Highlights of this week in options: top stories, the most unusual options trades, the best in unusual activity, and more.

May 22, 2017 Options Insider Trader Newsletter

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Upcoming Economic Reports

A preview of what may move the market this week 

TIME (ET) REPORT PERIOD FORECAST PREVIOUS
MONDAY, MAY 22
8:30 AM Chicago national activity index April -- 0.08
TUESDAY,  MAY 23
10:00 AM New home sales April 615,000  621,000
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24
9:45 AM Markit manufacturing PMI (flash) May -- 52.8
9:45 AM Markit services PMI (flash) May -- 53.1
10:00 AM Existing home sales April 5.63mln 5.71 mln
2:00 PM FOMC minutes 3-May    
THURSDAY, MAY 25
8:30 AM Weekly jobless claims 20-May -- 232,000
8:30 AM Advance trade in goods April -$64.3bln -$64.8bln
FRIDAY, MAY 26
8:30 AM Gross domestic product revision Q1 0.90% 0.70%
8:30 AM Durable goods orders April -1.40% 0.90%
8:30 AM Core capital equipment orders April -- 0.50%
10:00 AM Consumer sentiment (final) May 97.7 97.7 (May)

 


 

Options Insider Radio Network 

Episodes you may have missed from Options Insider Radio last week

Options Insider Radio Interviews: Talking Mobile Access, M&A, and More with optionsXpress

Posted May 19th, 2017

In this episode, Mark is live (to tape) at the 2017 Options Industry Conference. He is joined by Jack Boyle, Vice President of Broker-Dealer Services at optionsXpress.

They discuss:

  • What does the vice president of broker-dealer services do?
  • Updates on merging the trading platforms
  • Reviewing commission structures
  • What is behind the changes in the retail space
  • The impact of low volatility
  • The need for options education
  • Expanding outreach
  • Upgrades to the trading platform
  • Mobile access
  • Is there more broker M&A to be had?


Live from OIC 2017: Presentation of the Sullivan Award to Gina McFadden

Posted May 19th, 2017

Gina McFadden was President of The Options Industry Council (OIC) from 2006 to 2013. She was OIC's Executive Director from 1995 to 2006. Concurrent with her OIC position, she was also a member of The Options Clearing Corporation's (OCC) senior management team, serving as Executive Vice President of Industry Services. Prior to that, she was Executive Vice President of OCC's Business Operations Group and Business/Product Development.

Active on various industry committees and organizations including OIC's Roundtable, OCC's Operations Roundtable, SIFMA's Equity Options Roundtable, the STA Options Committee and the Futures Industry Association, she was also an inaugural board member of Women in Listed Derivatives (WILD), a professional development group for women.

Gina completed the Kellogg Management Institute Graduate Program at Northwestern University and SIA's Securities Institute Program at the Wharton School. She has a B.A. from Barat College.

After almost forty years in the options industry, Gina retired in 2013. She lives with her husband Marty in Chicago and Boca Grande, Florida, where she is on the board of the Boca Grande Art Center and active in other community and educational organizations.

The Sullivan Awards named for Joseph W. Sullivan to recognize outstanding contributions in the options industry. Mr. Sullivan provided the vision and leadership to make listed options a reality and played a key role in the development of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, serving as its first president from 1972 until 1979.

The Sullivan Award was established in 2002 by the Options Industry Council and has become a regular feature of the Options Industry Conference program. The award acknowledges an individual's achievement as measured by contributions to education, innovation and product development, and in helping to grow the industry.

Gina McFadden, a long-time leader in the U.S. listed equity options industry, will be the first woman to receive the award. The past Sullivan Award recipients have been Joseph Sullivan himself, Wayne P. Luthringshausen, Paul G. Stevens, Jr., Ivers W. Riley, Thomas Peterffy, Jeffery S. Yass, David Krell, William J. Brodsky, William A. Porter, Lawrence G. McMillan, Edward J. Joyce, Meyer Sandy Frucher, Blair Hull and Robert E. Whaley.

 

Option Block 621: Stumping the Rock Lobster with Vertical Spreads

Posted May 19th, 2017

Trading Block: Still in earnings season. Yesterday: Target, Cisco. Today: Alibaba, Walmart, Gap.

Odd Block: Calls trade in Pandora Media Inc. (P), calls trade in SBA Communications Corp (SBA) and calls trade in Kimberly Clark Corp (KMB)

Strategy Block: Mike discusses his adjustment in his silver collar.

Mail Block/Options question of the week:

There are still a lot of big names reporting in earnings season. Which ones are on your options watchlist this week?

  • Walmart, $WMT
  • Alibaba, $BABA
  • Home Depot, $HD
  • Cisco, $CSCO

Listener questions:

  • Question from Andrew McNichol: Big fan of your Options Bootcamp podcast. I appreciate how you start at square one and then walk listeners through every element of options and options trading. Is there another podcast you recommend that does the same but for stocks? Most of the ones I have found are all about what is hot now, or stock picking tips. Essentially, I am looking for a stock trading 101 podcast. If you do not know of any such podcast, what is the best stock 101 book? Thanks!
  • Question from Ejh4isu: If I buy/sell a vertical on SPX (or any equity stock for that matter) and hold until expiration, and SPX settles between the strikes, what happens? Example: sell 2395/2400 and SPX settles at 2397.

Around the Block/This Week in the Market:

  • May 18: Jobless Claims


Live from OIC 2017: Europe: Like Us but Different

Posted May 19th, 2017

A panel of experts addressed the European hot topics that could impact U.S. options markets. What are the pain points for those seeking to participate in our markets? What are the opportunities? What's going on with the mega exchange mergers? Regulation. Brexit. The structure of the European market. All this and more.

Moderator: Gary Delany, OIC

  • Frank Magnani, Interactive Brokers
  • Georgio Stoev, Saxo Bank

 

Options Insider Radio Interviews: Talking Options for RIAs and Millennials with Aash Vyas

Posted May 18th, 2017

When Mark was at the 2017 Options Industry Conference, he was able to interview several industry leaders. In this episode, he is joined by Aash Vyas, Director of Portfolio Strategy and Overlays, Swan Global Investments.

They discuss:

  • Big picture takeaways from the conference
  • Integrating the needs of financial advisors into the program
  • What are the objections to using options for RIAs?
  • The impact of millennials on the options space
  • The two sides of the political spectrum
  • The concentration of volume in a few names

 

Live from OIC 2017: Options and the Financial Advisor

Posted May 18th, 2017

Experienced Financial Advisors shared how they have integrated options into their practice to differentiate themselves from their competition and grow their client base.

Moderator: Gary Franklin, Raymond James

  • Paul Feinstein, First Republic Investment Management
  • Edward Gesten, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
  • Jack Gunter, Merrill Lynch

 

Live from OIC 2017: Taking Stock

Posted May 18th, 2017

Steve Sears, Senior Editor and columnist with Barron's, conducted a fireside chat with Craig Donohue, Executive Chairman and CEO of OCC, on the evolution of the options industry and OCC?s role as an important market utility and industry advocate.

 

Live from OIC 2017: Exchange Leaders Panel

Posted May 18th, 2017

Moderator: Andy Nybo

  • Ed Boyle, BOX Options Exchange
  • Andy Lowenthal, CBOE
  • Shelly Brown, MIAX
  • Kevin Kennedy, Nasdaq
  • Ivan Brown, NYSE

 

Options Playbook Radio 158: Listener Question Palooza, Part Two

Posted May 18th, 2017

It's all listener questions in this special edition of Options Playbook Radio.

  • Question from JDog - I just got an options pitch that says that options buyer lose money on seven out of every 10 trades. Is that true?
  • Question from Alan Shepard - Why would I ever buy an option when 90% of them expire worthless?
  • Question from Lesnod - How do you get out of the straddles? One side of a straddle is always a loss, correct?
  • Question from Bob - Concerning options: I have been told to take an ATM call and put, add them together and that is the expected move. Is that correct?

If you have questions for Brian, send them to [email protected].

 

Live from OIC 2017: How Financial Advisors Use and Think About Exchange-listed Options

Posted May 18th, 2017

For the first time, the Options Industry Council and Cerulli Associates team up to provide the investing community with a new benchmark study on the current state of how and why financial advisors implement exchange-listed options in client investment portfolios. Cerulli Senior Analyst Emily Sweet presented key findings of the just-released study that examines how top advisors are using options, why others are not, and opportunities for the industry to broaden adoption of their use.

 

Options Insider Radio Interviews: Talking Options Taxation, Regulation and Education with Craig Donohue

Posted May 17th, 2017

Mark recently attended the 2017 Options Industry Conference, where he was joined by Craig Donohue, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Options Clearing Corporation.

They discuss:

  • What brought Craig back to derivatives and The OCC?
  • The evolution of OCC into regulatory and oversight roles
  • Craig's history with leading large transformations within existing companies
  • The possibility of rolling back regulations
  • Migrating other products to central counterparty clearing
  • The difference between regulated and unregulated derivatives
  • The fight to allow listed options in IRAs and other regulatory struggles
  • What are the origin for leaving options off the list?
  • What is on his radar for the future?
  • Potential taxation implications with transaction taxes and more
  • How many exchanges are too many exchanges?
  • The concentration of liquidity in a few names
  • The need for investor education


Live from OIC 2017: State of the Options Industry

Posted May 17th, 2017

Henry Schwartz, President, Trade Alert, LLC, provides a detailed look at recent trends and current hot issues in today's options markets. The discussion focused on how automation, fragmentation, and competition are impacting the diverse mix of participants in today's option market landscape.


Live from OIC 2017: Fireside Chat

Posted May 17th, 2017

Frank Tirado, OIC

  • Amy Lawson, OCC
  • Jim Toes, Security Traders Association
  • Paul Jiganti, SIFMA Options Committee


Live from OIC 2017: Exchange Updates

Posted May 17th, 2017

  • Patty Schuler, BOX Options Exchange
  • William Looney, CBOE
  • Joe Bracco, MIAX Options
  • Tanya Patwa, Nasdaq
  • Mark Krommenhoek, NYSE


Live from OIC 2017: Impact of Millennials on the Options Industry

Posted May 17th, 2017

A recent survey revealed that 62% of Millennials said they have investment accounts but just 9% of Millennials said they consider themselves investors. Industry experts will share their experiences in reaching, educating and working with this critically important demographic.

Moderator: Ian Rosen, StockTwits

  • Tony Zhang, OptionsPlay
  • Kristi Ross, tastytrade
  • Mary Ryan, TD Ameritrade


Live from OIC 2017: Options on ETFs Panel

Posted May 16th, 2017

ETFs represent over $2.65 trillion in AUM. Options on ETFs comprise ~42% of the exchange listed options volume. Seven of the Top 10 listed options symbols are on ETFs. Options experts from three ETF issuers shared their insights on further improving the ETF option industry ecosystem, how they drive investor demand for options on ETFs, and how option market makers have improved their ability to quote options on ETFs by pricing the ETF basket in real time.

Moderator: Douglas Yones, NYSE

  • Parag Shah, BlackRock
  • Dave LaValle, State Street Global Advisors
  • Steven Oh, Van Eck


Live from OIC 2017: Washington Outlook Panel

Posted May 16th, 2017

Exchange and clearinghouse Washington representatives discussed current legislative and regulatory dynamics and proposals impacting the listed options industry.

Moderator: Julie Bauer, OCC

  • Lita Frazier-Brannan, CBOE
  • Hope Jarkowski, ICE
  • Jeff Strunk, Forbes Tate


Live from OIC 2017: Perspectives from Capitol Hill

Posted May 16th, 2017

OCC Executive Chairman and CEO Craig Donohue spoke with Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY 23rd District) about the outlook for Congressional action in 2017 and the most significant items on the Hill's agenda.


Option Block 620: Earnings, Questions, OIC Breakdown and More

Posted May 16th, 2017

Trading Block: A bull rally in the market. A short breakdown of the OIC 2017 Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

Earnings Highlights:

  • Tuesday - Home Depot
  • Wednesday - Target
  • Thursday - Alibaba, Walmart, Gap

Odd Block: Calls trade in Fairmount Santrol Holdings (FMSA), calls trade in Ocwen Financial Corp (OCN) and calls trade in Home Depot Inc. (HD).

Mail Block: Questions, comments, polls and more.

Options Question of the Week: Still a lot of big names reporting in earnings season. Which ones are on your options watchlist this week?

  • Walmart, $WMT
  • Alibaba, $BABA
  • Home Depot, $HD
  • Cisco, $CSCO

Listener question:

  • Question from Abdallah Badwan - Hey I am new to options but I have been studying them for a while and the only thing I don't understand is how do I know what stocks to choose if I want short term gains. In other words, I want to be a short-term investor and I want to know how to narrow down the stocks I want to invest in on a daily basis. How do I make a watchlist of stocks that I can invest in on a daily basis for short-term gains?

Around the Block/ This Week in the Market:

  • May 15: Treasury International, Housing Market Index
  • May 16: Housing Starts, Industrial Production
  • May 18: Jobless Claims


Volatility Views 254: Live from OIC 2017

Posted May 15th, 2017

Mark, Russell and Henry are live (to tape) at the annual Options Industry Conference. They took some time away from the pool to give our listeners the scoop on volatility.

Volatility Review: Henry delivered some of the highlights of the conference. The concentration of volume in a few names, aka the 80-20 rule. The impact of fragmentation on volume. The heavy percentage of complex orders of overall volume. The buzz about a WSJ article on the decline of options volume and the stats that dispel that idea. The opportunities being generated by complex order books. Are we looking at coopertition? VIX below 10: what does it mean? Is there really a new supply of premium sellers? How much pain can they stand, and how will that impact the market?

Russell's Weekly Rundown: What did Russell notice this week?

  • It's the week before standard VIX expiration
  • Crazy spreads
  • Top ten strikes of the week


Best of This Week in Futures Options: How to Trade Commodity Volatility

Posted May 15th, 2017

We're going back into the TWIFO archives to bring you a best of episode. This one was a fan favorite: How to Trade Commodity Volatility

 


Where to Find Options Insider Radio?

Do you know all the ways you can access Options Insider Radio

            



Options Insider Radio Network Live Recordings

Do you want to be a part of the fun?

This is when you can access the LIVE shows this week:

Monday:
Option Block LIVE at 3pm Central

Thursday:
Option Block LIVE at 3pm Central

Friday:
Volatility Views LIVE at 12pm Central
This Week in Futures Options LIVE at 1:30 Central

As always, you can join in the fun at http://mixlr.com/options-insider/

 


Stats of the Week

  • VIX Cash Range: 10.18 - 15.81
  • S&P Cash Range: 2352.72 - 2405.77
  • SPX 30-Day Implied Volatility: 9.12
  • SPX 10-Day Realized Volatility:  10.88
  • SPX 30-Day Realized Volatility:  8.44
  • SPX Risk Premium (30-Day Implied - Realized): -1.76
  • Market Risk Premium (VIX Cash - SPX 30-day Implied Volatility): 1.16
  • S&P Skew Index
    • 05/15/2017  129.44
    • 05/16/2017  131.24
    • 05/17/2017  133.51
    • 05/18/2017  137.01
    • 05/19/2017  131.39


That's So Unusual

The week in unusual activity

PG Puts Roll

Calls and Puts Trade in ADSK

TMUS Jun Call Sellers

EWZ Ratio Call Spreads Trade

Jan Pandora Calls Trade

Near-the-Money KMB Call Buyers

Big DISH Time Spreads Trade

EGO Calls Roll Out

Size Sep SBAC Call Spreads Trade

Jun EXPR Calls Trade

Pandora Jan 2018 Combos Trade

Possible JACK Call Stupids Print

HD Call Diagonals Trade

Long-Term OCN Calls Trade

Calls Trade in FMSA

 


 

Strategy 101: Brought to you by Ally Invest

Options Playbook Radio 135: Thanksgiving Huddle Edition

Posted November 25th, 2016

In this episode, recorded the day before Thanksgiving 2016, Brian is joined by Mark, and they take on listener questions and comments.

This includes:

Options#QuestionOfTheWeek:

Great traders need many weapons in their arsenals. But everyone has a favorite. What is yours?

  • Vertical/Ratio Vertical
  • Iron Condor/Iron Fly
  • Straddle/Strangle
  • Covered Call/Short Put

What is Brian's answer? Long Butterflies!

Listener questions include:

  • When the market is rallying, what's wrong with just buying calls?
  • Has anyone studied the effect of selling weekly options vs monthly options INCLUDING commissions? Seems like that would be a big factor when writing so many contracts.
  • Are skip-strike butterflies the same thing as broken wing butterflies?
  • Why trade volatility versus direction or income?
  • Discuss the delta of VIX

Do you have questions that you would like answered on the show? Send them to Brian at [email protected]


 

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