Option Block 263: The Wasted Year

Trading Block: A mild selloff across the board. GLD sells off fractionally on the day. ISE Gemini set to launch Aug 5. CBOE announces new VIX trading hours.

Odd Block: Pre-earnings run in Activision Blizzard Inc. (ATVI), stock replacement in Alcatel Lucent SA (ALU), interesting pre-earnings play in American Eagle (AEO), and was there a hedge in iShares MSCI Japan Index (EWJ)?

Odd Block Review: Looking back to 6/27: Goodrich Petroleum Corp. (GDP) - stock trading $12.90, buying 6,000 Aug 15 calls for $.45. Stock now trading $17.50, calls worth $2.96 - a $2.50 profit = $1.5M. Still 10K open on strike - looks like he hasn't closed these yet.

Xpress Block: "Big data week." It’s a wait and see situation. Nothing can derail the Tesla train.

Around the Block: A full calendar of economics this week. Non-farms Friday.