Option Block 167: TVIX Apocalypse

Trading Block: VIX failed to do much today. TVIX still lighting up the tape, a surprise to all of us. Some activity going on in the Facebook Aug calls and puts. Retail sales down 5% in June. JPM “Hedge Loss” now $5.8B -- always the same old story. PFG Best still spiraling into the toilet, the story seems to have taken Chicago by storm.

Odd Block: Unusual and interesting activity in Intersil Corp. (ISIL) and PPL Corp. (PPL).

Xpress Block: Sean Fitzgerald discusses American Express on the upside, and Groupon on the downside.

Listener Mail: Implied vs Realized vol for credit spreads

When considering volatility levels in opening a credit spread, which should have more weight in that consideration - implied vol or realized vol? Or, do both need to be considered in relation to each other? BTW, love the shows. Where else can one listen in on discussions regarding options, movie reviews and the mating habits of aquatic life? (Via the Options Insider forum from Phil, thepostguy)

Around the Block: A lot of Fed talking this week, what's Bernanke going to say? Watching corn futures. Yahoo announcing new CEO. Earnings, Earnings, Earnings!