Episodes

  • Mid-Year Options Trends Update: Surprises and Shakeups Galore!

    Mid-Year Options Trends Update: Surprises and Shakeups Galore!
    Jul 4 2025
    In this episode, Mark Longo provides a comprehensive midyear analysis of Google Trends data related to the options market. The discussion covers key terms like 'options trading', 'call options', 'covered calls', 'cash secured puts', and 'put options'. Surprising insights include the peak interest times for these terms, the top states showing interest, and notable spikes and declines. Key dates discussed include April 8th and June 8th. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to suggest other search terms for future analyses. 01:03 Midyear Checkup on Google Trends for Options Market 01:26 Interest in Options Trading Over the Past Year 02:49 Top Regions for Options Trading Interest 03:29 Interest in Call Options 04:57 Interest in Volatility 06:04 Interest in Covered Calls 07:43 Interest in Cash Secured Puts 08:35 Interest in Put Options 10:40 Conclusion and Call for Listener Input
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    12 mins
  • The Option Block Special: VIX and The Spice Girls - A Mid-Year Options Update

    The Option Block Special: VIX and The Spice Girls - A Mid-Year Options Update
    Jul 3 2025
    This episode provides a comprehensive midyear update on various trading topics and audience polls from 2024 through mid-2025. The discussions include insights into asset classes with potential upside in 2025, audience preferences on trading volatility, crypto, equities, and fixed income. The episode also covers detailed poll results on various specific trade setups involving VIX, specific stocks like Palantir, Nvidia, Apple, and some niche trades in lesser-known stocks. The episode explores the impact of geopolitical events on volatility and audience sentiment about market trends, along with some fun questions and polls about popular culture and unconventional assets. Additionally, the episode invites the audience to follow, interact, and ask questions on multiple platforms like Twitter, StockTwits, and Facebook. 01:01 Midyear Update: 2025 Asset Class Predictions 01:44 VIX and Crypto: Year-to-Date Performance 02:43 Listener Polls: VIX Options and Market Sentiment 05:22 February Market Insights: VIX and Palantir 08:02 March Madness: VIX, SPY, and Crypto Debates 11:55 April Showers: VIX, Palantir, and Nvidia 21:17 May Highlights: VIX, Quantum, and TV Show Polls 24:35 June Recap: VIX, Apocalypse Assets, and Oracle 32:23 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
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    34 mins
  • Wide World of Options: Tales from the Road: The Evolution of Retail

    Wide World of Options: Tales from the Road: The Evolution of Retail
    Jul 3 2025

    Join the Wide World of Options show on the road as host Mark Benzaquen welcomes JJ Kinahan and Jermal Chandler of IG North America (better known to investors as TastyTrade) as they talk about key challenges and opportunities for the retail trader and how technology is driving market growth.

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    35 mins
  • The Futures Rundown 39: What's the Deal With the Uranium Market?

    The Futures Rundown 39: What's the Deal With the Uranium Market?
    Jul 2 2025
    This episode explores the challenges and intricacies of trading uranium futures. Mark Longo and Dan Gramza discuss a listener question about the viability and current status of uranium futures listed on CME, revealing the lack of volume, industrial participation, and official dissemination. They suggest alternatives such as trading uranium-related ETFs, stocks, and even blockchain options. The hosts emphasize the importance of liquidity and risk management, providing listeners with insights into the broader implications of trading in esoteric and illiquid markets. 01:07 Introduction to Futures Markets 02:10 Exploring Uranium Futures 03:47 Challenges in Trading Uranium Futures 08:15 Alternative Uranium Investment Options 16:21 Final Thoughts and Resources
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    20 mins
  • Options Boot Camp 345: Covered Call Surprises and Bad Mid-Market Fills

    Options Boot Camp 345: Covered Call Surprises and Bad Mid-Market Fills
    Jul 2 2025
    In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) delve into various aspects of options trading, starting with a discussion on the current conflicts in the Middle East and their potential impact on volatility indices like the VIX. Listener questions are addressed on topics ranging from early call assignments to the appropriate time to venture into calendar spreads. The hosts also explain the concept of risk premium and the importance of liquidity when trading options. Useful advice is given for enhancing options trading strategies, emphasizing the significance of understanding market conditions and the nuances of different trading instruments. 01:04 Welcome to Options Bootcamp 02:40 Listener Mail Call 06:41 Market Taker Question of the Week 09:37 Understanding Risk Premium 13:12 Transitioning to Calendar Spreads 17:27 Handling Early Option Exercises 21:10 Midpoint Order Execution Challenges 25:07 Conclusion and Future Content
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    27 mins
  • OIC 2025 Conversations: Delisting Foreign Companies For National Security

    OIC 2025 Conversations: Delisting Foreign Companies For National Security
    Jun 29 2025

    On this episode we are joined in the Southern Studio during the Options Industry Conference by:

    • Jim Toes, President & CEO, Securities Traders Association

    Jim and Mark discuss:

    • The nuances involved in deslisting foreign companies in the name of national security.
    • His thoughts on the 0DTE Mag 7 proposal - does it make sense for the options markets?
    • Do we have to worry about transaction taxes making a comeback?
    • What's on the docket for the STA National Convention in D.C.?
    • and much more...
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    18 mins
  • Volatility Views 638: Paying the Iron Price for VIX Futures

    Volatility Views 638: Paying the Iron Price for VIX Futures
    Jun 27 2025
    In this episode, Mark Longo and his guests, Russell Rhodes (Kelley School of Business - Indiana University), Andrew Giovinazzi (The Option Pit), and Matt Amberson (ORATS) delve into a week characterized by remarkable market movements and surprising fluidity in volatility levels. The panel discusses specific options trades, the broader economic implications of recent events, and their own strategic trading insights. Punctuated by sharp analyses on macroeconomic indicators and a look-ahead towards earnings season, the hosts engage in rich discussions encapsulating the volatile yet intriguing landscape of the current trading environment. 01:05 Welcome to Volatility Views 01:52 Market Recap and Volatility Insights 03:24 Special Guests and Discussions 06:18 Volatility Review 21:42 Earnings Volatility Report 25:24 Volatility Surface Analysis 32:33 VIX Options Activity Overview 33:02 VIX Top 10 Contracts 35:22 Russell's Weekly Rundown 35:44 Monday's Block Trades 37:37 Tuesday's VIX Trades 39:18 Wednesday and Thursday VIX Trades 46:14 VIX ETPs and Market Analysis 51:38 Crystal Ball Predictions 55:39 Show Wrap-Up and Announcements
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    1 hr
  • TWIFO 455: Shocks and Surprises in Small Caps

    TWIFO 455: Shocks and Surprises in Small Caps
    Jun 27 2025
    In this episode Mark Longo dives deep into the ever-changing futures options landscape. Key topics include the performance analysis of tradable products such as gold, crude oil, and soybeans, with an emphasis on the volatility and top trades in these markets. Additionally, the episode features a special guest, Catherine Yoshimoto from FTSE Russell, who discusses the upcoming Russell Reconstitution. She provides insights into the changes in the market cap breakpoint, the shift of some 'Mag Seven' stocks partially into the value category, and the move to semi-annual reconstitution in 2024. The podcast also touches on various aspects of the Russell 2000 index, including recent trading trends, volatility movements, and notable trading activity. The episode concludes with a detailed explanation of the scheduling and methodology changes coming to the Russell indices. 01:03 Welcome to This Week in Futures Options 04:24 Movers and Shakers Report 12:45 Deep Dive into Equities with Catherine Yoshimoto 13:45 Russell Reconstitution Insights 29:00 Russell 2000 Options Analysis 34:24 Conclusion and Upcoming Events
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    40 mins