The Option Block

The market is caught in a tug-of-war between geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the relentless AI spending boom. In this episode, Mark Longo, Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi, and "Uncle Mike" Tosaw break down why the indices are shaking off war jitters to focus on massive server farm investments.

The panel explores the "post-ceasefire" volatility environment, the surprising resilience of Mag Seven earnings, and the massive $700 billion projected spend on AI infrastructure. Plus, a deep dive into unusual activity in names you haven't heard in years—including a legacy giant's attempt to pivot to AI.

• The Trading Block: VIX cash flirts with an 18 handle, while Nokia and Caterpillar become unexpected AI plays.

• The Odd Block: Unusual options activity in Aurora Innovation (AUR), a "Viceroy Special" in Xerox (XRX), and haptic tech plays in Immersion Corp (IMMR).

• The Strategy Block: Uncle Mike breaks down Timeframe Selection—the pros and cons of daily vs. monthly covered calls and how to maximize time decay.

• Mail Block: Listener questions on rising gas prices, EV interest in Tesla and Rivian, and the panel's take on the new Hulk Hogan documentary.

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AI spending is moving the needle on the US GDP, and the Option Block panel is here to break down the massive capital allocation driving the markets. In this episode, Mark Longo is joined by Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe and Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management to discuss whether the market is "cutting a fat hog in the butt" with these record AI expenditures or if we're witnessing a historic capital misallocation.

• The Trading Block: A deep dive into the mega-cap earnings sweep. From Meta's spending spook to Alphabet's cloud success and Microsoft's mixed bag, the team analyzes how AI CapEx is now a primary driver of market sentiment.

• The "Fat Hog" Trade: Mike Tosaw explains his covered call strategy in Qualcomm (QCOM) and why sometimes making a 6% premium in a month still feels like leaving meat on the bone.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Blue Owl Capital (OWL), Imperial Petroleum (IMPP), and a "palette cleanser" trade in Levi Strauss (LEVI).

• Around the Block: Predictions for Apple earnings, the upcoming OIC conference, and why the "buy the dip" mentality persists in the face of macro uncertainty.

Is the market pricing in a "Peace Dividend" before the peace actually arrives? Host Mark Longo is joined by "Uncle" Mike Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi of Option Pit to break down a market that refuses to quit. Despite geopolitical tensions, the S&P 500 is flirting with all-time highs—is this a "Peace Dividend" or just aggressive momentum?

In this episode, the panel dives into:

• The Trading Block: A look at the "drifting" market, VIX cash levels, and the massive rally in tech. Why are algos and retail traders buying the dip with both hands?

• Earnings Palooza: Preparing for the "mother of all earnings weeks" with Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Intel on deck. Plus, a look at the wild volatility haircut in Amazon's straddle.

• The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Vila Silver Corp (VZLA), a massive pre-earnings play in NOV Inc (NOV), and the explosion (and subsequent implosion) of Poet Technologies (POET).

• Strategy Block: Uncle Mike shares a "low-risk entry" strategy using SPY call diagonals to capture double leverage with limited downside.

• 80s Trivia: A heated battle over science and geography that leaves the panel questioning everything (including the color of a Chow Chow's tongue).

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If you think the market makes sense right now, you haven't been paying attention. This week on the Option Block, host Mark Longo is joined by Dan Passarelli (MarketTaker Mentoring), Brian Overby (The Options Playbook), and Kevin Carter (Cboe Global Markets) to navigate a market that is equal parts predictable and head-scratching.

On the Docket:

• Trading Block: A look at the surging price of crude and why semiconductors are carrying a "tired" market.

• The Odd Block: We investigate massive call buying in FIGS (Medical Scrubs) ahead of earnings. Is it a retail frenzy or institutional positioning? Plus, unusual flows in Hasbro (HAS) and Comcast (CMCSA).

• Strategy Session: Brian Overby breaks down his recent trade in Netflix and explains the mechanics of a back ratio spread to repair a stock position (The "Covered Call on Steroids").

• Volatility Watch: Discussing why the VIX remains largely "hunched" despite a sea of red on the screens and geopolitical bullets flying.

• Mail Block: Listeners ask about the updated SKU index and the tactical use of high vol.

Join Mark Longo, Mike Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi as they break down a head-scratching Monday open. Despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and firing in the Straits, the markets remain resilient. Why is capital still fearlessly flowing into equities?

In this episode, the panel dives into:

• The Trading Block: A look at the "Green Day" phenomenon, VIX levels, and why "AI magic" seems to be offsetting interest rate jitters and geopolitical unrest.

• Odd Block: A deep dive into unusual activity in Pitney Bowes (PBI)—a name that hasn't surfaced on the network in nearly 20 years—and the recovery play in Coursera (COUR).

• Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw explains why "Dudes gotta be dudes" in your covered call portfolio and how to categorize your stocks like a football roster to maximize performance.

• Earnings Season: Previews for Tesla (TSLA), Boeing (BA), United Airlines (UAL), and the "Sneaky Fins" at Nokia.

• Trivia: Test your geography skills—do you know the capital of South Dakota and the "Pierre vs. Pier" pronunciation debate?

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Is this the "Golden Age" of derivatives trading, or are we just off the rails? In this episode, Mark Longo and the "All-Star Panel" break down an explosive week that saw the S&P 500 rally nearly 700 handles off the lows. With the VIX coming back to earth and new all-time highs on the horizon, the team explores whether the market has finally exhausted the bears.

On the Block:

• The Macro View: A look at the 10% gain in the S&P 500 since late March and why the "Dudes" (Big Tech names like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft) are leading the charge.

• RMC Recap: Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz returns from the Cboe Risk Management Conference with insights on the state of the industry and retail vs. RIA flow at Schwab.

• Zero DTE Debate: Is selling zero-day options becoming too crowded, or is there still a "free weekend" to be had?

The Odd Block:

• Merlin, Inc. (MRLN): A newcomer specializing in AI-powered autonomous flight (drones). Why is the stock up 300% from its lows?

• Compass Therapeutics (CMPX): Massive volume in biotech. Is someone betting on a binary event?

• Lucid Group (LCID): While the rest of the market rallies, the EVs are getting shellacked. We look at the bearish flow and potential "line in the sand" puts.

Markets shrug off geopolitical chaos yet again as the Option Block crew dives into stealthy U-boats, sneaky Finns, and surging stocks. Mark Longo, "Uncle" Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi break down the latest action in equities, volatility, earnings season, unusual options flow, and strategy in today's volatile environment.

• U-Boat trivia sparks another heated 80s challenge battle
• Markets rally despite escalating Middle East tensions
• VIX slips below 20 while traders pile into downside puts
• Goldman Sachs earnings reaction and major financial earnings preview
• Unusual options activity in Coupang (CPNG) and Nokia (NOK)
• Intel, Tesla, Palantir, Oracle, and CoreWeave heating up
• Strategy Block: How to trade elevated volatility with covered calls and vertical spreads
• Around the Block: What to watch into the next session

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Is the market finally out of the woods, or is this just a massive relief rally? On this episode of The Option Block, Host Mark Longo is joined by "Uncle Mike" Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management for "Uncle Mike Spotlight Week." The panel breaks down a market that seems determined to buy every dip following the de-escalation of hostilities in the Persian Gulf.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Trading Block: The S&P 500 eyes the 6,845 level as it nears positive territory for the year. We analyze the "truth" found in the charts versus the news cycle and look at the VIX as it exhales toward the 20 handle.

• The Odd Block: A deep dive into unusual activity in Photronics (PLAB) with June 55 calls, a massive swing for the fences in Satellogic (SATL) April 9 calls, and a post-mortem on the heavy volume in Terawulf (WULF).

• Big Tech Breakdown: Momentum shifts in Amazon (AMZN) and Meta, a surge in Intel (INTC), and why Palantir (PLTR) is seeing red despite the broader market green.

• Mail Call: We review the "Question of the Week" regarding the long-term market impact of Middle East conflict and settle the debate: Microsoft (MSFT) vs. Micron (MU).

• Around the Block: What to watch for as we approach the weekend, including WD-40 (WDFC) earnings and the critical technical resistance levels for the major indices.

In this episode of The Option Block, Host Mark Longo and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management dive into a wild Monday market. With "The Rock Lobster" hitting the slopes, the duo navigates a landscape filled with geopolitical headline risk, 80s sports trivia, and significant technical sell-offs.

The Trading Block: The panel analyzes the "Monday Rally" following a weekend of geopolitical tension. We look at the VIX hanging near 24, the impact of non-farm payrolls on a closed market Friday, and the massive volume in Tesla (TSLA) as it dips below the $350 level. Plus, a breakdown of the top 10 most actives including Intel (INTC), Apple (AAPL), and Nvidia (NVDA).

The Odd Block: It's a "blood-red" day for Veridian Therapeutics (VRDN). We examine the massive 22% drop and the suspicious put activity leading into May earnings. We also revisit Enovix Corp (ENVX) call buying and a "lose-lose" expiration scenario in Magna Corp (MAGN).

Strategy & Mail Block: Uncle Mike discusses Strike Price Selection for covered calls in a high-volatility environment—should you go for the "juice" at-the-money or play it safe? We also reveal the results of our "Gun to your Head" poll: Microsoft (MSFT) vs. Micron (MU).

Market volatility is mirroring the spring weather—swinging from 80 degrees to 40 in a flash. Host Mark Longo is joined by "The Flowmaster" Henry Schwartz of Cboe and Uncle Mike Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management to break down a record-shattering month in the options market and find out why everyone is suddenly trading... soup?

On this episode, the crew dives into:

• The Trading Block: A look at a massive "Red Thursday." We recap the overnight sell-off fueled by geopolitical tensions and the surprising intraday recovery.

• Volume Records: March was a "banger." We break down the OCC numbers showing over 1.5 billion contracts traded—the spiciest month in history.

• The Odd Block: * Campbell Soup (CPB): Why is there aggressive call buying in a stock the CEO allegedly caught on a hot mic disparaging?

  • Marathon Digital (MARA): Deciphering the massive roll in the 8.5 calls as crypto miners pivot to AI data centers.

  • Replimune Group (REPL): A 300% IV biotech play that has "wild" written all over it.

• Around the Block: Predictions on the long-term market impact of Middle East conflicts and what to watch for in a truncated holiday week.