Trading Block: Strong earnings, surge in oil power Dow to record intraday high. Earnings today: Before the bell: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, Kohls Corporation, Macys Inc.; After the bell: Cosi, Inc., Nordstrom Inc. VRX: ATM straddle approx. $3, 13%. So much for put buyers Stock opened $1.50 higher and closed nearly $6 higher - surrendered most of those gains today.

Odd Block: Calls trade in Twitter Inc (TWTR), calls trade in Alibaba Group Holdings (BABA), puts trade in SPDR Retail ETF (XRT)

Mail Block: Options Question of the Week

Options #QuestionoftheWeek. What is your preferred way to trade crude oil? #QOTW

1. WTI Options / Futures
2. USO Options / ETF
3. XLE Options / ETF
4. Brent Options / Futures

• Question from Rpatel117 - Do you guys think DIS cross 100 this week?"
• Question from Matrix - Never sold options before. Why do some people prefer to sell them when they can buy them instead?
• Question from Cucas - What are the best resources for weeklies?

Around the Block: This Week in the Market

• Aug 9: Productivity and Costs
• Aug 10: JOLTS, Treasury Budget
• Aug 11: Jobless Claims, Export Prices
• Aug 12: Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment