Articles from the Experts

Option Block 200: It's a Celebration

Celebration Block: Let's pat ourselves on the back for lasting for 200 episodes, the most episodes of any program on our network, and probably the most episodes of any options podcast in history.

• We've had more episodes than: Seinfeld, Magnum PI, The Cosby Show, Full House, Different Strokes, Golden Girls & Three's Company.
• We also look back at the origins of the show and share some of our favorite moments along the way, including: Sebastian's many nicknames, Grigus' many stock picks, Tosaw's favorite strategies, favorite guest, favorite uncomfortable moments, and much more.
• We're also cooking up a new segment: live listener questions.

Trading Block: Potential budget compromise sparks a strong rally. Apple at $505! Who's back in? CBOE missed a great opportunity to have a tradable Apple VIX on Friday. Hostess going bankrupt - is the Twinkie gone forever? Can they be saved by Bimbo Bakery?  Intel lower after the news of their CEO retiring. Tyson Foods blows past estimates.
 Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson get today's OX hot seat and discusses OX's idea hub and walk limit product. Don't forget this is a short week for trading.

Around the Block: Beware of decay, and watch for bargains, because of this shortened holiday week. Fiscal cliff looking less perilous. Is this the return of the upside vol?

Option Block 198: Sex Scandals and Star Wars

Trading Block: All three major indices unchanged at 0. Mild vol selloff, following a mild rally after post-election selloff. CIA head forced out following a fantastically crazy scandal.

Odd Block: Unusual activity in Titanium Metals Corp. (TIE); bullish options are in play on drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY); unusual activity in Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. (FBC).

Xpress Block: John Grigus is on the OX hot seat today. What's he still doing in Groupon?

Strategy Block: Uncle Mike Tosaw discusses collars and understanding the Greeks.

Around the Block: Cisco earnings tomorrow after the close. Cosi and Dell: 11/15, Hot Topic: 11/14. Disney's bullish future following the purchase of Lucasfilm. Looking ahead to Black Friday.

Option Block 196: Election Edition

Trading Block: The market took off once early polling results came in, a broad-based rally across most of the market. Vol came in after being out most of the morning.

Odd Block: 30,000 contracts trade on the VIX Nov16 put.

Xpress Block: John Grigus gets the OX hot seat today to discuss VIX, recent highs in volume and the ex dividend date for Apple.

Mail Bag: Via email from Sigmund Fraud:
I have a 401k that's invested in the S&P. What's the best way to hedge it [outside of the 401k] from downside risk? Would beta-weighting with SDS be a good hedge or is there a better way? Also, I've heard the terms "hitting offers, lifting bids" (I hope I got that right), what does that mean?

Strategy Block: Andrew discusses back spreading the VIX and how it is the cleanest way to play a change in implied volatility in the indexes.

Around the Block: All eyes will be focused on the U.S. Presidential election.

Option Block 194: The Great AAPL Death Knell

Trading Block: The great Apple death knell? Tosaw is out! A momentous decision. Amazon and Apple earnings after the close. Facebook earnings earlier this week. 

Odd Block: Volatility plays heat up on KLA-Tencor (KLAC).
Xpress Block: Sean Fitzgerald gets the OX hot seat and discusses today's action on the desk. Russell credit spreads, GLD, and Zynga. 

Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses his new stock, Chevron, and the interesting trade he made.

Around the Block: Keeping an eye on Apple and Amazon after hours. GDP, Non-Farms and more earnings next week. Tosaw will now sleep for a few weeks.