Option Block 282: A Whole New Kind of Stupid

Trading Block: There was a mild selloff on the street today. VIX cash continues to creep north, as the shutdown continues. Did VIX call sellers get out in time? Potbelly to join the ranks of high-flying IPOs? Tesla gain back all of the "fire losses".

Odd Block: Calls trade in eBay Inc. (EBAY), calls trade in Dex Media Inc. (DXM), and puts trade in Miller Energy Resources Inc. (MILL)

Xpress Block: A lot of Washington, rates and the dollar.

Strategy Block: Given the current increase in VIX, how can gamma play a role in an out-of-the-money credit spread?

Listener Mail:

Question from Destin - I know you guys have discussed the optimal collar construction in the past. How do you guys decided between that construction vs. a more traditional zero-cost construction?

Around the Block: Shutdown...Shutdown...Shutdown