Trading Block: Nvidia stocks rises on new of chips being used in handle processing of driverless cars. Intel was aware of the chip vulnerability when its CEO sold off $24 million in company stock & options.

Odd Block: More Jan 2019 50 "Catastrophe" puts in Tesla Motors (TSLA). Massive call party in Guggenheim CurrencyShares Euro Trust (FXE). Buying more time in Johnson Controls International PLC (JCI)

Mail Block: Options question of the week

2017 was the "Year that Volatility Died." So our 1st #QOTW for 2018 is a puzzler: Where do you think $VIX will close at the end of the year?

• 16% - Between 7.5-9.99
• 35% - Between 10- 12.49
• 13% - Between 12.50 -14.99
• 36% - Above 15

Listener questions and comments:

• Question from Ensco8651: Question for the Option Block crew. As learned from this program, cash secured puts are a great way to enter a position on a stock I want to own. Just recently, I sold 2 puts with a strike price of $24. At expiration, the stock was at $23.95 so I anticipated getting 200 shares assigned to me but only received 100. Upon contacting my broker, he explained that the holder of the other 100 shares had a "do not assign" flag on them. Please clarify. I don't believe I have to "option" to not accept the shares if they fall below the strike price. Why should he have the "option" to not assign the stock to me? Thanks guys, GREAT show.

Around the Block: Earnings are on the horizon. Will the SPX hit 2800 by the end of the week? Ally Invest clients are talking about options as protection. Momentum is ridiculous going into earnings.