Russia fallout exposes the soft underbelly of the market.
Listen to Option Block 700: The Soft Underbelly of the Market
Trading Block:
VIX is back in the 20’s. Facebook is taking it on the chin as Russia fallout continues – down 7% and leading other tech stocks into the toilet.
Fed Meeting with New Chairman on Wednesday. Earnings: Oracle – ATM straddle – $2.75, over 100k contracts on the tape.
Odd Block:
Call palooza in Olin Corporation (OLN), put palooza in UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), split ticket puts in Criteo SA (CRTO).
Mail Block:
Vote in our Options Broker Madness competition each day by going to @Options on Twitter.
Results:
- Interactive Brokers vs. Sogo – Interative Brokers
- TDAmeritrade (TOS) v. Choice Trade – TD Ameritrade
- Schwab (OptionsXpress) v. Tastyworks- Tastyworks
- Fidelity v. RobinHood- RobinHood
- Lightspeed v. eOption- Lightspeed
- E-Trade (OptionsHouse) v. TradeHawk- E-Trade
Listener questions and comments:
- Question from Malthe Have Musaeus:If I buy a call option and afterwards sell it for a profit, I’m not the one obligated to sell 100 shares if that option is exercised later right? How do I close my call option position completely and take my profit/loss?
- Question from The Chazz – What do the option block all-stars think the skew will look like in bitcoin options?
- Question from Jack K. -How do people afford to sell puts in TSLA? In order to do any size (like a 10 lot) you have to be able to put up the cash to buy 330k worth of stock. Even a one lot costs 33k. Maybe we need some minis on TSLA?
Around the Block/Economic Reports:
- Mar 21 – Existing Home Sales, FOMC Meeting
- Mar 22 – Jobless Claims
- Mar 23 – Durable Goods, New Home Sales