Option Block 397: 2014 Year in Review

Trading Block: Looking Back at 2014

• The crash in the price of oil.


• The potential for Apple to move.


• GDP growth at 5% in the US.


• The 10-year trading about 100 basis points below expectations.


• Changes in portfolio margin.


• VIX becoming more and more mainstream.


• The Ukrainian crisis of Q1/Q2.


• The October volatility.


• Continuing consolidation in the brokerage community.


• How about the speed of the VIX spikes?  


• Despite "low" VIX options, volume still strong in 2014.

Around The Block: What strategies should work well in 2015 depending on market conditions? What to keep in mind for 2015?