The Option Block

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 call buying in this biotech after a legal dismissal. Is there a clinical catalyst on the horizon? T1 Energy (TE): A massive sweep in the February 10 calls. Why Henry is keeping a "steely gaze" on alternative energy. Clearway Energy (CWEN): Unusual March 40 call buyers as the clean energy sector sees a resurgence. The Mail Block: The 2026 VIX Crystal Ball The panel places their official bets on where the VIX will close on December 31st, 2026. Around the Block: Earnings & Geopolitics Earnings Watch: Initial results from Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, and Taiwan Semi (TSM). Looking Ahead: Previewing moves for Netflix (NFLX), United Airlines (UAL), Intel (INTC), and Charles Schwab (SCHW). The Global Picture: Keeping an eye on Venezuela, Iran, and the upcoming STA Conference in Chicago.

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 discusses the current bond environment and why it might finally be time to look at covered calls on $IEF or $TLT for extra yield. Around the Block: What to expect from the official kickoff of earnings season with the big banks (JPM, WFC, BAC) reporting later this week.

The first Thursday of the new trading year is here, and the panel is back to break down a wild start to 2026. From record-breaking volume milestones to unusual activity in AI beauty tech and defense drones, the team dives deep into the forces shaping the market this week. In This Episode: The Trading Block: Mark Longo (The Options Insider), Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management), and the Flowmaster Henry Schwartz (Cboe) review a mixed start to the session. While the S&P 500 struggles for direction ahead of the jobs number, small caps (IWM) are off to the races—up 5% year-to-date. 2025 Year in Review: Henry Schwartz provides an exclusive data deep dive into the sixth straight record-breaking year for options. Average Daily Volume (ADV): Nearly 61 million contracts. The 15 Billionth Contract: Henry reveals he tracked down the exact moment the milestone occurred—a spread in CoreWeave on the day after Christmas. Strike Proliferation: The industry has officially topped 2 million individual strikes available for trade. Odd Block: Things get weird with unusual activity in: Caesars Entertainment (CZR): Heavy put volume and long-dated March 33 calls. Oddity Tech (ODD): A massive $640k bet on April 50 calls for this AI-driven beauty company. Vision-Wave (VWA): Bullish drone play with volume 16x the norm following geopolitical defense headlines. Mail Block: The team discusses how to track the growth of new retail accounts and why "buying the dip" continues to be a dominant, albeit debated, strategy. Around the Block: Predictions for the upcoming Supreme Court tariff decision, a preview of financial earnings (JPM, BAC, GS), and why the "Mag 10" equal-weighted index is the new one to watch.

The 2026 trading year is officially underway! Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi gather for the first full trading week of the year to break down a massive 2025 and look ahead to the new market landscape. In This Episode: The 2025 Trivia Champion Revealed: After a grueling year of 1980s Trivial Pursuit, we finally crown the winner of the 2025 Trivia Challenge. Who took home the title between Uncle Mike, The Rock Lobster, and previous guest Dan Passarelli? The Trading Block: A robust start to 2026! The team analyzes the S&P 500's push toward all-time highs, the sudden surge in Financials (XLF) and Energy (XLE), and why Big Tech (Apple and Nvidia) is showing some early-year weakness. Record-Breaking Volume: We dive into the final 2025 numbers from the OCC. With over 15.26 billion contracts traded last year, we discuss what this explosive growth means for retail traders. The Odd Block: Unusual activity returns with a deep dive into Peloton (PTON) and a massive January 2027 call trade, plus some aggressive short-term upside speculation in Enovix Corp (ENVX). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike explains the "Time Non-Linear Time Decay Differential" and why calendar or diagonal spreads might be your best bet if you expect volatility to rise from these lows. Around the Block: Predictions for the year ahead, the impact of geopolitical headlines on the energy sector, and a look at the upcoming VIX expiration. Get More Options Insider: Pro Analysis: theoptionsinsider.com/pro The Network: Search "Options Insider Radio Network" on your favorite podcast app. TastyTrade: Visit tastytrade.com/podcasts to see why they were named the Best Broker for Options in 2024.

In this year-end finale, the All-Star panel gathers for a definitive look back at a historic 2025. From the "Tariff Tantrum" of April that sent the VIX screaming to 60, to the S&P 500 hitting all-time highs on Christmas Eve, Mark Longo and Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management break down the trends, the traps, and the massive volume records that redefined the options market this year. Plus, a solo trivia battle for the ages and a deep dive into why 2025 was truly the "Year of the Collar." Episode Highlights The Trading Block: A comprehensive 2025 post-mortem. The panel discusses the S&P's 1,000-point climb, the volatility spikes that caught traders off guard, and why hedged equity strategies became the essential tool for navigating the year's "madness." The 15 Billion Milestone: Mark breaks down the staggering 15,000,000,000 contracts traded in 2025—a 3x explosion since 2019—highlighting October 10th as the single busiest trading day in history. The Metals Mania: Uncle Mike reflects on Silver ($SLV) becoming the "meme stock of precious metals" and explains why he's finally fading the shiny stuff after a 50% gold rally. Odd Block: Reviewing the best "rolls of the bones" from the year, including activity in Bath & Body Works ($BBWI), steel rebar bets in Commercial Metals ($CMC), and e-commerce plays in VIP Shop ($VIPS). Strategy Block: Uncle Mike invokes "Miller Time"—explaining why the smartest move for the final week of the year is to "take the money and run" to get some much-needed rest before 2026 kicks off. Trivia Challenge: Uncle Mike faces off in a solo quest to defend his crown while the Rock Lobster remains MIA on vacation. Resources & Links Options Insider Pro: Join the community for exclusive live streams and Q&As at theoptionsinsider.com/pro . Broker Spotlight: Find out why Investopedia named Tastytrade the Best Broker for Options in 2024: tastytrade.com/podcasts . Follow the Network: Search "Options Insider Radio Network" on your favorite podcast platform.

The Option Block: Holiday Havoc, iRobot Reversals, and Year-End RMDs The All-Star Panel is back to wrap up the year! Host Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and The Rock Lobster Andrew Giovinazzi dive into a festive but frantic market to break down the latest unusual activity and essential year-end strategies. The Trading Block: Market Sentiment: How the holiday season is warping typical market movements and what to expect from the "Santa Claus Rally." Unusual Activity in iRobot ($IRBT): Breaking down the latest heavy flow in the robotics space. Gap ($GPS) Check-in: Analyzing the recent retail trades as the year comes to a close. The Strategy Block: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Uncle Mike breaks down the critical deadlines and pitfalls for traditional IRAs. Don't let the IRS take a bigger cut than necessary. Holiday Trading Hours: Insights on the best (and worst) times to put on trades when liquidity is thin. Around the Block: Favorite Christmas Movies: The team debates the holiday greats. Is A Christmas Story still the king, or does Elf take the crown? Plus, thoughts on the stop-motion nostalgia of Rudolph. Check out more from The Options Insider: TheOptionsInsider.com Follow us on Twitter: @Options

The Option Block: Silver Thieves, Options Records & Suspicious DJT Trades The All-Star Panel convenes for the final Thursday of 2025! Host Mark Longo is joined by Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz (Cboe) and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) to break down a wild year-end session. The Trading Block The 15 Billion Milestone: Henry Schwartz predicts when the 15,000,000,000th options contract of 2025 will trade. Silver's Historic Run: Mike Tosaw discusses the "thief in the night" move in SLV as it hits new highs, and why he's finally fading the metal. Market Rotation: A look at the aggressive move back into tech (XLK, Micron, Palantir) following cooler CPI data. The Odd Block DJT "Skullduggery": We analyze suspicious call buying in DJT (Trump Media) immediately preceding a 40% jump on fusion merger news. Leslie's Inc (LESL): Why is someone grabbing thousands of calls in a stock that has dropped 95% this year? Ticker Autopsy: A look back at the failed $210k bet on IPA (now HYFT).

Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management), and Andrew 'The Rock Lobster' Giovinazzi (The Option Pit) break down the final full trading week of 2025. This high-stakes episode covers the shocking conclusion to the '80s Trivia Challenge, explosive VIX and index flow, and a crucial year-end Tax Strategy discussion. The '80s Trivia Challenge: A Consequential Loss The dramatic conclusion of the year-long contest: Uncle Mike vs. The Rock Lobster. The hosts sweat it out in a high-pressure round of Sports & Leisure trivia. Find out who claims the point and if the "Chicago Politics" conspiracy theories hold up! The Trading Block: End-of-Year Market Breakdown The VIX Cash index is rallying off recent lows. Is this December different from years past? The Rock Lobster confesses his VIX Puts strategy was his "worst product" of the year due to being a "Greedy Pig" and not monetizing the downside swings. The panel also looks at key single-name movers like Apple (AAPL), Broadcom (AVGO), and a roaring Tesla (TSLA). Hot Options Report: VIX Puts & SPY Zero Day Flow Detailed analysis of today's hottest option: The dirt-cheap Dec 15th VIX Puts for $0.04. Plus, a look at the massive flow in SPY (SPY) and SPX (SPX) index options, confirming the zero-day trend, alongside surprising upside action in the QQQ (QQQ) Calls. Strategy Block: Crucial Year-End Tax Planning Uncle Mike provides essential guidance on year-end tax strategies. He details how to use Tax Loss Harvesting to offset gains and reminds traders about the Wash Sale rules. A must-listen segment covers the Mark-to-Market rule for 1256 Contracts (like SPX options) before the December 31st deadline. Around the Block: Silver (SLV) Poll & All-Time Highs The team forecasts whether Silver (SLV) can continue its historic run into 2026. Plus, predictions on if the SPX can hit new All-Time Highs before the new year.

On this crucial post-Fed episode, hosts Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Henry 'The Flowmaster' Schwartz (Cboe) deliver expert options trading analysis and strategy. The team breaks down the dramatic Oracle (ORCL) plunge, the latest VIX and index (SPX, SPY, QQQ) volatility, and Henry Schwartz's insights into unusual options flow. Plus, a deep dive into the newly launched Cboe MAG 10 index options and market predictions for the highly anticipated Santa Claus Rally. The hosts also investigate unexpected options activity in names like Sentinel One (S), Rocket Labs (RKLB), and Honda Motor Corp (HMC). Tune in for essential year-end market strategy!

Today, The Option Block dives into the most important topics for active traders: options trading strategies and detailed market analysis. Host Mark Longo, joined by co-hosts Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Andrew Giovinazzi (The Option Pit), focuses on VIX trends and how to profit from a changing volatility landscape. We break down the anticipation for the upcoming Federal Reserve announcements and provide key insights into their potential impact on the options market. Plus, get an in-depth analysis of unusual options activity in stocks like Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) and TMC. Market Analysis: Intricate trends in the VIX and strategies for dealing with general market volatility. Trade Breakdown: Unusual activity in WBD and TMC options flow. Upcoming Earnings: Key insights and options trading strategies for major reports from Oracle and Broadcom. Forward Look: A final roundtable on what to watch for in the trading days ahead, especially concerning Fed decisions. Don't miss this essential guide to navigating the current options market landscape.

In this episode of The Option Block, host Mark Longo (The Options Insider Media Group) and our expert panel deliver a crucial breakdown of the current options market trends. We dive deep into analyzing unusual options activity, dissecting key index volumes across VIX, SPX, IWM, and QQQ. Our discussion features insights from Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Henry Schwartz (Cboe Global Markets). We cover volatility signals and the explosive growth of binary and prediction markets, debating their future on major exchanges. Plus, we get an exclusive look at new CBOE products and market events. Don't miss our detailed options analysis on individual stocks, including Meta, Gap, United States Antimony Corp, and Intuitive Machines Inc. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps & Key Topics 02:15 | Market Sentiment & VIX Activity Analysis 08:40 | Index Options Volume Breakdown (SPX, IWM, QQQ) 14:55 | Individual Stock Deep Dive: Meta, Gap, United States Antimony Corp, Intuitive Machines Inc. 23:10 | The Binary Markets Debate: Should they be listed on everything? 32:00 | Focus on New CBOE Products and Upcoming Market Events 🔗 Connect & Subscribe Follow The Option Block for weekly options trading insights!

In this episode of the Option Block, the hosts bring you deep into the world of options markets, analyzing recent unusual trading activities and examining how these moves might play out. Mark Longo and co-hosts Uncle Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management and Andrew Giovinazzi from The Option Pit discuss significant movements in the VIX, SPY, and other major indices. They analyze specific stock activities, from Knight Swift Transportation Holdings to iRobot, and speculate on the future of these stocks. The show also offers strategic advice on hedging strategies and a glimpse into upcoming earnings reports. The episode wraps up with a focus on how current economic indicators, such as precious metals prices and bond market moves, impact the options market.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management CO-HOST: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option Pit In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics, including unusual activities in the options market, such as trades in JBS NV (a Brazilian meat processing company), B2Gold Corp, and Ecopetrol. Additionally, we discuss the market's current dynamics, particularly focusing on the recent rally in tech stocks and precious metals. The episode also features a lively segment of 80s trivia and ends with Uncle Mike Tosaw's annual Thanksgiving advice along with forward-looking market strategies.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Henry Schwartz, Cboe Global Markets CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management In this episode, the hosts tackle volatile market movements, significant options trades, and market strategies. The discussion spans from fresh options activity in under-the-radar stocks like Garrett Motion and Topgolf to the broader implications of major movements in indices and popular stocks such as Nvidia, Tesla, and Amazon. The hosts also explore the regulation and impact of sports betting on financial markets, the introduction of new indexes like the Mag 10, and predictions for market behavior heading toward 2026.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management CO-HOST: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option Pit In this episode, the panel discusses the current state of the options market. They also look at unusual options activity in CMC and QGEN. Uncle Mike Tosaw provides a Strategy Block focusing on the importance of responsible options trading and knowing when to exit a position. Market conditions, including significant whipsaw action in the S&P 500 and notable upcoming earnings reports from major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Target, are analyzed. The episode concludes with insights on what the hosts are watching in the market for the upcoming week.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Henry Schwartz, Cboe Global Markets CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management Topics discussed on this episode include unusual market activity in Bitdeer, Lucid, and RGTI and the impact of recent earnings reports on market movements. The episode also covers the new VIX decomposition tool from Cboe, listener questions, and strategies for trading in the current market environment. Additionally, the weekly poll focusing on precious metals like GLD and SLV reveals interesting perspectives from the audience. The show wraps up with a look at upcoming market events and strategies to watch.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management CO-HOST: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option Pit In this episode, the hosts discuss a variety of topics impacting the options market. Key discussions include the government shutdown and its effects, market analysis, strategy insights, listener questions, and notable trades of the day. They also highlight unusual activity in Comcast and VIP Shop Holdings, earnings previews, and strategic tips for managing options. The show provides a deep dive into the market dynamics, trading strategies, and options education, all while engaging listeners with trivia and light-hearted banter.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Henry Schwartz, Cboe CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management This episode covers the impact of current market conditions, the continued rise in options trading volume, and specific case studies on individual stocks like Gap, Inc. and Aida Inc. Special attention is given to trading strategies, the influence of market events such as government shutdowns, and the role of zero-DTE options.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management CO-HOST: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option Pit This week, the All-Star panel is stunned by the Big Tech and AI momentum that's pushing stocks to absurd levels. Andrew "Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi uses an analogy from The Producers to describe the ridiculous, runaway success of the "Mag 7" and the OpenAI frenzy. Is this a guaranteed flop, or are investors destined to be unexpectedly rich? Inside the Block: The Big Tech/AI Metaphor: Why the surprising, explosive rally in tech reminds us of a famous, satirical Broadway flop. Shocking Moves: "Uncle" Mike Tosaw details why he has sold 95% of his long-held silver exposure—a truly historic moment! Odd Block: We break down the unusual order flow in a few newcomers, including high-flying biotech KNSA and semi-related AMKR. Earnings Blitz: A massive week ahead with Uber, Spotify, AMD, and more—plus, a look at the wild vol priced into HIMS and PLTR.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group CO-HOST: Henry Schwartz, Cboe Global Markets CO-HOST: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management This episode dives into the latest trends and activities in the options market, featuring key discussions on AI spending by companies like Meta and Microsoft and its effects on their stock prices. The hosts analyze market movements, unusual trading activities, and speculate on the potential impact of upcoming earnings from major companies like Apple and Amazon. The show also covers listener opinions on whether current market valuations are sustainable, given the lofty PE ratios and potential bubble-like conditions. Additionally, the episode features some tips for monitoring market events in the coming days.