Option Block 400th Episode Spectacular

Our favorite episodes, listener questions and memories from 400 episodes of the Option Block.

Listener Mail Palooza:

• Question from Charles B - Great show guys. Congrats on your continued success. I recently stopped trading options on Google and PCLN because the spreads were just too wide. Why do the market makers do this? Is it not in their best interest to provide an incentive for traders like me to actually trade the product? If I cannot afford the spread then everyone loses.
• Question from S Davis - Love all your UA shows on the network including Oddities and the Odd Block on The Option Block. I find this stuff endlessly fascinating. I wonder if you could clear up an issue for me. I do not really understand the rules about insiders and options. I know that an “insider” cannot just sell his stock before a non-public event without a great deal of disclosure. But what are the rules regarding options? Is buying a put considered analogous to selling the stock from a disclosure perspective? Is it illegal for an insider to buy puts ahead of a material non-public event? Thanks for clearing up this very basic question and for creating such great programs.
• Question from Alan Pinkman - Hello Mark along with the Viceroy, Uncle, Lobster and Meatball. I know many of you came from a market making background. But I also note that all of you are “former” market makers. What was it that prompted your exit from the business? Do you think it is even worth exploring that as a career path any longer or is options market making pretty much done as a career these days?

Looking ahead to future episodes: What would you guys like to see on the show in future episode?