Episodes

  • The European Market Brief 18: DAX, 0DTEs and German Cars That Turn Heads
    Feb 11 2026

    Is the "Zero Day" infection spreading across the pond? In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of the Eurozone to see how record levels in the DAX and the explosion of 0DTE options are reshaping the landscape for retail and institutional traders alike.

    Host Mark Longo is joined by a powerhouse panel to break down the macroeconomic shifts, sector rotations, and the structural innovations making European derivatives more accessible than ever.

    In This Episode:
    • The 0DTE Contagion: Lex Luthringshausen (Tradier) explains why European traders are beaming into US markets to sling intraday iron condors and how that behavior is translating to cash-settled European indices.

    • DAX to the Max: Eugen Mohr (Eurex) breaks down the "Conservative Shift" in German politics under the new Chancellor and how government spending in the defense and industrial sectors is driving the DAX 40 to record heights.

    • The Economic Cycle: Dr. VSTOXX himself, Russell Rhoads, analyzes why the DAX might offer more "juice" than the S&P 500 in 2026 and why the "Potholes" in the US economy might make European exposure a smoother ride.

    • German Engineering vs. Italian Style: A heated debate on the automotive sector—from BMW and Mercedes to the "Poster Car" aesthetics of Italian design.

    • Micro-Sizing the Market: Why notional size matters and how the Micro-DAX (at just 1 Euro per point) is becoming the ultimate tool for retail risk management.

    • The Red Phone: The panel tackles listener questions on Eurex 0DTE liquidity, "Weekend Risk" trades using V-Stocks, and Tradier's unique "All You Can Trade" subscription model.

    The Panel:
    • Mark Longo: Founder, The Options Insider Media Group

    • Dr. Russell Rhoads: Clinical Professor at the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University

    • Eugen Mohr: Product & Business Development Specialist at Eurex

    • Lex Luthringshausen: SVP of Business Development at Tradier

    Resources Mentioned:
    • The Leap Trading Competition: Join over 50,000 traders in the Eurex/TradingView paper trading challenge. Visit eurex.com/competition .

    • Learn More About Eurex: eurex.com

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • The European Market Brief 17: Taking The Leap: Mastering European Derivatives
    Jan 29 2026

    Is it time to diversify beyond the U.S. and take the "Leap" into European markets? 📍 In this episode, host Mark Longo is joined by Russell Rhoads (IU Kelley School of Business), Cornelius Trenz (EUREX), and Helena Jarabakova (TradingView) to explore how retail and professional traders can access the high-liquidity European derivatives landscape. We dive deep into "The Leap"—a massive new paper trading competition with over $20,000 in prizes designed to help you master EUREX products without risk.

    Continental Conversations:

    • TradingView 101: How Helena Jarabakova and the TradingView team are democratizing access to European data for just $2/month.

    • The "Mid-Morning" Edge: Why the European market close (around 11:30 AM ET) offers a second daily window for volatility and swing trading.

    • VDAX vs. VIX: Analyzing the "Greenland Dust-up" and how European volatility is currently correlating with the U.S.

    • Hidden Gems: Cornelius Trenz highlights why Euro STOXX Banks and STOXX Europe 600 futures are the preferred tools for institutional-grade diversification.

    • Correlation Breakdown: Russell Rhoads explains why the decoupling of DAX and S&P 500 correlation is a green light for portfolio diversification.

    Timestamps:

    • 0:00 – Introduction to European Volatility

    • 5:20 – TradingView: Charting and Education for 100M+ Users

    • 12:45Deep Dive: "The Leap" Paper Trading Competition

    • 22:15 – The "Mid-Morning" Opportunity for U.S. Traders

    • 31:40 – VDAX, VIX, and the Impact of Global Tariffs

    • 45:10 – Mail Call: European Financials & Sector Rotation

    Brought to you by EUREX. Take the Leap today at EUREX.com/competition

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    58 mins
  • The European Market Brief 16: Defense, Financials, and the 2026 Eurozone Outlook
    Jan 7 2026

    The trading day doesn't start when the opening bell rings. In this inaugural episode of 2026, Mark Longo is joined by a powerhouse panel to dissect a wild 2025 and forecast the trends shaping the European derivatives landscape in the year ahead.

    Inside This Episode:
    • 2025 Retrospective: Why European financials and defense sectors outperformed the US mega-cap tech narrative.

    • The Defense Boom: A look at the unprecedented returns in European defense indices (some up nearly 100%) and whether the momentum can survive potential geopolitical shifts.

    • Banking on Europe: Why the STOXX Europe 600 Banks index returned a staggering 76% in 2025 and how the diversification of European mega-caps offers a unique play compared to US financials.

    • Volatility Outlook: Russell Rhoads breaks down the VIX vs. VSTOXX and explains why the US remains the primary source of global "anticipatory" volatility.

    • New Product Alert: Sophie Granchi (Eurex) discusses the shift toward Industry Futures and the demand for thematic trading in a de-globalizing world.

    The Red Phone: Listener Q&A

    The panel answers your burning questions on:

    1. Relative Value Trades: How to play the narrow calendar spreads in VSTOXX vs. the wider spreads in VIX.

    2. Institutional Rotation: Is the heavy volume in European Bank futures a "higher for longer" play or a flight from US markets?

    3. The Divergence Myth: Is the gap between the S&P 500 and STOXX cyclical or a permanent shift in global equity performance?

    Featured Guests:
    • Mark Longo: Founder & CEO, The Options Insider Media Group

    • Russell Rhoads: Kelly School of Business, Indiana University (a.k.a. Dr. VSTOXX)

    • Sophie Granchi Head of Equity & Index Sales (EMEA), Eurex

    • Arun Singhal: Global Head of Index Product Management, STOXX

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    47 mins
  • The European Market Brief 15: The Wild Year Review & The 2026 Outlook
    Dec 17 2025

    What defined European markets in 2025, and what trading trends will dominate 2026? In this year-end episode of the European Market Brief, host Mark Longo joins industry experts from Eurex, Advantage Futures, and Indiana University for a deep dive into market performance and future outlooks.

    The panel moves beyond a simple review to analyze surprising shifts in market structure, from the explosion of prediction markets to the demand for 24-hour trading access.

    Tune in to hear the panel discuss:

    • 2026 Market Predictions: Where the experts see European opportunities next year.

    • Volatility Strategies: Why interest in trading volatility remained high in 2025.

    • Futures Debates: The evolving roles of cash vs. physically settled futures.

    • New Frontiers: Opportunities in credit indices and round-the-clock trading.

    Featured Guests:

    • Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business

    • Mike O'Malley, Advantage Futures

    • Lee Bartholomew, Eurex

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • The European Market Brief 14: Data Mining the European Vol Market
    Dec 11 2025

    In this episode of the European Market Brief, the discussion centers on navigating the European derivatives markets and managing market risk. Host Mark Longo is joined by experts Matt Koren (Eurex), Mark Wator (Barchart), and Russell Rhoads (Kelley School of Business at Indiana University) to provide in-depth volatility trading analysis.

    Key topics include the nuances and trading opportunities within the V-STOXX index (Europe's leading volatility index), its direct comparison to the VIX, and the evolving analytic tools and derivatives market data provided by Barchart.

    Other highlights cover insights into real-time trading activities, the influence of major European market events, and future plans for new financial products, particularly in options and volatility trading. The episode wraps up with answering listener queries about V-STOXX data sources and proven trading strategies.

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    58 mins
  • The European Market Brief 13: Inside the Exploding European Credit Derivatives Market
    Nov 26 2025

    HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

    CO-HOST: Dr. Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business

    CO-HOST: Davide Masi, Eurex

    CO-HOST: Fateen Sharaby, Bloomberg Index Product

    This episode of the European Market Brief focuses on the growing interest and key trends in the European credit derivatives market. They delve into the specifics of credit index futures, covering product offerings, market dynamics, and key use cases for institutional and retail investors. The episode also touches on the implications of recent market volatility, the integration of ETF and futures markets, and the evolving landscape of electronic trading.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • The European Market Brief 12: EU Deep Dive Plus the Mysteries of European Settlement
    Nov 12 2025

    HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

    GUEST: Russell Rhoads, Indiana University's Kelley School of Business

    GUEST: Philipp Schultze, Eurex

    GUEST: Ryan Pitylak, NinjaTrader

    This episode offers an in-depth look at the European derivatives markets. Topics discussed encompass differences between the European and U.S. market structures, the role of economic data, retail trading trends, European-style settlement origins, and the future outlook for European markets. The episode also addresses specific questions from listeners about the European crypto marketplace, warrants, and the term structure of VIX versus VSTOXX.

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    56 mins
  • The European Market Brief 11: Secrets and Mysteries of the Mini-DAX
    Oct 15 2025
    • Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group
    • Panelist: Eugen Mohr, Eurex
    • Panelist: David Russell, TradeStation
    • Panelist: Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business
    In this episode, the panel discuss the intricate details of the DAX complex, exploring its evolution from the original contract to the introduction of mini and micro futures. They highlight the significance of different contract sizes and how they cater to varying investor needs, especially retail investors. They also discuss liquidity, market strategies, and future trends. And, the impact of zero DTE options on the European market is also examined, along with a focus on VSTOXX and their role during market volatility. Listeners get a comprehensive overview of trading opportunities, market behavior, and strategic insights to navigate the European derivatives landscape effectively.
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    59 mins