The Option Block

The Option Block All-Star Panel breaks down the latest developments in the options market, analyzes unusual options activity, explains cutting-edge options strategies, answers listener questions and much more. Whether you're an active options trader or just getting started in the options market, The Option Block will keep you informed and entertained.

The Option Block is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 1,000 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Option Block, a business show with 1,000 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #1505

  The Option Block 1505: Call Paloozas, Surprise Trillionaires, and Secret Plague

  Oct 5, 202658 min

  Unusual call activity lights up Pacific Biosciences and United Microelectronics as tech stocks climb and volatility retreats. Mark Longo, Andrew Giovinazzi and Mike Tosaw break down the options market, debate potential trillion-dollar IPO valuations and take a strange detour into secret Russian plague-lab headlines. On this episode: • NVIDIA and Tesla battle for the top spot in single-stock options activity, with updates on Meta, Apple, AMD and other active names. • PACB's rally draws large December call trades. • Long-dated UMC calls raise questions about whether traders are buying upside or selling premium. • VIX and VVIX retreat as the panel weighs volatility calls, inexpensive puts and potential election risk. • Mike explains how covered call ladders can help investors gradually exit concentrated, appreciated stock positions while collecting premium. • The crew shares what they're watching next in Treasury yields, equities and volatility.

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  Episode #1504

  The Option Block 1504: Bloody Red, Bullish Green and Wild FRMI Upside

  Oct 1, 202658 min

  Stocks turn from red to green during the show, but the unusual options activity offers plenty of its own surprises. Mark Longo, Henry Schwartz of Cboe and Mike Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management break down the market reversal, VIX and VVIX, and the options trades catching their attention. In the Odd Block, the panel digs into a sizable January call purchase in Fermi (FRMI) despite the stock's steep decline, speculative upside call buying in eToro (ETOR), and aggressive call sweeps in Uniti Group (UNIT). They also explore: Heavy options activity in QQQ and IWM, plus the latest single-stock trading. Henry's takeaways from the Robinhood Summit, including extended options trading hours, automated trading and prediction markets. Mike's outlook for the S&P 500, Treasury yields and selling silver puts. The debate over Nvidia's stock buyback and whether listeners expect more upside. An unusual story about an investor passing up dividends to avoid crossing an ownership disclosure threshold. Plus, the panel shares what it's watching heading into the next session.

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  Episode #1503

  The Option Block 1503: Magical Dwarves and Dubious Buybacks

  Sep 28, 202658 min

  Nvidia's stock buyback sparks a debate on The Option Block: is it a sensible use of cash, or a warning sign near the highs? Mark Longo, Andrew Giovinazzi and Mike Tosaw also discuss rising yields, the market's resilience and the busiest names on the options tape. In the Odd Block, they examine unusual call activity in Alamos Gold ($AGI) and Aemetis ($AMTX). Then Mike walks through the adjustments he made to a Meta ($META) collar and explains how the position changed as the stock moved. Plus, a seven dwarves trivia question gives this episode its magical opening.

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  Episode #1502

  The Option Block 1502: Wild Whipsaws and the Rise of the Options Manifold

  Sep 24, 202656 min

  A sharp intraday reversal sends Mark Longo, Mike Tosaw, and Cboe's Henry Schwartz scrambling to keep up with the options tape. They discuss the swings in SPX, VIX, SPY, QQQ, and IWM, along with the pressure that rising interest rates and oil prices could put on stocks. Henry also brings back a curious idea from a Cboe quant conference: the "options manifold." Then, in the Odd Block, he digs into unusual call activity in Unity (U), Banco Bradesco (BBD), CCC Intelligent Solutions (CCC), and Papa John's (PZZA), including a trade that shows why a print at the bid may not tell the whole story.

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  Episode #1501

  The Option Block 1501: Another AI Face-Ripper

  Sep 21, 202657 min

  A powerful tech rally sends META, AMD, Intel, Nvidia and other major names surging as Mark Longo, Mike Tosaw and Andrew Giovinazzi examine what is fueling the market's renewed enthusiasm for the AI trade. The hosts break down heavy options volume in SPY, QQQ, IWM and VIX, including notable activity in VIX puts. They also analyze unusual options trades in MGM Resorts and Novo Nordisk before exploring how Mike managed a protective collar in META during the stock's dramatic rebound. Plus, the panel discusses interest rates, bond-market sentiment, geopolitical risk and what traders should watch throughout the week.

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