If ARACHNOPHOBIA doesn’t leave you feeling itchy, nothing much will! Preying on paranoia & psychological terror, this 1990 “thrillomedy” teetered between being a family-friendly horror/comedy or box office poison. Shake out the bedsheets because this episode is billowing over with spiders coming to take over your town! ///***Discussions include***\…

Derek Moore is back to break down Nvidia’s beat, but not beat (whisper number), their growth year over year, their profit margins, and percent they beat on the top and bottom line. Then, looking at the implied volatility and expected move post earnings in Nvidia and how to calculate it. Understanding why sometimes a long straddle option position be…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli once again are here to break down the Jay Powell Jackson Hole statement and the market reaction including latest interest rate projections. Then they comment on the idea proposed by politicians of price caps and whether companies are making record profits based on net profit margins. Later they discussed the huge re…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli are back to discuss the surge and record collapse back below 17.6 in the VIX Index. Plus, Reviewing the difference between the VIX Index (not tradable) and VIX Futures relative spike levels. Then, they go into the latest CPI numbers including CPI Supercore to see what is sticky and what is negative. Finally, they di…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli jumped on a special edition podcast to discuss whether the move in things like the VIX and VIX were warranted given the technical surroundings of the carry trade and where markets went. Looking back at previous VIX spikes and the high yield spread in times of crisis. Plus, discussing how some strategies held up and …

Derek Moore is back to talk through the latest market volatility as the VIX and VVIX both spiked this week. Markets had 2 greater than 2% pullbacks. Reading into the latest unemployment rate data. Plus, unpacking the unwinding of the carry trade involving the Japanese Yen and how this started before the recent market retracement. Finally, examining…

Derek Moore is back to take some listener questions on the political ramifications for the stock market, covered calls, and other general market and option questions. Also, he’ll cover the continued coverage of the market broadening out in its participation especially from small caps and the non-mag-7 companies. What about on the economic front? Al…

Derek Moore looks beyond mega cap tech by examining while this month the S&P 500 Index is relatively flat, equal weight and extended markets catch a bid. Plus, talk of a tight high yield spread but what does that mean? Later, looking at the upcoming earnings including Tesla and Google. Finally, reviewing typical VIX seasonality patterns. Earnings i…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli are back together to discuss what happens after the Fed makes its first rate cut historically in markets. Plus, what if everyone is wrong about rate cuts? Then, they look at the historical spread between inflation and the Fed Funds rate plus how would investors take the other side of rate cuts? Finally, they discuss…

A movie that rallies behind underdogs has timeless appeal. The genuine camaraderie in MAJOR LEAGUE infuses audiences with the baseball spirit like no other sports comedy. Rooting for these Clevelanders is a no-brainer, so join us on this redemption story filled with heartfelt nuances & plenty of laughs. ///***Discussions include***\\\ Writer/Direct…

Derek Moore is back to discuss the recent talk from the “talking heads on TV” that the economy is weakening. What are they looking at and are they right? Then Derek explains using Tesla as an example of implied volatility going higher while a stock runs higher. Reviewing the latest nonfarm payrolls, unemployment rate, and initial jobless claims. Fi…

Derek Moore is back to discuss the WSJ article comparing Nvidia to Cisco and Jim Cramer’s response. Is Nvidia in a bubble? Wall Street Journal Article on Cisco 2000 vs Nvidia 2024 Forward PE multiples then and now Cisco vs Nvidia Data showing bull markets often continue the second half of the year When markets are up 10% first half of the year what…

Derek Moore is back to go over some bullish and bearish economic and market items. Avocado prices are spiking while lumber prices are falling. Divergence between the Trucking Tonnage Index vs the S&P 500 Index. Later we discuss the lack of historical volatility in the market given we haven’t had a greater than 2.05% down day for over 375 days. Then…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial are back with a Fed meeting day edition where they break down the new end of year interest rate dot plots and Jay Powell’s press conference. Plus, they riff on Harry Dent’s latest prediction saying Nvidia is going down 98% and why the doom and gloom crowd are harmful to investors. Later discus…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial look at some what seem like crazy options trades in GameStop. Plus, examining Nvidia passing Apple as the second largest stock in the S&P 500, and can it pass Microsoft for #1? They also talk about whether it’s a problem the top 4 stocks in the S&P 500 make up such a large percentage of the we…

No better way to celebrate our 6th Anniversary than with the 1994 summer blockbuster, SPEED. This rollercoaster ride was never expected to have a massive impact, catapult careers or be anything more than a B-movie. Aging well with its precision & unrelenting tension, SPEED’s realism has kept it in the top tier of solid action films of the last 30 y…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial review some interesting VIX option trades around the election and around inauguration day in 2025 compared to the next few months options action. When young people say home ownership dreams are dead is that true? Surprising numbers to compare inflation adjusted costs. Plus, on Friday the marke…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial talk about Nvidia’s earnings report and how they are catching up to Apple in total market cap. Will they cash Microsoft? Then they note the percentage of companies mentioning AI on earnings calls. What does that mean for CAPEX spending on semiconductor chips? Later they look at how housing pri…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial start by looking at GameStop’s (GME) call option open interest and activity in the days prior to Roaring Kitty tweeting . They notice the increase in options activity ahead of the surge in the stock’s price and volume spike and whether the options market led the stock market on GME. Then they …

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial discuss the idea that the stock market is in a Goldilocks period based on sustained higher margins and earnings growth. Then, they discuss how out of the headlines the Fed has already started easing by reducing their balance sheet runoff each month. Why reducing the Overnight Reverse Repo usag…

Teaming up a sought-after writer & acclaimed director on a film should mean a box office smash. But the extravagant wildcard that is SHOWGIRLS was ridiculed the moment it hit theaters. However, reevaluation of the film’s heightened reality, intensity & stunning production quality have dispelled many early criticisms. Slap on some glitter, paint you…

Derek Moore is back with Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial this week to discuss the Jay Powell Fed decision and the latest in employment and inflation. Then, they do a deep dive into dividend reinvestment. Specifically, analyzing the idea of acquiring more shares and can dividends reduce or eventually pay down your initial cost? They then do …

Derek Moore discusses the declining probabilities for Fed interest rate cuts in 2024. Plus, how PCE Supercore did not make the case for Fed rate cuts. Later, looking at the analyst’s expectations for earnings growth within the S&P 500 Index. Finally, comments on a paper showing how using the pre-1983 methods to compute CPI Consumer Price Index show…

Derek Moore and Mike Puck from ZEGA Financial discuss Friday’s selloff. It’s official, we are in a 5% market correction. Looking back at other corrections greater than 5% from the highs. Mortgage rates move back up while 10-year treasury yields surge. Commodities are higher on the year but still down from all-time highs. Gold makes another all time…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, discuss Friday’s selloff. So, was it all the readjustment of Fed rate cut expectations? Is CPI Inflation putting the Fed in a box? Michael Saylor says Bitcoin is better than Gold. The rally in Gold that everyone is sleeping on. CPI Supercore trending higher showing services not goods are the …

Selling an atmospheric, science-fiction film about an extraordinary teenager discovering time travel & saving the world was a lofty pitch for a feature film debut. But writer/director Richard Kelly crafted a mind-bending, unconventional story, packed with powerful visuals & rich subtext, which has now turned it into a modern cult classic. It’s time…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, are back to explore surprising data about buying the market at all-time highs vs any other day. Plus, how do markets and bonds perform post the last fed hike? Later, while you were sleeping developed international markets outperform U.S. markets. And listener question “who do I know what a go…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, discuss Fed governor Waller (not Christopher Walkin) hinting the Fed should be in no rush to cut interest rates. Plus, we haven’t seen this many record stock market highs since Q1 of 2013. So, what does that mean if anything? Examining VVIX and VIX which both are really quiet and low right no…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, discuss the Fed getting bullish by reducing unemployment estimates, raising GDP growth estimates, and doing nothing else but the market liked it. All while the yield curve inversion sets a record for longest in history. What is Bitcoin halving and what does it do for supply and demand? Lookin…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, talk through some examples of options trading in 0 DTE options on the SPX and Nvidia. Plus, a hedge fund manager says the worst crash since 1929 is coming. Looking at huge inflows into the semiconductor ETFs. Derek actually agrees with Michael Saylor’s points on Bitcoin including whether it’s…

Independent cinema & Parker Posey were once synonymous together. PARTY GIRL provides a nuanced & legitimate snapshot of mid-‘90s New York, complete with updated screwball comedy vibes, an inspiring dose of youth-to-adulthood transition & charm from beginning to end. Strap in for this love letter to indie film! ///***Discussions include***\\\ Story …

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, discuss how the magnificent 7 stocks aren’t all going up this year. Plus, reviewing what the worst time to buy stocks was and how investors would have done even if they had. Later, they explain why the last 10-15 years before retirement need growth but hedging. How Japan’s central bank might …

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, explain why it’s so hard to trade the VIX via options or VIX futures given the nature of the products and how VIX works. Supercore PCE, yeah that’s a thing now, came in hot so what does that mean for the Fed and rates? Speaking of the Fed cutting rates, what if they don’t cut this year? Later…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, discuss Nvidia’s beat on earnings, their march towards $2trillion market cap, and how as earnings forecasts rise, even though the stock has made new highs, forward PE ratios go lower. Then, they explore what the options market via implied volatility was forecasting for an Nvidia move post ear…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, follow up on last week’s PE ration (useless?) discussion explaining how stocks go up or down based on earnings, multiples, and other factors. Then they delve into correlations between the US Dollar Index and the S&P 500 Index. Later, the surprising fact that as Japan’s Nikkei Index makes 35-y…

Richard Linklater’s BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET & BEFORE MIDNIGHT beautifully articulate how finding a rare connection with another person can affect one’s path in life. Without leaning on nostalgia or typical romantic tropes, THE BEFORE TRILOGY became an unintentional series, and spoke volumes about being in the present moment, being affected by…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, ask whether forward PE ratios are predictive of future market direction? Then they review how the S&P 500 Index has performed during each presidential election going back to 1996. Does it matter which party (Republicans or Democrats) are in office for markets? Is Tesla going to get kicked out…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, discuss the Fed and Powell press conference market reaction. Plus, they look at META and Apple option’s implied volatilities did or didn’t predict the post earnings moves. 1994-95 experience in Fed rates and bond yields compared to today. Later, they set the record straight on what NAV erosio…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, are it at once again where they analyze Tesla’s implied volatility right before earnings vs what happened. Did the option’s market misprice premiums? Also, in the episode they talk about Bitcoin’s drop as a sell the news buy the rumor example while Derek argues that Bitcoin’s volatility make …

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, are back to discuss whether the Fed grasps how prices historically always rise. That prices never drop and inflation dropping doesn’t mean prices go down. Then they discuss the forward earnings estimates showing growth for the S&P 500 Index while comparing price to sales compared to January o…

Derek Moore and Mike Puck of ZEGA Financial join up to discuss the run up and selloff in bitcoin around the bitcoin spot etf launches. Is it the obvious buy the rumor sell the news situation? How CPI components like lodging away from home and travel pricing are starting to cool. Later, examining the value vs growth debate and whether this is the ye…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, are back this week to discuss some hedging examples and how hedging is cheap right now. They even go through a few examples. Then they get into the sharp rise in container shipping costs before discussing the weaker PMI Services data. Later they note Bloomberg’s data showing articles mentioni…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, go through their 2024 predictions and review how right or wrong they were in 2023. Why predictions are so hard to make and why they are overrated. When markets go up over 10% in the final 2 months of the year historically what does that mean for returns the following year? How earnings growth…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, discuss how people are blaming the Wed 1.5% selloff on 0 DTE options while the CBOE says not so fast as dealers may have been buying stocks during the drawdown thus stabilizing markets. Later they talk shipping container rates spiking higher due to issues in the Suez Canal and Red Sea. Is thi…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, discuss the new consensus of the Fed doing multiple rate cuts so what could go wrong? Record call option volume while the VVIX makes a move higher while the VIX continues lower. Viral article said 44% of home sales were to big institutions like Blackrock and Innovation homes but it was less t…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, join up once again to discuss the drop in the VIX Index off the highs. How S&P 500 2024 targets are showing up and why investors may not care. Labor force participation turned down so what does that mean if anything? Finally, Simplifying what synthetic long stock strategies are and synthetic …

On its 50th Anniversary, THE EXORCIST can still boast being as effective today as it was on its release date. With an intense production & determined minds, mix in some truth & multiple controversies, this film cemented a permanent place in pop culture history. Take a trip back to uncover the story behind the film which caused people to question th…

Derek Moore and Jay Pestrichelli join up to discuss an unchanged VIX and VVIX index. Was our trading platform screen broken? Whether the VIX and VVIX Index is a coiled spring as they are both in compression mode of late. Then, they explore new data that shows the cost to buy a home vs rent is really high meaning its very costly to buy vs rent right…

Derek Moore is back with Jay Pestrichelli this week where they analyze the recent viral video where Dave Ramsey suggests people can safely withdraw 8% forever in retirement. What doesn’t make sense, what is left out, and why the assumptions may be faulty. Then, they discuss the market seasonality and whether this November pop higher already deliver…

Derek Moore is back with Jay Pestrichelli, CEO of ZEGA Financial, to review the Goldman Sachs probability of recession and Fed rate forecast for 2024. Then they do a deeper dive on key aspects of US Treasury Bond auctions. Hint, it’s a Dutch auction and how to read the results of treasury auctions including the bid to cover ratio. Later they talk t…