The Options Insider Radio Network

The Options Insider Radio Network
undefined
Dec 23, 2025 • 10min

The Hot Options Report: 12-23-2025

Welcome to today's episode of The Hot Options Report—your essential guide to options trading and stock market analysis as we head into the holiday break. Host Mark Longo breaks down the day's market volatility, concentrating on the top options trades and key stock movements driving the tape before the holiday. In this episode, we dive into the massive trading volumes and unusual activity seen across the leaderboard, including a historic day for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and the continued dominance of Tesla (TSLA) and Nvidia (NVDA). On This Episode, We Discuss: The NVO "Pill" Pop: Novo Nordisk shares surged following the landmark FDA approval of the oral version of Wegovy. We analyze the explosion in call volume and what this fundamental shift means for the GLP-1 "Weight Loss War" heading into 2026. Tesla (TSLA) Sentiment: Tesla remains the undisputed king of the tape as it pushes toward key psychological levels. We break down the massive open interest and the "Santa Rally" positioning ahead of the highly anticipated January delivery report. Nvidia (NVDA) & The China Pivot: With reports circulating about a green light for specific AI chip shipments to China, Nvidia is seeing a massive influx of aggressive call buying. Is the "AI Trade" finding a second wind for the new year? Broad Market Check: Is the market gift-wrapped for a year-end surge? We look at the sentiment reflected in the major index options chains amidst thin holiday liquidity and record highs for the S&P 500. Unusual Activity Spotlight: We track the "Hot Trades" of the day, including surprising volume in names like MicroStrategy (MSTR) and Robinhood (HOOD). Year-End Positioning: A look at why traders are rolling positions and selling premium to capture holiday decay. Tune in for detailed insights into each options trade, the macro drivers behind today's tape, and the vital implications for active traders. Get more options data, charts, and analysis at: TheHotOptionsReport.com
undefined
Dec 23, 2025 • 59min

Volatility Views 660: It Finally Looks Like December

In this episode of Volatility Views on the Options Insider Radio Network, Mark Longo and Dr. Russell Rhoads dive into the shifting landscape of volatility as the final full trading week of 2025 comes to a close. While much of the market is heading into holiday "hibernation," geopolitical tensions are lighting up the commodity space. The team breaks down why Energy CVOL is pinning the needle to the upside while Treasury and FX volatility are being "taken to the woodshed." Key Topics Covered: The Venezuela "Brouhaha": How intensified pressure and crude embargoes are reviving Energy CVOL (WTI) and driving it to weekly highs. Commodity Volatility Split: A deep dive into the aggregate CVOL levels for Metals, Ags, and the broader Commodities complex vs. the dying volatility in Fixed Income. The VIX Term Structure: Analyzing the current curve and what the "post-Fed" environment means for the remainder of 2025. Vol Products in Focus: Performance updates and trade analysis for SVXY, UVXY, and VIX futures. Looking Ahead to 2026: Anticipated market movers and volatility catalysts for the new year. Listener Mailbag: Russell and Mark answer your questions regarding volatility products and specific trading strategies.
undefined
Dec 23, 2025 • 29min

The Hot Options Report: 12-22-2025

2025 Year-End Review with Nick Howard Episode Summary: It's the most volatile time of the year! In this Holiday Hot Options Special, Mark Longo and Nick Howard (creator of QuikOptions) break down the massive institutional moves closing out 2025. We dive deep into the top 10 most active options chains—including the heavy hitters like Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), and Broadcom (AVGO)—to see how the "smart money" is positioning for the January 2026 opening. Inside the Tape: Today's Most Active Chains We analyze the unusual activity and volume surges in the following names: The Big Three: Nvidia, Tesla, and Apple. Semiconductor Heat: Broadcom (AVGO) and AMD. Growth & Momentum: Palantir (PLTR), Netflix (NFLX), Meta, and Amazon. QuikOptions Feature Spotlight Nick Howard walks us through how to use thehotoptionsreport.com to stay ahead of the holiday whipsaws: Advanced Data Filtering: Finding the signal in the year-end noise. Custom Watchlists: How to track the "Santa Rally" candidates in real-time. Earnings Retrospective: Reviewing past earnings moves to project 2026 volatility. Listener Mailbag: Your Trading Questions Visualizing the Market: Will QuikOptions be adding Heat Maps soon? Scanning for Gold: How to find the specific "Hot Option" in a sea of strikes. IBIT & ETF Scans: Dealing with non-stock symbols in the scanner. Resources & Links Access the Tool: thehotoptionsreport.com The Options Insider Network: theoptionsinsider.com
undefined
Dec 22, 2025 • 25min

The Crypto Rundown 302: The Million Dollar Question

Holiday Whipsaws & The $90k Bitcoin Battle Episode Summary: Bitcoin is entering the holiday stretch with a fight for the $90,000 handle following the Fed's final interest rate cut of 2025. Host Mark Longo breaks down the high-stakes leverage building in the crypto markets. We analyze the "sell-the-open" pattern hitting U.S. sessions, the massive open interest in Bitcoin futures, and why the $85,000 floor remains the most critical support level for the end-of-year "Santa Rally."
undefined
Dec 22, 2025 • 1h 1min

The Option Block 1432: Canada Hates Hockey...IRBT Demise and More

The Option Block: Holiday Havoc, iRobot Reversals, and Year-End RMDs The All-Star Panel is back to wrap up the year! Host Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw, and The Rock Lobster Andrew Giovinazzi dive into a festive but frantic market to break down the latest unusual activity and essential year-end strategies. The Trading Block: Market Sentiment: How the holiday season is warping typical market movements and what to expect from the "Santa Claus Rally." Unusual Activity in iRobot ($IRBT): Breaking down the latest heavy flow in the robotics space. Gap ($GPS) Check-in: Analyzing the recent retail trades as the year comes to a close. The Strategy Block: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Uncle Mike breaks down the critical deadlines and pitfalls for traditional IRAs. Don't let the IRS take a bigger cut than necessary. Holiday Trading Hours: Insights on the best (and worst) times to put on trades when liquidity is thin. Around the Block: Favorite Christmas Movies: The team debates the holiday greats. Is A Christmas Story still the king, or does Elf take the crown? Plus, thoughts on the stop-motion nostalgia of Rudolph. Check out more from The Options Insider: TheOptionsInsider.com Follow us on Twitter: @Options
undefined
Dec 19, 2025 • 10min

The Hot Options Report: 12-19-2025

In this special midday edition of the Hot Options Report, host Mark Longo from the Options Insider Network covers the most active options trades of the day. Key highlights include high volumes and significant movements in options for Core Weave, Nike, AMD, Amazon, Oracle, Palantir, Apple, Beyond Meat, Tesla, and Nvidia. The episode emphasizes tracking the top 10 movers in the options market, with detailed insights into the notable contracts driving the day's trading activity. For more options data, go to TheHotOptionsReport.com.
undefined
Dec 19, 2025 • 30min

TWIFO 478: Crude Embargoes and Winter Wheat

Is the energy market ready for a supply shock? On the final TWIFO of 2025, Mark Longo breaks down the surge in Energy CVOL as the U.S. intensifies pressure on Venezuela. With a crude oil embargo ratcheting up, we examine how WTI Crude is reacting and what the "Smart Money" is pricing into the February options skew. We also shift our focus to the Ag complex, specifically Chicago Wheat (SRW), where we're seeing a surprising "Precious Metals-style" skew. From zero-cost collars in March Wheat to the massive 15% explosion in Palladium, we break down the movers and shakers at CME Group to close out the year. Movers and Shakers: The CME Group Heatmap The Dark Side: Natural Gas leads the decline (off 7.04%), followed by BTC Crypto (off 6%) and S&P Tech (off 4.5%). The Light Side: Palladium is the standout winner (up 15.1%), with Platinum (up 5.6%) and Silver (up 2.2%) following the shiny metal trend. Product Breakdown: Energy & Ag WTI Crude Oil: Analyzing the shift to a 5% put bid in February. Is the market fading the Venezuela rally? Chicago Wheat: Breaking down the 550 call vs. 500 put volume. Why are traders loading up on March upside? CVOL Update: Energy Volatility roars to the high of the week (63.68) while Treasury Yield Volatility hits multi-month lows.
undefined
Dec 18, 2025 • 9min

The Hot Options Report: 12-18-2025

The Hot Options Report: Tesla Par Calls & Micron's AI Surge Date: December 18, 2025 Host: Mark Longo Can Tesla actually hit $500? In this episode, Mark Longo breaks down a high-volume Thursday where Tesla (TSLA) reclaiming the top spot was just the beginning. We dive into the massive retail and institutional interest in the Tesla 500 par calls and why traders are shelling out big premiums despite the strike being out of the money. We also analyze the tech recovery sparked by Micron (MU) earnings and a cooler-than-expected CPI report. From Palantir's (PLTR) roaring return to life to the funky in-the-money put action in Netflix (NFLX) and Oracle (ORCL), we track the smart money moving through the tape. The Top 10 Most Active Options Today #1 Tesla (TSLA): 2.97M contracts. Breaking down the 179,000 contracts at the 500 strike. #2 Nvidia (NVDA): 2.86M contracts. Tracking the 180 calls as AI sentiment shifts. #3 Netflix (NFLX): 973K contracts. Analyzing the bizarre $114 puts and Jan-26 positioning. #4 Apple (AAPL): 953K contracts. Can the fruit company cross the 275 threshold by tomorrow? #5 Amazon (AMZN): 791K contracts. Bullish sentiment holds at the 230 strike. #6 Micron (MU): 785K contracts. Earnings reaction: 10% pop and 260 strike dominance. #7 Palantir (PLTR): 777K contracts. Drawing a line in the sand at the 190 calls. #8 Broadcom (AVGO): 758K contracts. Funky flow as AVGO goes Ex-Dividend. #9 The Monster (MSTR): 756K contracts. Breaking down the 200 par puts. #10 Oracle (ORCL): 673K contracts. High-parity put action at the 220 strike. Resources & Links Live Data: TheHotOptionsReport.com Join the Pro Community: TheOptionsInsider.com/Pro Follow Mark on X: @OptionsInsider
undefined
Dec 18, 2025 • 60min

The Option Block 1431: Silver Thieves, Options Records and Suspicious DJT Trades

The Option Block: Silver Thieves, Options Records & Suspicious DJT Trades The All-Star Panel convenes for the final Thursday of 2025! Host Mark Longo is joined by Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz (Cboe) and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) to break down a wild year-end session. The Trading Block The 15 Billion Milestone: Henry Schwartz predicts when the 15,000,000,000th options contract of 2025 will trade. Silver's Historic Run: Mike Tosaw discusses the "thief in the night" move in SLV as it hits new highs, and why he's finally fading the metal. Market Rotation: A look at the aggressive move back into tech (XLK, Micron, Palantir) following cooler CPI data. The Odd Block DJT "Skullduggery": We analyze suspicious call buying in DJT (Trump Media) immediately preceding a 40% jump on fusion merger news. Leslie's Inc (LESL): Why is someone grabbing thousands of calls in a stock that has dropped 95% this year? Ticker Autopsy: A look back at the failed $210k bet on IPA (now HYFT).
undefined
Dec 18, 2025 • 38min

The Futures Rundown 59: Partying With Cheese and Lithium... Plus Silver, ETH and Crude Oil

In this episode of The Futures Rundown on The Options Insider Radio Network, host Mark Longo is joined by Jamal Chandler, Head of Options Strategy at Tastytrade. Together, they dissect the final trading weeks of 2025, providing a deep dive into the high-volatility moves across metals, energy, and digital assets. Market Deep Dives: Precious Metals: Why Silver ($SI) has become the inescapable asset of 2025, hitting new highs near the $65 level, and the massive year-to-date runs in Gold ($GC), Platinum, and Palladium. The Energy Complex: Analyzing the "Bruhaha" in Crude Oil ($CL) following Venezuelan embargoes and the steep correction in Natural Gas ($NG). Crypto Trends: Is a "Crypto Winter" coming for Ether ($ETH)? We break down the 15% weekly drawdown and the maturity of the crypto ecosystem. Agricultural Movers: A look at the surprise rallies in Lithium and Cash Settled Cheese, alongside the underperformance of Coffee and Orange Juice. Key Segments: The Trading Pit: A review of the most active contracts, including the Nasdaq-100 Micro and 10-year notes. Year-to-Date Movers: Which assets took the "rocket ship to the moon" and which are ending 2025 as the biggest losers? Prediction Markets: The implications of binaries on everything from sports to the Oscars. Listener Polls: Is it time to buy the dip in Silver or get out before 2026?

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app