh potentially taking the helm at the Fed. While he has campaigned for lower rates, his history as an inflation hawk has traders worried abou

This episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO) captures a market in transition. As we move through January 2026, the "All-In" equity trade is facing a rotation, silver is behaving like a high-octane meme stock, and even the most obscure products like Rough Rice are seeing double-digit vol spikes. Whether you are hedging a portfolio against an earnings-season sell-off or looking to harvest high premiums in the metals, this episode provides the professional analysis you need to separate the wheat from the Lean Hogs. Episode Highlights The Movers & Shakers: A Tale of Two Tapes The Jedi (Light Side) are winning this week, but the Sith (Dark Side) struck the hardest blows in percentage terms. The Dark Side: Natural Gas plummeted 23.9%, Bitcoin dropped 6.3%, and the Russell 2000 took a breather after a massive YTD run. The Light Side: Silver stole the show, rallying over 20% on the week. WTI Crude and Brent both surged ~10%, while Palladium saw a double-digit rebound. Equities: The Great Rotation o

The markets are seeing red as a wild earnings week takes center stage. From the "Tale of Two Techs" (Microsoft vs. Meta) to a massive volatility spike, the All-Star Panel breaks down the trades, the trends, and the unusual activity lighting up the tape. Plus, we dive into the "other" Wolf and an Argentinian oil play. The All-Star Panel Mark Longo: CEO and Founder of the Options Insider Media Group. Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz: Vice President of Institutional Derivatives at Cboe Global Markets. "Uncle" Mike Tosaw: Wealth Manager at St. Charles Wealth Management. Trading Block: A Sea of Red and Earnings Chaos The panel discusses a volatile Thursday session with the S&P 500 seeing a 100-handle range. While tech takes a hit, other sectors like energy and financials are showing resilience. The Tale of Two Ms: Comparing the diametrically opposite reactions to Meta (META) and Microsoft (MSFT) earnings. META: Stock up ~10%; those who bought the 700-strike calls for $11 are seeing massive wins.

Episode Summary Earnings season is in full swing, and the options tape is absolutely on fire. Host Mark Longo breaks down a massive day of paper, where it took over 671,000 contracts just to crack the Top 10. From Meta's massive post-earnings "lottery ticket" winners to Microsoft's tumble into the "dark side," we examine the strikes and flows defining the market on this action-packed Thursday. Plus, a look at Apple's after-hours movement following its Q1 revenue beat and why Tesla is back in the #1 spot despite a rough day for shareholders. Inside the Hot Options Tape Tesla (TSLA): Reclaims the #1 spot with 2.79M contracts. We dive into the $420 puts as the stock slips nearly 3.5% post-earnings. Nvidia (NVDA): A rare drop to #2 despite 2.54M contracts. Is the $192.50 call paper looking for a Friday payday? Microsoft (MSFT): The "dark side" prevails after earnings, with a 10% sell-off. We track a massive 100,000-lot butterfly spread targeting December. Meta (META): A spectacular win for the bulls. Tho

Is it time to diversify beyond the U.S. and take the "Leap" into European markets?

This episode of The Futures Rundown explores the explosive, and frankly "crazy," price action currently dominating the metals complex. Host Mark Longo is joined by Brett Friedman, Managing Partner at Winhall Risk Analytics, to dissect the unprecedented surge in silver, the "tail of two tapes" on Fed Day, and the lurking geopolitical wild cards that could upend the markets in early 2026. Inside This Episode: The Silver "Freight Train" Silver has officially decoupled from reality, outperforming the S&P 500 by eight times in 2025 and starting 2026 with a staggering 61% year-to-date gain. Brett Friedman breaks down why this move is the most intense silver "craziness" he's seen in a career spanning multiple decades. Key Discussion Points: What is Driving Silver? We move beyond the standard supply deficit narrative to look at momentum trading, social media frenzy (Google Trends), and why implied volatility is hitting triple digits. The "Bubble" Checklist: Is silver in a bubble? Brett explains the "constant

This episode of The Hot Options Report tackles a high-stakes "Fed Day" session as the market navigates a steady policy hold and a massive wave of "Mag 7" earnings. Host Mark Longo breaks down the top 10 most active names, tracking the wild after-hours divergence between Meta's moonshot and Microsoft's retreat, as well as the parabolic move in Micron and Intel's roaring recovery. Fed Day & Earnings Chaos: The Tale of Two Tapes Despite a light start to the session as traders kept their "powder dry" for the FOMC announcement, the afternoon transformed into an earnings battleground. The Fed maintained interest rates at 3.50% to 3.75%, but the real volatility was found in the tech sector's after-hours reactions. The Top 10 Options Breakdown Rank Ticker Volume Key "Hot Option" Notable Move 1 NVDA 1.92M 192.5 Calls (Exp. Friday) Gained $3.00 to close at $191.52. 2 INTC 1.37M 50 Calls Surged 11% ($4.85) to close at $48.78. 3 TSLA 1.21M 450 Calls Rallying $13.60 after-hours to $444. 4 PLTR 641K 170 C

This episode of Options Boot Camp dives into one of the most significant shifts in the equity markets: the arrival of 0DTE (Zero Days to Expiration) options for single stocks like Nvidia, Tesla, and Apple. While the excitement is high, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli highlight a critical technical risk that many retail traders overlook—Contra-Exercise. Episode Summary The "0DTE era" has officially expanded beyond cash-settled indices like the SPX. With single-name equity options now listing for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, traders face a new logistical hurdle: physical settlement. Unlike cash-settled indices, equity options result in the delivery of actual stock, making the after-hours window a potential minefield for "pin risk" and unexpected assignments. Key Discussion Points: The 0DTE Expansion: Why names like IBIT, NVDA, and TSLA are joining the zero-day fray and what it means for market volatility. Understanding Contra-Exercise: The mechanics of the "Do Not Exercise" (DNE) order and how to

Tired of trying to find UNH cheese and just want out of the trap? In this episode, we break down a front spread, also known as a call ratio spread, built for traders who already own 100 shares of UNH and want options to, literally, get unstuck. By buying one 300 call and selling two 315 calls expiring Friday, March 6, 2026, the trade was placed for about a $1.00 net credit with UNH near 281.70. We explain the front spread logic, why it is considered covered, the payoff, and the fine print that matters. Listen in to hear how this escape plan unfolds. Link to the Strategy in OptionsPlaybook.com: https://www.optionsplaybook.com/option-strategies/call-ratio-vertical-spread

In this episode of the Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down a wild Tuesday in the options pits where the "usual suspects" shared the stage with some massive earnings-driven volatility. While the broader market volume was steady, individual names like Micron (MU) and UnitedHealth (UNH) stole the spotlight with explosive moves and unusual paper. The Countdown Highlights: The Nvidia Standard: Even on a "light" day, Nvidia (NVDA) holds the #1 spot with 1.46 million contracts. We look at the $190 calls as traders bet on a return to the mid-session highs. UNH's Earnings Crater: The healthcare giant plummeted nearly 20% following a disappointing outlook. We dive into the massive open interest on the $600 calls—expiring in 2027—and ask: is this a bold recovery play or a massive hedge? Micron is "On Fire": Closing up another 5.4%, Micron's $420 calls are fetching nearly $10.00. How much gas is left in this AI-fueled tank? Tesla Tumbles (in Volume): In a rare twist, Tesla gets kicked to the #4 spot with v

On this episode of The Crypto Rundown, Mark Longo is joined by Greg Magadini, Director of Derivatives at Amberdata, to break down a wild start to the year. As Bitcoin (BTC) slips back toward $88k and Ethereum (ETH) struggles to reclaim the $3,000 handle, the team explores why current market conditions are a prime setup for "strangling" volatility. Inside This Episode: The Bitcoin Breakdown: BTC is down nearly 4,000 handles since the last show. We analyze the $88k support level and the shift in the 30-day volatility complex. Gold vs. Bitcoin Volatility: Why is a $34T asset like Gold currently showing nearly the same volatility as the $1.7T Bitcoin market? Greg explains the "Digital Gold" underperformance and what it means for the tape. The Rise of IBIT Dailies: Big news for liquidity! We discuss the launch of Monday and Wednesday weeklies for the BlackRock IBIT ETF and how "Zero Day" (0DTE) culture is officially entering the Bitcoin space. MicroStrategy (MSTR/MSTU) Mechanics: Analyzing the "canary in t

We kick off the trading week by breaking down a "light" but high-impact session on the options tape. Despite a lower overall volume day, the big stories are in AI infrastructure and critical minerals. We dive into Nvidia's (NVDA) massive $2 billion investment in CoreWeave (CRWV) and the resulting volatility in the options chain. On the Countdown Today: #1 Nvidia (NVDA): We see light volume but heavy action in the $190 calls. #2 Tesla (TSLA): We track paper shifting from the $450s to the $440 calls—is overriding the play? #3 Apple (AAPL): We break down a massive May $285 call print suggesting a long-term bullish flyer. #9 CoreWeave (CRWV): We analyze the $110 call frenzy following the Nvidia news. #8 USA Rare Earth (USAR): We let the audience weigh in on the Feb $25 puts after a government-backed jump. Plus, we look ahead to a blockbuster earnings week featuring Meta, Microsoft, and the return of meme-king GameStop (GME) to the top 5. Access your own options data at  TheHotOptionsReport.com .

Skeletor is lurking, the metals are screaming, and the earnings gauntlet has begun! In episode 1439 of The Option Block, Mark Longo and the All-Star panel—including "Uncle" Mike Tosaw and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi—take a trip back to the 1980s. With the massive trailer launch for the new Masters of the Universe film, the team kicks things off with some MOTU trivia before breaking down a market that is getting "weird, wild, and funk-delicious." On the Docket: The Trading Block: A look at the "insane" run in Gold ($5k/oz!) and Silver ($100+/oz). Is it a meme, or is inflation finally catching up? Plus, a preview of the "Big Tech" earnings week featuring Meta, Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla. The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Papa John's (PZZA) puts, a massive upside play in Aero Copper Corp (ERO), and the "Trump Bump" fade in newcomer USA Rare Earth (USAR). The Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses the vital importance of choosing the right benchmarks (BXY, CLL, AGG) to measure your options performa

The Council of Elders Reconvenes: The Greenland Siege and the Power of Gamma In this episode of Volatility Views, the Council of Elders—Mark Longo, Russell Rhoads, and Mark Sebastian—gather at the Hall of Wisdom to break down a week of market madness that would make Skeletor blush. From VIX spikes driven by "Greenland Siege" headlines to the massive $100 breakout in Silver, the team analyzes the forces reshaping the volatility landscape. Inside the Hall of Wisdom: The Volatility Review: The team breaks down the "Greenland Whipsaw." We look at the VIX Cash flirting with a 20 handle before "deal" headlines sent vol crashing back to the Pit of Peril. Attack of the Zero DTEs: Huge news from NASDAQ! The Elders discuss the launch of daily options on individual equities. Is this a boon for traders or a "Snake Mountain" trap of contra-exercise risk? VIX Term Structure & Tactical Flow: Russell and Mark dive into the Feb/March roll and the staggering volume in Feb 25 and 35 calls. Plus, a look at the "Hero's

The Option Block goes on the road! This week, Mark Longo is coming to you live from the Securities Traders Association (STA) 100th Anniversary event in Chicago. Joined in person by Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz, the team breaks down the biggest highlights from the conference and the massive volatility shifts hitting the equity markets. On This Episode: Live from the Floor: Mark and Henry discuss the 100-year legacy of the STA and the evolution of the options industry from the birth of the CBOE in 1973 to today's high-volume digital environment. The State of the Industry: Henry shares key takeaways from his panel, including the explosion of volume in Single Stock, ETF, and Index options. Plus, a look at how Robinhood has reshaped retail education and reduced friction for a new generation of traders. Volume Predictions for 2026: With the market currently averaging 66-67 million contracts a day, are we on track for a record-shattering 17 billion contracts this year? Monday & Wednesday Expirations:

Geopolitical drama is back on the menu, and the futures options markets are feeling the heat. In this episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO), Mark Longo breaks down a wild week where nearly every complex saw a volatility explosion. From potential trade wars to "Greenland drama," we explore how the tape is reacting at CME Group. On today's episode, we dive into: The Movers & Shakers Report The Volatility Spike: A look at the CVOL (CME Volatility Index) across the board. Why Treasury vol is roaring back to life (up 10 points) and Energy is pining the needle at 69.35. Natural Gas Mania: Nat Gas jumps a staggering 57% as the polar vortex hits. Metals & FX: Precious metals explode in both price and vol, while FX vol gains a full point on trade war chatter. The Dark Side: Bitcoin slides over 8%, leading the losers alongside Palladium and Copper. Equities: The Big Tech Rotation Nasdaq vs. Small Caps: We analyze the pronounced rotation out of large-cap tech and into small caps. Zero-DTE

In this episode of The Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down a respectable day on the options tape, where it took over 522,000 contracts just to break into the Top 10. We dive deep into the massive retail and institutional flow hitting the tape for Tesla (TSLA) as robo-taxi hype sends shares soaring toward the key $450 level. We also analyze the fallout from Intel (INTC) earnings—why the stock is sliding in the after-hours despite a recent massive run—and look at the long-term "winner winner chicken dinner" bets being placed on Netflix (NFLX). On today's report, we cover: Tesla (TSLA): The battle for the 450 strike and the massive volume leading the tape. Intel (INTC): Post-earnings breakdown—why the Jan 60 calls are feeling the pain. Netflix (NFLX): Huge size moving in the September 100 calls. Is paper betting on a long-term recovery? Meta (META): A massive $34 rally—is the "bargain" hunt officially on? Nvidia (NVDA) & AMD: Tracking the semiconductor giants as they navigate pre-earnings po

Mark Longo breaks down a tumultuous week 3 of 2026 as geopolitical tensions over Greenland drive massive futures volume. The first three weeks of 2026 have been a geopolitical whirlwind. From "snatch and grab" maneuvers in Venezuela to carrier strike fleets moving toward Iran, and now a brewing trade war over Greenland, the futures markets are lighting up with volatility. Mark Longo takes you into the trading pit for a breakdown of what's limit up and what's crashing. Inside the Trading Pit: The Metals Super-Cycle: Silver continues its rampage, up another 7.6% this week after a 25% gain last week. Is it unstoppable? Energy Update: An arctic polar vortex is sending Natural Gas soaring over 21% this week. Meanwhile, Heating Oil jumps 6.25% as the cold snap hits the Midwest. Lithium's Wild Ride: Up nearly 11% this week and a staggering 42.4% year-to-date. Mark explores what's driving this electric move. The Crypto Slide: Bitcoin and Ether futures both outpaced the downside this week, dropping 6% and 9% r