Trading Block: Looking back at 2016! The thrills of victory. The agonies of defeat.

Odd Block: Andrew's favorite Odd Block trades from 2016

• Big winner: Calls trade in Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX). Size upside calls trade (buy Jun expiration $5 ITM) - 2/4/16
• Favorite House Money Roll: Calls trade in Advanced Mico Devices Inc. (AMD). Calls roll up in Jan 2017 - 8/23/16
• Big Jury is still out: Calls trade in Financial Select SPDR (XLF). Size calls trade - 11/17

Mail Block: Happy New Year!

First #QuestionOfTheWeek for 2017. Total #Options volume dropped 2% last year. How will 2017 #Options volume compare?

• About the Same (+- .5%)
• Modest Increase (up 1-2%)
• Modest Drop (down 1-2%)
• Big Change (+- over 2%)

Listener questions

• Question from Scott - I benefited from your unusual activity report (of course there is due diligence on my part). Thank you! Do you have any subscription service for unusual activity? More in depth? Great insight, loved how you filtered the noise. Happy New Year!!"
• Question from WilliamPZE - Does it make sense to buy Rite Aids puts March 7, as Walgreens will close the deal on 01-27-17? Your reply is much appreciated. Thanks, Bill
• Question from RealRK - I just entered the industry. I passed the 7 and 66, but I will not be doing a lot in the options arena aside from hedging. I have a lot of time in the next month, do you guys have suggestions for furthering options knowledge and possibly becoming a specialist in the few years?
• Comment from ELXDX86 - Options Bootcamp is THE best way to start learning options!

Around the Block/This Week in the Market: Nonfarms payrolls for December on Friday, Jan 6.