The OPEX Effect

The OPEX Effect

The OPEX Effect is a joint podcast from Excess Returns and SpotGamma where we take a deep dive into the world of options and the flows they generate in markets. Join Brent Kochuba and Jack Forehand every month on Options Expiration week as they look at the major developments in the options world and how they impact all of our portfolios.
The Melt Up That No One Expected | What the Options Market Says About What Comes Next
The OPEX EffectMay 09, 202601:06:58

The Melt Up That No One Expected | What the Options Market Says About What Comes Next

Brent Kochuba of SpotGamma joins Jack Forehand for the May 2026 OPEX Effect to break down what options positioning is saying after a massive AI and semiconductor-led market rally. They discuss SPX cal...

The Market the Tweets Can’t Break | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
The OPEX EffectApril 11, 202601:08:31

The Market the Tweets Can’t Break | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next

This episode of The Opex Effect breaks down why markets have remained surprisingly resilient despite geopolitical chaos, an oil shock, and extreme headline risk. Brent Kochuba joins Jack Forehand to a...

A 3% Drop from VIX 40 | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
The OPEX EffectMarch 20, 202601:09:59

A 3% Drop from VIX 40 | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next

This episode breaks down the growing tension beneath the surface of today’s markets, where volatility signals, options positioning, and macro risks like war and inflation are increasingly misaligned. ...

Violently Going Nowhere | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next
The OPEX EffectFebruary 15, 202601:06:50

Violently Going Nowhere | What the Options Market Tells Us About What Comes Next

In this episode of The Opex Effect, Jack and Brent break down the growing impact of options markets on stocks, volatility, and sector rotation. While the major indexes appear calm, massive moves benea...