TWIFO 482: Riding the Storm in Small Caps, Crude, Silver and...Rough Rice?

This episode of This Week in Futures Options (TWIFO) captures a market in transition. As we move through January 2026, the "All-In" equity trade is facing a rotation, silver is behaving like a high-octane meme stock, and even the most obscure products like Rough Rice are seeing double-digit vol spikes.

Whether you are hedging a portfolio against an earnings-season sell-off or looking to harvest high premiums in the metals, this episode provides the professional analysis you need to separate the wheat from the Lean Hogs.

Episode Highlights The Movers & Shakers: A Tale of Two Tapes

The Jedi (Light Side) are winning this week, but the Sith (Dark Side) struck the hardest blows in percentage terms.

• The Dark Side: Natural Gas plummeted 23.9%, Bitcoin dropped 6.3%, and the Russell 2000 took a breather after a massive YTD run.

• The Light Side: Silver stole the show, rallying over 20% on the week. WTI Crude and Brent both surged ~10%, while Palladium saw a double-digit rebound.

Equities: The Great Rotation of 2026

Uncle Mike Tosaw reveals a major strategic shift, moving away from Large Caps and into Mid-Caps and Small Caps.

• Large Cap Fatigue: The S&P 500 is up 72% over three years, while Mid-Caps are up only 33%. Is the gap finally closing?

• Zero-Day Obsession: Despite the 0DTE craze, the "Big Dog" trade this week was the 6,600 Puts in the E-mini S&P, expiring in 22 days—a massive hedge against upcoming tech earnings.

Energy: Crude is Back on the Menu

WTI Crude hit a rare 1-million contract week.

• The Conflict Trade: With Middle East tensions rising, traders are aggressive in the March 70 and 75 calls, betting on an $80 handle by summer.

• Volatility Alert: Crude vol in March is currently sitting at 56.7, up nearly 14 points on the week.

Metals: Silver's "Meme Stock" Era

Silver is up over 400% in three years, leading Uncle Mike to label it the new meme stock of the commodities world.

• Historic Volatility: Silver vol is currently at a staggering 107.2.

• The Upside Play: Massive flow in the March 120 calls (only 7 handles away!) as traders chase the vertical spike.

The Curveball: Rough Rice?

In a TWIFO first, the panel explores the esoteric world of Rough Rice options.

• Market Dynamics: Despite low liquidity, Rough Rice saw a 4.6% move this week with a metal-like skew where calls are catching a heavy bid.

The All-Star Panel

• Mark Longo: Founder, Options Insider Media Group

• "Uncle" Mike Tosaw: Wealth Manager, St. Charles Wealth Management