Option Block 87: OX-Schwab Day One

Published: Sept. 2, 2011, 5:51 p.m.

Option Block 87: OX-Schwab Day One

Trading Block: Another yo-yo day on the street. Manufacturing data was stronger than expected, but not enough to keep the market positive. The long weekend should have been priced out already, but it seems that many traders are holding off from hitting the bids ahead of non-farms tomorrow.\xa0 A look of the metals/commodities: gold, silver, and natural gas.

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Odd Block: Unusual activity in: Dunkin\u2019 Brands Group, Inc. (DNKN); American Express Co. (AXP); Lexmark (LXK)

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Xpress Block: Alex Jacobson is back and discusses Legal Day 1 - the first day the Schwab/Option Xpress business combination became legal, and the party that ensued outside his window. The futures are becoming a more mainstream product.

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Strategy Block: Mike Tosaw discusses the world of 1 by 2 ratio spreads. What are the advantages &disadvantages?
Around The Block: Everyone is keeping their powder dry ahead of non-farms payrolls tomorrow. Is this the time to get long premium and perhaps get a free weekend?