The Option Block 1430: Greedy Pigs of VIX Puts & The Sultans of Options Trading

Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management), and Andrew 'The Rock Lobster' Giovinazzi (The Option Pit) break down the final full trading week of 2025. This high-stakes episode covers the shocking conclusion to the '80s Trivia Challenge, explosive VIX and index flow, and a crucial year-end Tax Strategy discussion.

The '80s Trivia Challenge: A Consequential Loss

The dramatic conclusion of the year-long contest: Uncle Mike vs. The Rock Lobster. The hosts sweat it out in a high-pressure round of Sports & Leisure trivia. Find out who claims the point and if the "Chicago Politics" conspiracy theories hold up!

The Trading Block: End-of-Year Market Breakdown

The VIX Cash index is rallying off recent lows. Is this December different from years past? The Rock Lobster confesses his VIX Puts strategy was his "worst product" of the year due to being a "Greedy Pig" and not monetizing the downside swings. The panel also looks at key single-name movers like Apple (AAPL), Broadcom (AVGO), and a roaring Tesla (TSLA).

Hot Options Report: VIX Puts & SPY Zero Day Flow

Detailed analysis of today's hottest option: The dirt-cheap Dec 15th VIX Puts for $0.04. Plus, a look at the massive flow in SPY (SPY) and SPX (SPX) index options, confirming the zero-day trend, alongside surprising upside action in the QQQ (QQQ) Calls.

Strategy Block: Crucial Year-End Tax Planning

Uncle Mike provides essential guidance on year-end tax strategies. He details how to use Tax Loss Harvesting to offset gains and reminds traders about the Wash Sale rules. A must-listen segment covers the Mark-to-Market rule for 1256 Contracts (like SPX options) before the December 31st deadline.

Around the Block: Silver (SLV) Poll & All-Time Highs

The team forecasts whether Silver (SLV) can continue its historic run into 2026. Plus, predictions on if the SPX can hit new All-Time Highs before the new year.