The Option Block

Market volatility remains stubbornly persistent even as the S&P 500 blows past 7500 and the Dow hits 50K. In this episode, Mark Longo and the all-star panel break down why the "Thursday Curse" has officially become a "Thursday Blessing." The team dives deep into a massive day for single-name options, including a jaw-dropping pivot from Aramark (ARMK) into the AI data center space. Plus, Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz breaks down the unusual upside call kinks, "Uncle" Mike Tosaw discusses the isolated nature of this rally, and the panel analyzes the "dumpster fire" that is Ford finally finding a new spark. On this episode, the panel discusses: The Trading Block: S&P 7500, Dow 50K, and the curious resilience of the VIX despite all-time highs. Flowmaster Insights: Henry Schwartz explains why 44% of liquid stocks are showing inverted call skew. The Odd Block: Why is Aramark (the cafeteria people) suddenly an AI play? Plus, a look at Hyperliquid (PURR) and FIRMI. Portfolio Strategy: Mike Tosaw on managing covered calls during an explosive bull run. Earnings Watch: Previewing the heavy hitters still on the deck, including the big NVIDIA print.

Is "Old Tech" the new shiny toy? Mark, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi break down a market where legacy names are exploding and the "magical letters" of AI are breathing new life into forgotten tickers. From all-time highs in the S&P 500 to volcanic eruptions in semiconductor names, the panel navigates the latest trends, unusual activity, and protective strategies for this high-flying environment. On this episode, the team discusses: The Trading Block: A look at the S&P 500 hitting north of 7,400, VIX hovering near 18, and the "Everything Old is New Again" theme driving Apple, Intel, and Qualcomm. Single Name Surge: Breaking down the massive volume and price action in Nvidia, Tesla, Intel, Micron, and AMD. Plus, what's behind the resurgence of Nokia? The Odd Block: Unusual options activity in Sony Group (SONY), the minerals and geosciences play Ivanhoe Electric (IE), and the earnings-driven flow in Plug Power (PLUG). The Strategy Block: Uncle Mike explains how to use a 1x2 ratio put spread to get paid for buying stocks you want at a lower price while hedging for a potential pullback. Around the Block: Predictions for the rest of the week, the upcoming Nvidia earnings, and why now might be the time to look at protective puts.

The All-Star Panel is back together—mostly in person! Mark Longo and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz are reporting live from the floor of the Options Industry Conference (OIC) 2026. Joining them from the (slightly) quieter confines of St. Charles is Uncle Mike Tosaw. In this special episode, the crew breaks down a blistering week in the markets where all-time highs are becoming the daily norm. Henry Schwartz shares exclusive insights from his "State of the Industry" presentation, revealing a massive surge in contract volume and the future of the options exchange landscape. On the Docket: The Trading Block: S&P 500 hitting 73.5? The panel discusses the "madness" of the current bull run, the Middle East geopolitical impact, and why Apple is being rewarded for its AI patience. State of the Industry: Henry drops the data on why we're on track for 18 billion contracts in 2026. Plus, the evolution of 0DTE (Zero Days to Expiration) and the rise of event contracts. The Odd Block: Unusual activity in Gambling.com (GAMB), the "Hype" token tracking stock (PURR), and a massive reaching-for-the-stars call buy in Cognizant (CTSH). Around the Block: Predictions for the summer doldrums (or lack thereof) and why the VIX isn't budging despite minor pullbacks.

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. On the Block: 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. Featured Partner: Join TastyTrade today and earn a double commission rebate of up to $3,000 on your stock and ETF options trades for 30 days—visit tastytrade.com/insider for details.

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. In this episode: 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.