Option Block 513: Why, Why, Why

Trading Block: Today we are joined by Nick Howard, Founder & CEO of Bantix Technologies, LLC, and creator of QuikStrike. Stocks tumble amid choppy start to April; Dow drops more than 150. OCC gratified by changes to DOL fiduciary rule that benefit users of listed options. Ally Financial jumps into brokerage business. Earnings: Thursday - Rite Aid, CarMax, ConAgra Foods (all before bell). Odd Block: Calls trade in Crown Castle Inter. (CCI), calls and puts trade in iPath S&P 500 VIX mid term futures (VXZ), and calls trade in PowerShares DB US Dollar index ETF (UUP). Mail Block: Listener questions and comments. March Madness Poll: TradeKing was the final winner. Also, big congratulation to all our contest winners. Question from MJHill - Earnings season is approaching. What are your views on using an ATM long straddle as an earnings play? I plan on buying the ATM straddle about a week before earnings and closing the position the day before earnings are released. I am hoping to make some money on the increased volatility that comes immediately before earnings, but would like to hear your opinions. Around the Block: This Week in the Market: The first full week of April and of the new quarter gets under way as the Federal Reserve releases the minutes from its last session. A new round of quarterly earnings is not far off.