The OPEX Effect
The OPEX Effect is a joint podcast from Excess Returns and SpotGamma that explores the world of options and the flows they generate in markets. Hosts Brent Kochuba and Jack Forehand discuss major developments in the options world and how they impact portfolios. The podcast is released monthly on Options Expiration week.
Episodes
SpaceX, OPEX, and the Flows Behind the Biggest IPO in History
In this episode of The OPEX Effect, Brent Kochuba and Jack Forehand break down the market structure impact of the SpaceX IPO, options expiration, dealer gamma, volatility, and the next major setup for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. They discuss why SpaceX may trade more on flows than fundamentals, how call buying could create a gamma squeeze, and why June OPEX, VIX expiration, FOMC, oil, Iran headlin
The Melt Up That No One Expected | What the Options Market Says About What Comes Next
Brent Kochuba of SpotGamma joins Jack Forehand for the May 2026 OPEX Effect to break down what options positioning is saying after a massive AI and semiconductor-led market rally. They discuss SPX call volume, zero DTE options, dealer gamma, VIX expiration, NVIDIA earnings, oil risk, AI CapEx, and why options flows may help explain both the market’s recent melt-up and the potential for a volatilit
The Market the Tweets Can’t Break | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
This episode of The Opex Effect breaks down why markets have remained surprisingly resilient despite geopolitical chaos, an oil shock, and extreme headline risk. Brent Kochuba joins Jack Forehand to analyze what’s really driving the market beneath the surface—from options flows and gamma positioning to the collapse in volatility and what it signals for the next move.They explore how the options ma
A 3% Drop from VIX 40 | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
This episode breaks down the growing tension beneath the surface of today’s markets, where volatility signals, options positioning, and macro risks like war and inflation are increasingly misaligned. Brent Kochuba and Jack Forehand explain why markets appear calm despite heavy hedging, and what that disconnect could mean for a potential volatility spike and downside move ahead.Brent Kochuba on Twi
Violently Going Nowhere | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
In this episode of The Opex Effect, Jack and Brent break down the growing impact of options markets on stocks, volatility, and sector rotation. While the major indexes appear calm, massive moves beneath the surface tell a very different story. From software stocks and AI disruption to gold, silver, bonds, and the Nasdaq, they analyze how dealer hedging flows, gamma positioning, implied volatility,
The Volatility Shift No One Sees | What the Options Market Says About What Comes Next
In this episode, Jack Forehand is joined by Brent Kochuba from SpotGamma to break down how options market flows are increasingly shaping equity market behavior. The conversation focuses on January options expiration, the explosive growth of zero DTE options, and why short term volatility dynamics matter even for long term investors. Using recent market examples, the episode explains how dealer hed
7000 Magnet. 6800 Trap Door | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
In this episode of The Opex Effect, Jack Forehand and Brent Kochuba break down what could be the largest options expiration ever and explain why December options flows, seasonality, and volatility dynamics matter so much for markets right now. The conversation explores how AI enthusiasm, equity rotation, and record options volume are colliding into year end, and what the options market is signalin
The Two-Tailed Risk Trap | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
In this month’s OPEX Effect, Brent Kochuba and Jack Forehand break down the forces driving markets into November expiration. They cover the surge in volatility, Nvidia’s critical earnings event, the clustering of major catalysts, the behind-the-scenes hedging flows that shape price action, and why this expiration looks fundamentally different from the recent call-heavy cycles. The conversation ble
Fragile Rally. Big Vol Spike. Credit Risks Rising | What the Options Market Says About What's Next
In this episode, Brent Kochuba of SpotGamma joins Jack Forehand to break down the October options expiration and the surge in volatility that hit markets. They discuss record-breaking options volumes, the impact of zero-DTE trading, Trump’s market-moving tweet, and why the options market is increasingly driving short-term price action. Brent explains how positioning, gamma dynamics, and liquidity
Vol Is Crushed. Risk Isn’t | What the Largest OPEX In History Tells Us About What Comes Next
In this month’s OPEX Effect, Brent and Jack break down the September OPEX, which may be the largest ever. With volatility deeply suppressed, a record call skew, and the Fed meeting coinciding with VIX expiration, markets are set up for potential fireworks. The conversation explores how derivatives flows shape equities, why this expiration could be a turning point, and what investors should watch a
Low Volatility Is Lying to You | What the Options Market Says About What Comes Next
In this episode of The OPEX Effect, Jack and Brent dive deep into the current market dynamics, exploring what they call the "Honey Badger" and "Zombie" market phenomena. With options volumes hitting record highs and realized volatility at basement levels, they analyze whether we're heading into a 2017-style low-volatility grind or if a volatility spike is imminent. The discussion covers everything
All-Time Highs. Record Complacency | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
Markets are sitting at all-time highs, but under the surface, the options market is flashing signs of extreme positioning. In this episode, Brent Kochuba of SpotGamma returns to break down the latest options expiration cycle and what it could mean for stocks going forward.We discuss why record call buying, minimal hedging, and low implied volatility are creating a potentially fragile setup — and w
A Rally Built on Fragile Ground | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
In the latest episode of the OPEX Effect, Jack Forehand and Brent Kochuba dive deep into the dynamics shaping the current market regime, with a particular focus on the upcoming June OPEX, dealer positioning, volatility trends, and the surprising resilience of the S&P 500 amid geopolitical stress. They break down how options flows continue to dominate equity price action, why the market remains
The Rally No One Trusts | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
In this episode of Excess Returns, Jack Forehand and Brent Kochuba from SpotGamma break down the forces at play beneath the surface of the market as we head into the May 2025 options expiration (OPEX). While the S&P 500 has rallied hard, a deeper look at positioning, liquidity, volatility, and sentiment reveals a market on a potentially fragile footing. From the continued explosion of zero DTE
An Unprecedented Lack of Liquidity: What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
In this episode of The OPEX Effect, Jack and Brent dive deep into the market turmoil following "Liberation Day" and the implementation of new tariffs. With volatility spiking to levels not seen since the 2020 COVID crash, the hosts analyze how options markets are reacting, why liquidity has evaporated, and what investors should expect in this new higher-volatility regime. The conversation covers e
One of the Fastest Corrections in History: What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
In the latest episode of the OPEX Effect, Jack Forehand and Brent Kochuba take a look behind the scenes of the big market selloff and the options flows driving it. They break down the massive options expiration coming up (the second-largest ever) and its potential impact on market movements.Key topics covered:Understanding the current high-volatility environment and why options volumes are driving
Danger in Market Calm? What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
In this episode, Jack Forehand and Brent Kochuba analyze the current state of the options market heading into the February 2024 options expiration. They explore several critical themes, including:Why volatility remains surprisingly low despite significant market-moving eventsThe unusual dynamic where large single-stock moves (like NVIDIA's historic drop) aren't translating into broader market vola
The Two Sides of Volatility | Inside the January Options Expiration
Join Brent Kochuba and Jack Forehand as they analyze the current market landscape and what options flows tell us about potential volatility ahead. The duo dives deep into why the market may be underpricing volatility risk despite a recent 5% drawdown, significant upcoming events, and shifting rate dynamics.Key topics covered:Why the current options market positioning suggests heightened volatility
Tesla, MicroStrategy and An Inside Look at the Biggest Options Expiration in Market History
Join Brent Kochuba and Jack Forehand as they break down December's historic options expiration - the largest OpEx on record. In this deep-dive episode, they explore:Why this December OpEx is uniquely significant with over $1.9 trillion in options value expiringTesla's remarkable 75% surge since November and what the options market signals about its sustainabilityThe fascinating case of MicroStrate
Tesla, Trump and the Return of Meme Mania | Inside the Flows Driving the Post Election Rally
In this episode of The OpEx Effect, we dive deep into the fascinating market dynamics following the recent election and explore the remarkable surge in options trading volume. We break down how Tesla's impressive rally is being driven by options flows and explain the mechanics behind gamma squeezes.We explore several key themes, including:How the post-election volatility crush led to a significant
Calm Before the Storm or Fuel for a Rally? | Inside Options Flows Heading into the Election
In this episode of the OPEX Effect, we take a look behind the scenes at options flows at what is going on in the options market as we head into the election. We cover:- The current options landscape leading into October expiration- How NVIDIA's performance continues to drive broader market trends- Analysis of volatility patterns and their implications for market movement- Detailed exploration of p
What Regular Investors Need to Know About Options Flows | Brent Kochuba
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of options and their impact on market dynamics. We start with an "Options Dealer Flows 101" primer, explaining key concepts like delta hedging, gamma, charm, and vanna to help viewers understand how options flows can drive stock prices.
We then analyze the current market situation heading into the September 2024 options expiration, one of th
Behind the Scenes of the Recent Market Volatility | The OPEX Effect Ep. 11
In this episode of OPEX Effect, we dive into the recent market volatility and its connection to options flows. We discuss the sudden VIX spike to 65, examining the factors that led to this extreme event, including low liquidity, the unwinding of correlation trades, and the impact of zero-day options. We explore how the market landscape has shifted, with a focus on the transition from inter-equity
The OPEX Effect: July 2024 | Inside What is Driving This Weird Market
In this episode of the OPEX Effect, we explore the current market rally and discuss the concept of "correlation spasms" - unusual movements and relationships between market components. We examine record low volatility, the outsize impact of mega-cap tech stocks, and the recent surge in small-caps. We analyze the prevalence of zero days-to-expiry options trading and its effects on intrada
The OPEX Effect: June 2024 | GameStop Retrospective, Call Imbalance and Massive NVDA Interest
In this month's episode of the OPEX Effect, we take a deep dive into the world of options flows and their impact on the markets. We discuss the recent GameStop saga and the role options played in the stock's wild ride. We also explore the concept of volatility suppression, the dispersion between mega-cap tech stocks like NVIDIA and the rest of the market, and the record-breaking streak of
The Kitty is Roaring Again - Volatility Is Not | The OPEX Effect: May 2024
In this episode of the OpEx Effect, we discuss the current state of the market as we approach the May options expiration. We analyze the low levels of volatility and put demand, suggesting market participants are not too concerned about potential downside risks. We also examine the impact of key upcoming events, particularly the CPI report and NVIDIA earnings, and how they could influence market d
The Return of Volatility
In this episode of the OPEX Effect podcast, Brent Kochuba and Jack Forehand discuss the current market turmoil and its potential impact on options flows. They analyze how the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, coupled with rate volatility and the upcoming U.S. elections, is causing a shift in the market environment from a period of volatility suppression to one of increased volatility. The
The Nvidia Conundrum | The OPEX Effect | March 2024
The OPEX Effect looks at the impact of options flows on the market from the perspective of longer-term investors. In each episode, we break down what is going on behind the scenes in the options market and how the resulting flows are moving markets.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the March 2024 options expiration and its potential implications for the market. We discuss dealer position
The OPEX Effect | February 2024 | Helping Long-Term Investors Understand Options Flows
The OPEX Effect looks at the impact of options flows on the market from the perspective of longer-term investors. In each episode, we break down what is going on behind the scenes in the options market and how the resulting flows are moving markets.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the February 2024 options expiration and its potential implications for the market. We discuss the extreme
Inside the January Options Expiration
The OPEX Effect looks at the impact of options flows on the market from the perspective of longer-term investors. In each episode, we break down what is going on behind the scenes in the options market and how the resulting flows are moving markets.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the January 2024 options expiration and its potential implications for the market. We discuss why this expi
The OPEX Effect: December Expiration | S&P 500 Update, Small-Cap Surge, JP Morgan Collar
THE OPEX Effect looks at the impact of options flows on the market from the perspective of longer-term investors. In each episode, we break down what is going on behind the scenes in the options market and how the resulting flows are moving markets.
In this episode, we look at where things stand coming into the December 2023 options expiration. We look at dealer positioning in the S&P 500 hea
The OPEX Effect: November Expiration | 0DTE Options, S&P 500 Update, MAG 7 Positioning
In our latest episode of the OPEX Effect, we discuss the upcoming November options expiration and what Brent is seeing in options markets leading into it. We also talk about the impact of 0DTE options on the market, the relationship between options expirations and VIX expirations, positioning in the Mag 7 stocks and a lot more.
DOWNLOAD THE SLIDE DECK
https://www.validea.com/documents/opexeffect
The OPEX Effect: October Expiration | S&P 500, Bond Volatility, MAG 7, Ozempic Trade
In our inaugural episode of the OPEX effect, Brent Kochuba, Jack Forehand and Justn Carbonneau look at the options market as we approach the October expiration and the big takeaways investors can take from it. We discuss the role options flows play in the market, look at current positioning in the S&P 500 market and also cover bonds, the MAG 7, the Ozempic trade and a lot more.
DOWNLOAD THE S
