The Options Insider Radio Network

The options tape was lighting up on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, as the market clawed back from a bruising session. Tech roared back to life, led by a historic run in Intel (INTC) and a massive upside move in AMD. Mark Longo breaks down the top 10 most active names and the "Hot Options" driving the flow. On Today's Report: The Semiconductor Warpath: Micron (MU) continues its rampage, closing up 6.6% as traders pile into the 400 calls. Intel's Epic Run: INTC surges nearly 12% to close at $54.25. We look at the "outlandish" March 60 calls that aren't looking so crazy anymore. AMD Rocking: Up nearly 8% today, AMD put up 1.1 million contracts. Are the 250 calls too rich for your blood? The Tesla Appropriate Strike: TSLA climbs back over $430 on the heels of Greenland headlines. We look at the massive paper in the 420 calls. Nvidia Retakes the Crown: NVDA is back at #1 with 2.38 million contracts. Will the 185s hold through the end of the week? Plus: Analysis of flow in Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT),

In this episode, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli take a nostalgic trip back to the 80s to become the Masters of the Volatility Universe. Whether you're a "Prince Adam" of the markets or just starting your basic training, this episode is a comprehensive refresher on the most important force in options pricing: Volatility. The Drill Instructors break down: Volatility as the Speedometer: Why direction matters less than velocity when measuring vol. Realized vs. Historical Volatility: Understanding the concrete, backward-looking data of price swings. Implied Volatility (IV): Why Mark calls it the "Fudge Factor" of the options market and how it acts as a forward-looking forecast. The Volatility Risk Premium (VRP): Why options are often "overpriced" and how premium sellers harvest that edge. Supply and Demand: Dan's take on why IV is often more about market noise than actual future predictions. 2026 VIX Prognostications: Where will the "Fear Gauge" end the year? Dan puts his official number on the record.

The "Greenland Effect" took hold of the tape this Tuesday as geopolitical friction sent the markets into a sea of red. In this episode of The Hot Options Report, host Mark Longo analyzes a high-stakes session where safe-haven scrambles and tariff threats dominated the flow. While the top 10 required nearly half a million contracts just to break in, the real story was the massive retreat in semi-conductors and tech giants. Inside the Top 10 Options Breakdown: Nvidia (NVDA): The undisputed king puts up exactly 2.00 million contracts as trade war fears drive a 4.5% slide. Are traders loading up on the $180 calls for a late-week bounce? Netflix (NFLX): "Rolling the bones" ahead of earnings. We track the massive 100-strike call volume and the immediate $4 after-hours drop following the bell. Tesla (TSLA): A rough 4.2% haircut. We analyze the heavy activity in the now-in-the-money 425 puts as the 500 level fades into the rearview. The "Greenland" Laggards: Why Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) faced a straight

Join Mark Longo for the Friday, January 16th edition of the Hot Options Report as he breaks down a "banger" of a day in the options market. On a day where it took a massive 779,000 contracts just to break into the Top 10, the tape was dominated by explosive moves in semiconductors and some truly wild corporate "shenanigans." Today's Top Options Trading Stories: The Wolf Speed Phenomenon: Ticker WOLF shocks the market by kicking Nvidia and Tesla to the curb for the #1 spot. With 3.44 million contracts traded, the action was fueled by corporate restructuring fallout and a massive 1.14 million block of Jan 2 Puts. * The Semiconductor Surge: It was a banner day for chips. Micron (MU) popped nearly 8%, SMCI rallied 11%, and AMD saw heavy volume despite a late-day fade. We look at the strikes that paid off and the ones that left traders sweating. Tech Titan Tumble: Major names like Apple (AAPL) and Palantir (PLTR) came under pressure, leading to heavy premium-selling activity in near-term weekly options. Tesl

In this episode, Mark Longo is joined by Dr VIX Russell Rhoads and Andrew Giovinazzi (The Rock Lobster) to conduct a "post-mortem" on 2025 and break down the surprising trends defining the start of 2026. The team dives deep into the VIX/SPX correlation breakdown, exploring why the traditional inverse relationship failed many traders last year. Russell brings the hard data, revealing how 2025 nearly set a record for the highest inverse correlation—making diversification more difficult than ever. Topics covered in this episode: Volatility Review: A look at the "yo-yo" week in the S&P and the recent firmness in VIX Cash. The Correlation Myth: Why "buying the dip" worked but "shorting vol" was a losing battle in 2025. VIX Term Structure: Analysis of the Jan/Feb futures and the 100% premium to realized volatility. VIX Options Flow: Breaking down the massive activity in Jan 17 calls and the persistent "magic" of the 15 puts. The Crystal Ball: The team places their bets for next week's VIX close and de

Is Silver the new meme stock? Are Small Caps finally ready to lead the pack? Join Mark Longo of The Options Insider and special guest Rich Excell from the University of Illinois (and the Stay Vigilant Substack) as they break down a historic week in the futures options markets. From parabolic moves in metals to a massive rotation within the equity space, the guys analyze the data you can't find anywhere else. Inside This Episode: The Great Equity Rotation: Why tech is taking a backseat as the Russell 2000 (RUT) explodes. Is this the "mean reversion" trade of the decade? Silver's Parabolic Run: Silver is up over 20% in a week. We look at the "price insensitive" buying and the wild 120/125 call spreads hitting the tape. Treasury Volatility Collapse: With Treasury price vol hitting anemic lows, Rich explains why he's looking at asymmetric put butterflies to hedge against a yield backup. Movers & Shakers: A 70/30 split to the green side at CME Group this week. We analyze the carnage in Nat Gas versus t

The markets are showing a splash of green as we break down a wild week in trading with The Flowmaster Henry Schwartz (Cboe Global Markets) and Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management). From the unprecedented 20% weekly surge in Silver to the aggressive rotation out of Mag 7 tech and into Biotechs and Small Caps, this episode covers the critical moves every options trader needs to know. Plus, we look ahead to a heavy earnings week and reveal the panel's official 2026 VIX Crystal Ball predictions. On This Episode: The Trading Block: The "Meme-ification" of Silver The Silver Surge: Why Uncle Mike thinks Silver has officially entered "meme stock" territory after a staggering 20% move in one week. Market Rotation: Is the Mag 7 reign over? We discuss the rotation into the Russell 2000 (IWM) and the energy sector. Volatility Check: VIX comes back to earth toward the 15 handle, but the VVX remains "frothy" at 98. The Odd Block: Unusual Activity in Small-Cap Tech and Bio Ardelyx (ARDX): Aggressive c

It's a massive Thursday on the Hot Options Report (THOR) as host Mark Longo breaks down one of the most active trading sessions of 2026 so far. With nearly 800,000 contracts required just to break into the Top 10, the tape was on fire. We dive into the "on-again, off-again" dance between Nvidia and China, Intel's wild 25% year-to-date run, and a strange wave of deep-in-the-money and out-of-the-money puts dominating the tape in Apple, Microsoft, and Netflix ahead of Friday's expiration. The Top 10 Breakdown #1: NVIDIA (NVDA): Still the undisputed king with 2.76M contracts. Rallying 2% on China export optimism, traders are eyeing the $190 strike for tomorrow's close. #2: Tesla (TSLA): A tug-of-war at $438. Over 100k contracts traded at the $450 strike. Can the bulls reclaim that level by the bell? #3: Netflix (NFLX): "The Widowmaker" puts up 1.3M contracts. Significant interest in the $105 OTM puts expiring tomorrow. #4: AMD: Substantial volume in the $235 calls despite a close below $228. Are traders

Is the "Silver Rampage" the start of a massive new commodity super cycle? On this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo is joined by the newly minted VIX Crystal Ball Hall of Famer, Rich Excel, to break down one of the wildest weeks in commodity history. While the "Tech Wreck" pulls down equities, the metals are lighting up the tape with silver posting a massive 19% gain in a single week. We dive deep into why "price insensitive buyers" are driving spot prices higher and what it means for your trailing stops. Inside This Episode: 0:00 - Intro & The VIX Hall of Fame Induction 3:45 - Metals Dominance: Why Gold led and Silver is finally catching up with abandon. 7:15 - The Energy Flare-Up: WTI, Brent, and Heating Oil's 10%+ weekly surge. 11:00 - Silver Squeeze 2026: Are we looking at $100 Silver? Analyzing the 100+ IV. 16:30 - Ag Markets & The Breakfast Table: Why OJ and Cocoa are cratering while everything else pops. 21:10 - VIX Crystal Ball 2026: Rich Excel gives his official "Revoluti

Is the tech wreck just beginning, or are these "power puts" in Microsoft a sign of a short-term bottom? On today's Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down a high-velocity Wednesday where the "Fruit Company" saw heavy opening flow and MicroStrategy (MSTR) continues to be the primary lightning rod for crypto volatility. In this episode, we slice through the tape to look at: The Top 10 Countdown: From Microsoft (MSFT) giving back to the market gods to Nvidia (NVDA) holding the #1 spot despite lighter volume. The Big Tech Sell-Off: Analyzing the massive opening flow in the Meta 670 Puts and the "Power Puts" in MSFT. Bucking the Trend: Why AMD and Intel (INTC) managed to rally while the rest of the sector saw red. The Apple Play: A deep dive into the AAPL $260 At-The-Money calls—was this a bold bet or a massive mistake? MicroStrategy (MSTR) Madness: How MSTR briefly hit the $190 strike and what it means for the crypto-option correlation in 2026. Dividend Plays: Why Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) exploded fo

Options Boot Camp Episode 373 explores two major themes shaping today's options market: the rapid rise of IBIT options volume and the most misunderstood options trading strategies. Hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down why strategies like cash-secured puts, long puts, straddles, butterflies, and iron condors are frequently misused by traders, often due to poor education and unrealistic expectations. The discussion explains why "being okay with assignment" is not the same as wanting assignment, and how that distinction can dramatically change trading outcomes. The episode also examines how IBIT options rivaling VIX in volume has reshaped Bitcoin options trading, altered volatility skew, and attracted institutional and premium-selling participants to crypto markets. Designed for traders of all experience levels, Options Boot Camp delivers practical options education, real-world examples, and clear explanations of complex strategies. Produced by the Options Insider Radio Network.

The Hot Options Report for January 13, 2026 delivers a daily breakdown of the most active stocks in the options market, highlighting where traders are placing the biggest bets across calls and puts. Hosted by Mark Longo of the Options Insider Radio Network, this episode analyzes unusual options activity and high-volume trades in Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Intel (INTC), AMD (AMD), Meta Platforms (META), Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Netflix (NFLX), Alphabet / Google (GOOGL), and Stride Inc. (ASST). Listeners get insight into: The most active options contracts of the day Opening vs. closing options flow In-the-money calls and deep ITM puts Short-term market sentiment and volatility How institutional traders may be positioning If you trade stock options, follow options flow, or track unusual options activity, The Hot Options Report provides actionable insight into what's moving the market after the closing bell. Explore the full data set and run your own reports at TheHotOptionsReport.com. Produc

The tape is active, but is it explosive? Join Mark Longo on the Hot Options Report as we tear through the Top 10 most active names for Monday, January 12th. We're deep into the second full week of 2026, and the institutional paper is starting to show its hand. From Nvidia's massive Feb call overriding to Tesla's relentless tug-of-war at the 450 strike, we're breaking down the flow you need to know. On the Tape Today: The Big Two: Nvidia ($NVDA) and Tesla ($TSLA) battle for the #1 spot—see where the "smart money" is placing bets. The Comeback Kids: Alibaba ($BABA) explodes 10%—is the 170 call flow a sign of more to come? Plus, Oracle ($ORCL) regains its luster. Tech Check: We're tracking the paper in Apple ($AAPL), Amazon ($AMZN), and Netflix ($NFLX). Is that "closing paper" or a fresh volatility play? The Underdogs: Why Intel ($INTC) and SMCI are sneaking back into the Top 10. Don't trade in the dark. Get the institutional data that lighting up the options chains. Get More Heat: Full Data: TheHot

Is Bitcoin losing its "Digital Gold" status to traditional metals? Host Mark Longo and Bill Ulivieri of Cenacle Capital Management kick off 2026 by breaking down a frustratingly quiet crypto market. While BTC and ETH move like "widows and orphans" stocks, a new institutional player—The Canton Network—is appearing on the horizon. In this episode, we dive into: The BTC Breakdown: Analyzing the massive gap between Bitcoin and Gold performance. Volatility Shifts: How IBIT and TradFi are killing the legendary "crypto upside skew." Altcoin Universe: Why Ethereum is "sleeping" and what's next for Solana and Circle (CRCL). The "Drumroll" Moment: Bill introduces the Canton Network—the institutional play for US Treasuries on the blockchain. The 2026 Crystal Ball: Mark and Bill place their bets on where the VIX ends the year. This episode is brought to you by Amberdata. Eliminate infrastructure headaches and access granular digital asset data today at www.amberdata.io .

Kick off the second full trading week of 2026 with Mark Longo (The Options Insider Media Group) and Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) as they navigate a market that seemingly "doesn't give an F" about geopolitical turmoil. From potential military interventions to the Fed chair vs. the President, the panel breaks down why the S&P 500 continues to climb a wall of worry while the VIX remains suppressed. In this episode, we break down: The Trading Block: A look at the "Mad New Year" so far. Why is the VIX ignoring the headlines? Plus, a deep dive into the massive volume in Tesla ($TSLA), Nvidia ($NVDA), and the return of the Feb 15 VIX puts. The Odd Block: Unusual activity in newcomers Standard Lithium ($SLI) and Amprius Technologies ($AMPX). Is someone getting "AMP'd" up for a breakout? Smurfette Returns: We revisit the corrugated packaging play Smurfit WestRock ($SMURF). Is the Feb 50 call a smart overwrite or a speculative gamble ahead of earnings? Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusse

Is the energy market preparing for a $20 crude oil "washout"? In this episode, we tackle the geopolitical chaos in Venezuela and why the energy tape isn't reacting the way the headlines suggested it would. Join host Mark Longo along with Dan Gramza (Gramza Capital Management) and Carley Garner (DeCarley Trading) for a deep dive into the energy complex. We break down the reality of Venezuela's deteriorating infrastructure, the "capitulation" patterns in WTI crude oil, and Dan Gramza's incredible victory in our 2025 VIX Crystal Ball contest. The Venezuela "Oil Spigot" Myth: Why Dan Gramza believes it will take 5–7 years to rebuild Venezuela's energy infrastructure despite the current political shift. Crude Oil Capitulation: Carley Garner explains why WTI crude never bottoms out quietly and why the $55 support level is the "danger zone" for a potential plunge into the $40s or $20s. WTI Options Analysis: Tracking the massive flow in the Feb contract—specifically the 55-strike "double puts" and the disappear

Is the "Turnaround Trade" finally here for Intel? Host Mark Longo breaks down a massive day in the options market as we close out the first full trading week of 2026. From Intel's 11% rocket ship to Tesla's battle at the $445 strike, we're tracking the institutional paper and retail frenzy dominating the tape. What was lighting up the tape today? We dive into the Top 10 most active names, including a dense day of volume for Alphabet (GOOGL), Palantir (PLTR), and Amazon (AMZN). Plus, we look at the unusual long-term August paper hitting Netflix (NFLX) and why MicroStrategy (MSTR) bulls might be sweating after a 6% slide. Episode Highlights: Intel ($INTC) Fever: The stock that was $20 just months ago hits $45.55. We break down the winning 45-strike calls. Tesla ($TSLA) Tug-of-War: With over 3.2 million contracts traded, we look at the 445-strike action and why put buyers are feeling the pain. Nvidia ($NVDA) Check-in: A quarter-million contracts on the 185 strike—did the sellers win the day? The "Widow M

It is a New Year in the volatility markets! Host Mark Longo is joined by "Dr. VIX" Russell Rhoads and Mark Sebastian of Option Pit to break down a wild 2025 and peer into the crystal ball for 2026. From the "tariff tantrums" and "taper tantrums" of last year to the rise of 0DTE options and the recent "face ripper" ratio spreads, the team analyzes why the VIX median stayed elevated even without major explosive events. Plus, the moment you've been waiting for: we crown the 2025 Crystal Ball Hall of Fame winners and launch the official 2026 contest! What's Inside this Episode: The Volatility Review: A deep dive into the 2025 "Mad Vol Year." Why was the median VIX so much higher than normal? The 0DTE Impact: How zero-day options are reshaping the term structure and long-dated premium. VIX Face Rippers: Russell breaks down the bizarre ratio call spreads hitting the tape and what they signal for January and April volatility. The Crystal Ball Hall of Fame: We announce the four winners who nailed the 14.95 ye

The first "January Lion" of 2026 has arrived. Join Mark Longo and Carley Garner of DeCarley Trading as they kick off the new year with a high-octane look at the futures options landscape. From the aftermath of a historic 2025 to the geopolitical shocks of the first week of January, this episode breaks down why the "old rules" of the commodity markets are being rewritten. In This Episode: The 2025 Retrospective: A look back at a "once-in-50-year" event in the metals complex. Carley provides a candid "humbling" on the massive surge in gold and silver, and why 2025 was the year of the devoted trend follower. The Silver Beast: Silver dominated last year with a 140%+ gain. Carley and Mark discuss the "Reverse 2020" effect, the impact of triple-leveraged ETFs, and why trading Silver options right now requires nerves of steel and a massive margin account. Movers & Shakers: * The Light Side: A continuation of the metals rally (Silver, Platinum, Palladium) and a surprising 5% YTD surge in the Russell 2000

The first full trading week of 2026 continues to serve up a wild divergence in equity flow. In this episode, Mark Longo breaks down the top 10 most active names on the tape, revealing a market that is aggressively testing lines in the sand. While the "Monster" (MicroStrategy) claws its way back, the AI darlings are facing a stiff reality check. In This Episode: The Top 10 Countdown: We analyze the massive volume hitting the tape, with over half a million contracts required just to break into today's rankings. The AI Hangover: Nvidia ($NVDA) takes the #1 spot with 2.75M contracts, but it's not all bullish. We look at the 187.50 calls and whether sellers are finally taking control. Apple's $AAPL Rough Start: The fruit company continues its lackluster start to the year. We break down the massive deep-in-the-money put verticals clogging the tape. The "Monster" Lives: MicroStrategy ($MSTR) sees nearly 1M contracts as crypto bulls attempt to reclaim the $170 handle. Amazon's $AMZN Rally: One of the few br