This Week In Futures Options

Is it time to give the markets the "Big Adios"? Host Mark Longo and guest Dan Gramza of Gramza Capital Management break down an explosive week in the futures options markets. From relief rallies in equities to the curious behavior of the "safe haven" play in gold, we're dissecting the top movers and the most aggressive options paper hitting the tape. In This Episode: Movers & Shakers: A heavy bias toward the light side this week. We analyze the 8% surge in Hard Red Wheat and the massive 4.7% climb in the NASDAQ 100. Equities Spotlight: S&P 500 (ES) is hitting new all-time highs. Is this the "mother of all relief rallies," or are new sellers preparing a trend change? Plus, a look at the heavy 0DTE action around the 7100 level. Metals (Copper & Gold): Dan explains why he's skeptical of the copper rally and shares a "Big Adios" level for the red metal. We also explore the broken traditional playbook for gold during Middle East conflicts and its relationship with the 10-year yield. Energy (WTI

Here are two SEO-optimized show descriptions for TWIFO 492: Crude Slides and Stocks Soar on Iran Deal, tailored for Libsyn and YouTube. Is the energy rally finally running out of steam? In this high-octane episode of This Week in Futures Options, host Mark Longo is joined by Mike Tosaw of St. Charles Wealth Management. Together, they dissect a massive reversal in the markets as crude oil takes a double-digit tumble while equities stage an aggressive relief rally following headlines of a potential U.S.-Iran ceasefire. From the shifting volatility in WTI to the surprising resilience of small caps, we break down the institutional flow and retail sentiment across the CME Group complex. In this episode, we cover: The Movers & Shakers: A look at the "dark side" dominated by Energy (WTI, Brent, and Heating Oil) versus the "light side" led by Bitcoin and the Russell 2000. Equities (S&P 500 & Russell 2000): Analyzing the 24-hour market's reaction to geopolitical news and the aggressive rotation back in

In this episode of This Week in Futures Options, Mark Longo dives into a wild week of trading dominated by headlines surrounding the Iran conflict. From massive moves in WTI Crude to a fascinating rotation in the Russell 2000, we break down the movers and shakers lighting up the tape at CME Group. In this episode, we cover: The Movers & Shakers: Why WTI Crude Oil topped the list with an 18% move while Natural Gas continued its slide to the "dark side." Safe Havens vs. Risk Assets: A look at Gold, Silver, and Platinum's performance during geopolitical uncertainty. Equities & Small Caps: A deep dive into the Russell 2000 (RTY), exploring the 2300 put spreads and why puts dominated the tape despite a late-week rally. Volatility & Skew: Analyzing the 7-point drop in small-cap volatility and how skew is shifting in the April contracts. Whether you're a veteran trader or a newcomer, tune in for the data-driven insights you need to navigate today's volatile futures options marketplace. This epi

Volatility is back with a vengeance! In this episode of This Week in Futures Options, host Mark Longo and Carley Garner (DeCarley Trading) break down a "blood red" Thursday as equity indices struggle to hold their gains and the energy complex reaches a boiling point. From the "Queen of Crude" to the "Widow Maker," we dive deep into the massive volatility shifts hitting the CME Group markets. Is the stock market repeating last year's April pattern? Why is gold behaving like a risk asset instead of a safe haven? And what on earth is the "Oats Knows" indicator telling us about the grains? On the Dossier: Movers & Shakers: A 60/40 bias toward the dark side, led by a massive drop in Oats and Silver. Equities: Analyzing the "orderly" sell-off in the S&P and Nasdaq—and why the elevated VIX has us nervous about hidden leverage. Energy: WTI crude enters triple-digit volatility. Carley explains why "it all ends in tears" and offers a clever way to play the energy trade through the Japanese Yen. Metals:

In this episode, Mark Longo and Dan Gramza dive deep into the massive dislocations hitting the futures and options markets as Middle East tensions escalate. While WTI remains surprisingly range-bound, the Brent spread has widened to levels not seen in over a decade. Why isn't gold acting as a safe haven, and what is the "put bomb" currently dropping in the S&P 500? In this episode, we cover: Movers & Shakers: Heating Oil and Lumber lead the bulls, while Silver and Platinum take a massive hit. Energy: The 11-year high in the Brent/WTI spread, the impact of the Strait of Hormuz, and a look at the massive 1x3 vertical calls in Brent. Equities: Why the S&P 500 remains "orderly" despite the volatility, and a look at the heavy 6500 put activity. Metals: The missing "flight to quality"—why Gold is selling off during a geopolitical crisis and what the 35+ vol means for traders. Nat Gas: Assessing the damage to global LNG facilities and the neutral zone between $2.90 and $3.30.

This week, we aren't just talking about movers—we're witnessing a historic disruption in the energy markets. We dive deep into the explosive price action and triple-digit volatility in WTI Crude Oil, where mining in the Straits of Hormuz and tanker attacks have sent WTI and Brent soaring. Is the "par" level the new floor? We break down the massive volume in May 95 calls and the 120-strike volatility crush. In this episode, we cover: Movers & Shakers: Why the light side is dominating with double-digit gains in Energy and Platinum, while Financials lead the slide to the dark side. Equities: A "banger week" for the E-mini S&P 500. We analyze the massive 23% bid in put skew and the 6500/6400/6300 put fly lighting up the tape. Small Caps: Is the rotation dead? We look at the spike in Russell 2000 volume as it flirts with negative territory for the year. Energy Deep Dive: A "ridiculous" amount of volume in Crude. We look at the 95/Par vertical and what December 120 calls tell us about the geopolitic

The markets are anything but calm this week. Join host Mark Longo and special guest Erik Norland, Chief Economist at CME Group, as they break down a historic surge in volatility across every major asset class. From geopolitical tensions driving double-digit moves in crude oil to the "incoherent" signals between gold and treasury yields, we dive deep into the data you need to navigate this changing landscape. On this episode, we discuss: Energy: WTI Crude's 21%+ surge—is the market pricing in a long-term Middle East disruption, or is the move surprisingly muted? Metals: Why Gold and Silver are decoupling from the "flight to quality" narrative and what the 6,000 strike in Gold tells us about long-term sentiment. Crypto: The "Digital Gold" debate—Erik explains why the correlation between Bitcoin and Gold remains near zero despite the recent volatility. Rates & Credit Spreads: A look at the massive volume in 10-year notes and why narrowing credit spreads might be ignoring brewing risks in private cred

On this episode of This Week in Futures Options, Mark Longo and Carley Garner of DeCarley Trading dive into a turbulent week across the CME Group complex. From the post-Nvidia "bloodletting" in the equities to the persistent volatility in the energy pits, they break down the moves that matter. In This Episode: The Movers & Shakers: A heavy tilt toward the "light side" with metals dominating the leaderboard. Why silver and platinum are lighting up the tape while the "Widowmaker" Nat Gas slides. Equities: Analyzing the post-earnings Nvidia hangover. Is the market rotation finally here, and what's behind the massive hunt for yield in the Nasdaq? Energy: Getting "Crude" with WTI. Carley explains why the Middle East tension is priced in, but the real story might be coming from Venezuela. Plus, a look at those tempting (and cheap) downside puts. Metals: Why speculators are suddenly "getting base" with Copper. Is Copper the next big meme trade, or is it just a classic boom-and-bust cycle?

In this action-packed episode, Mark Longo and Scott Bauer of Prosper Trading Academy dissect a market where standard playbooks are being thrown out the window. From "meme-style" moves in Silver to heavy hedging in the S&P 500, we break down the institutional flow and retail frenzy. The Equity Craze: Why everyone has put spreads on the brain. We analyze the heavy volume in the E-mini S&P 500 March 6600/6500 vertical and the "frothy" volatility return to the Russell 2000. Energy Inflection: WTI Crude is at a crossroads. We discuss the $5-$10 move potential based on geopolitical headlines and the "Grand Slam" reversal in Natural Gas. Meme Stock Metals: Triple-digit volatility in Silver has transformed it into a meme-trader's paradise. Are the April 125 calls a total YOLO, or is there method to the madness?

Is the early 2024 equity rally finally facing a reality check? Join Mark Longo and Kevin Green, Senior Markets Correspondent at Schwab Network, as they break down a wild week in the futures options markets. From "rotation trades" in the indices to the aftermath of a "Black Friday" in silver, we cover the moves that matter. In this episode, we dive into: Equities: Is the recent pullback a healthy correction or the start of something deeper? We analyze the massive 0DTE flow in the E-mini S&P 500 and a curious 22-day downside hedge in the 6,500 puts. Plus, a look at the carnage in small caps and concerning trends in commercial real estate. Metals: We recap the "blow-off top" in Silver. With implied volatility hitting near triple digits, is the stampede over, or are traders just reloading for the next run? Kevin shares his boots-on-the-ground experience from the physical silver market. Agriculture: Soybeans are back on the menu! We explore the spike in July soybean calls and how South American productio

This episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO) captures a high-stakes, "all-red" day across the global markets. Host Mark Longo and veteran analyst Dan Gramza break down a massive sell-off hitting everything from equities and crypto to metals, providing actionable insights into whether this is a "big adios" or a buying opportunity. Episode Overview: The "Big Adios" Sell-Off The markets are seeing a sea of red as equities, metals, and crypto face intense selling pressure. Mark and Dan navigate the wreckage to find where the volatility is exploding and where the smart money is positioning itself amidst the carnage. Key Highlights from the Show: Metals Meltdown: A deep dive into the "Silver Madness." With Silver down over 34% this week, the team discusses triple-digit volatility levels and whether the market has finally reached a "double bottom" or if there's more pain to come. Equities Rotation: Is the AI trade finally over? Analysis of the aggressive unwind in the S&P 500 and the rotation into s

This episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO) captures a market in transition. As we move through January 2026, the "All-In" equity trade is facing a rotation, silver is behaving like a high-octane meme stock, and even the most obscure products like Rough Rice are seeing double-digit vol spikes. Whether you are hedging a portfolio against an earnings-season sell-off or looking to harvest high premiums in the metals, this episode provides the professional analysis you need to separate the wheat from the Lean Hogs. Episode Highlights The Movers & Shakers: A Tale of Two Tapes The Jedi (Light Side) are winning this week, but the Sith (Dark Side) struck the hardest blows in percentage terms. The Dark Side: Natural Gas plummeted 23.9%, Bitcoin dropped 6.3%, and the Russell 2000 took a breather after a massive YTD run. The Light Side: Silver stole the show, rallying over 20% on the week. WTI Crude and Brent both surged ~10%, while Palladium saw a double-digit rebound. Equities: The Great Rotation o

Geopolitical drama is back on the menu, and the futures options markets are feeling the heat. In this episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO), Mark Longo breaks down a wild week where nearly every complex saw a volatility explosion. From potential trade wars to "Greenland drama," we explore how the tape is reacting at CME Group. On today's episode, we dive into: The Movers & Shakers Report The Volatility Spike: A look at the CVOL (CME Volatility Index) across the board. Why Treasury vol is roaring back to life (up 10 points) and Energy is pining the needle at 69.35. Natural Gas Mania: Nat Gas jumps a staggering 57% as the polar vortex hits. Metals & FX: Precious metals explode in both price and vol, while FX vol gains a full point on trade war chatter. The Dark Side: Bitcoin slides over 8%, leading the losers alongside Palladium and Copper. Equities: The Big Tech Rotation Nasdaq vs. Small Caps: We analyze the pronounced rotation out of large-cap tech and into small caps. Zero-DTE

Is Silver the new meme stock? Are Small Caps finally ready to lead the pack? Join Mark Longo of The Options Insider and special guest Rich Excell from the University of Illinois (and the Stay Vigilant Substack) as they break down a historic week in the futures options markets. From parabolic moves in metals to a massive rotation within the equity space, the guys analyze the data you can't find anywhere else. Inside This Episode: The Great Equity Rotation: Why tech is taking a backseat as the Russell 2000 (RUT) explodes. Is this the "mean reversion" trade of the decade? Silver's Parabolic Run: Silver is up over 20% in a week. We look at the "price insensitive" buying and the wild 120/125 call spreads hitting the tape. Treasury Volatility Collapse: With Treasury price vol hitting anemic lows, Rich explains why he's looking at asymmetric put butterflies to hedge against a yield backup. Movers & Shakers: A 70/30 split to the green side at CME Group this week. We analyze the carnage in Nat Gas versus t

The first "January Lion" of 2026 has arrived. Join Mark Longo and Carley Garner of DeCarley Trading as they kick off the new year with a high-octane look at the futures options landscape. From the aftermath of a historic 2025 to the geopolitical shocks of the first week of January, this episode breaks down why the "old rules" of the commodity markets are being rewritten. In This Episode: The 2025 Retrospective: A look back at a "once-in-50-year" event in the metals complex. Carley provides a candid "humbling" on the massive surge in gold and silver, and why 2025 was the year of the devoted trend follower. The Silver Beast: Silver dominated last year with a 140%+ gain. Carley and Mark discuss the "Reverse 2020" effect, the impact of triple-leveraged ETFs, and why trading Silver options right now requires nerves of steel and a massive margin account. Movers & Shakers: * The Light Side: A continuation of the metals rally (Silver, Platinum, Palladium) and a surprising 5% YTD surge in the Russell 2000

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

This episode of 'This Week in Futures Options' delivers a detailed analysis of the futures options market, focusing on the latest trends and significant movements in silver futures options and natural gas futures options trading activity. Hosted by Mark Longo, the program provides essential insights into the top futures trades, volatility shifts, and hot products for the week. The show includes statistics on both the light and dark sides of the market, highlighting noteworthy trades like a February 80-85 call spread in silver and active movements in January natural gas options.

In this action-packed episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO), host Mark Longo and special guest Dan Gramza (Gramza Capital Management) break down the massive volatility and unexpected price movements across commodity and futures options markets. We conduct a detailed futures options analysis on the shocking, explosive rip in Silver, which is now the best-performing asset tracked by the show this year. We also dive into the highly active Natural Gas (NG) market, discussing key support levels and the shifting landscape of global LNG demand. Plus, we address the viral audience theory: Is Taylor Swift cornering the silver market?

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CME HOT SEAT: Mike Tosaw, St. Charles Wealth Management In this episode, Mark and Mike discuss the significant trading volume and price swings in the S&P 500, spurred by Nvidia earnings and broader market dynamics. The show delves into specific trades and strikes lighting up the tape, highlighting unusual activity in short-term options. Uncle Mike shares insights into the bond market, focusing on the 10-year note and the implications of upcoming Fed decisions. Additionally, the episode examines heightened activity in the gold market, providing an in-depth look at trading strategies and market sentiment.  

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CME HOT SEAT: Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business In this episode of This Week in Futures Options, the hosts explore significant movements and trades across various markets. They focus on the explosive action in gold and silver, with deep in-the-money gold calls and far out-of-the-money silver calls taking center stage. They also delve into the dynamics of the energy sector, examining the contrasting fortunes of crude oil and natural gas. Additionally, the episode discusses the interesting divergences in equity volatilities, particularly in the Russell 2000 amidst potential Santa Claus rally trends. The hosts round off with insights from the latest movers and shakers, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the futures options landscape.