Option Block 206: The Secret World of Open Interest

Trading Block: It was a bloody day on the market; screens were nothing but a sea of red. Apple is now creating its own vol excitement, this time in the 500's. Is Tosaw a degenerate weekly premium seller? VIX cash headed towards the upside. GLD is at a 13 vol -- how low can it go?

Odd Block: More bullish trading in Quicksilver, Inc. (ZQK) and Golden Minerals Co. (AUMN), also selling paper in AuRico Gold, Inc. (AUQ). Plus, a comment from Duffy: What's the best way to tell if a particular options activity is closing or opening transaction? Thank for your help.

Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson discusses the latest developments at OX. Google seems to be displacing Apple in term of chatter amongst customers. More interesting ideas being kicked out from the "Idea Hub.”

Strategy Block: Tosaw discusses the importance of synthetics, and how they relate to collars.

Around the Block: Earnings: Oracle 12/18, RIMM 12/20. RIMM is actually seeing some life recently.