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Use Volatility In Your Favor With Robinhood Options Trading In April, Volatility Index VIX Hit Highest Mark

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–News Direct–

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga

Thanks to their large upside potential, many seasoned traders choose to trade options to play the markets. Fintechs like Robinhood have made accessing the market easier for seasoned traders to fine-tune their strategies, building based on their trading level.

With inflation remaining stubborn, the markets appearing to be waiting for the Federal Reserves next move on interest rates and the U.S. about to enter what is expected to be a polarizing presidential election, volatility has been high. In April, the VIX Index which Wall Street uses to gauge volatility in the market hit its highest level since late October 2023, when the Israel-Hamas conflict began. Year-to-date, the VIX Index is up more than 12%.

Options Abound With Options Trading

While volatility may scare buy-and-hold investors, for active options traders, some look at it as an opportunity. After all, with options trading, investors can engage in a variety of diverse strategies that have the potential to work in all sorts of market conditions, whether it's speculating stocks will go up or down based on their bearish and bullish outlooks. Options are also cheaper than buying shares outright, creating leverage, which means the gains on your investment could be amplified as can losses. However, options expire, and you can lose your entire investment in a short period of time. Some strategies present a potential for substantial or even unlimited losses.

Then there are the hedging capabilities that come with options, which can help mitigate the dangers of high-risk, high-reward instruments. If an investor is worried a stock is going to fall they can purchase puts that enable them to sell the stock at a strike price, regardless of where the stock falls prior to expiration of the option. The same cant be said of stocks. If shares tank, you dont have any downward protection other than to sell and limit your losses. However, if the stock goes up or doesnt move prior to expiration, the option will expire worthless and the loss is equal to the premium paid.

Leveling The Playing Field For Options Investors

Accessing options trading is getting even easier thanks to Robinhoods trading platform. Not only do customers get access to options but also advanced charts, including the ability to track and modify technical indicators such as moving average, relative strength index and moving average convergence divergence. Furthermore, there are no contract fees.*

Other powerful features of Robinhoods platform include the ability to save and monitor options contracts to see hypothetical returns and options rolling in which you can seamlessly adjust and extend your positions. And lets not forget 24-hour support. If you have a question on your option strategy even in the wee hours of the morning, Robinhood has you covered.

Even retirement accounts and cash account holders can trade options with Robinhood. The same cant be said of some of Robinhoods rivals.

Robinhoods efforts to improve access are not surprising. For some time now, the company has been on a mission to level the playing field when it comes to investing by providing access to an array of investment and retirement products, keeping costs down and commissions at zero (other fees apply). Take Robinhood Gold for one example. Gold subscribers get 5% APY on uninvested cash in their brokerage account, a 1% boost on brokerage transfers and instant deposits.

None of this is lost on options traders, which is why that part of Robinhoods business is growing, and options traders are taking note. Robinhood is making moves to grow its market share even more. We want to be number one in the active trader market. So active traders are very important for us, Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev said in a recent interview. They care about very specific things like performance, pricing, user experience. And we're making lots of investments there both in the user experience and in new product innovations that other competitors don't offer, 24-hour market being a great example there.

Options trading is growing in popularity as regular retail investors learn its virtues. Robinhood wants to be a leader in the space and is pulling out all the stops to achieve that.

If you are interested in trading options and want to do so at a low cost with all the support you need, then check out Robinhoods offering here.

Featured photo by Nicholas Cappello on Unsplash.

Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders.

This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.

Disclaimer:

*There are no contract fees charged directly by Robinhood. However Robinhood does pass through certain fees charged by securities regulators and exchanges.

Commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs and options refers to $0 commissions for Robinhood Financial self-directed individual cash or margin brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities and certain OTC securities electronically. Keep in mind, other fees such, Gold subscription fees, wire transfer fees, and paper statement fees may apply to your brokerage account. Please see Robinhood Financial's Fee Schedule to learn more.

Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all customers. Customers must read and understand the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before engaging in any options trading strategies. Options transactions are often complex and may involve the potential of losing the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount.

Robinhood Financial does not guarantee favorable investment outcomes. The past performance of a security or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Customers should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing in options. Because of the importance of tax considerations to all options transactions, the customer considering options should consult their tax advisor as to how taxes affect the outcome of each options strategy. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.

Rolling options does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss. An investor may also end up compounding their losses. By rolling out, the duration is extended, which can also increase risks as there's more time for the underlying security's price to move unfavorably.

One of the key downsides of options vs stocks is that options contracts expire over time. For puts, If the stock price is at or above the strike price, the option expires worthless, and you can lose the money you paid for the options contract.

Risk of VIX options:

The prices of VIX options can fluctuate significantly and thus increase the risk for investors.

The VIX is a synthetic value that is calculated on the basis of option prices. Investors who invest in VIX options should therefore be aware of the special features of this asset class.

In some market situations, the VIX and thus also the prices of VIX options may not move in the expected direction. This means that in some cases VIX options may not help to reduce the risk of a portfolio, but rather increase it.

VIX options generally have a term of only a few months and are therefore more suitable for short-term trading.

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View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/use-volatility-in-your-favor-with-robinhood-options-trading-in-april-volatility-index-vix-hit-highest-mark-337548674

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Gabriel Malkin Florida Completes 120-Mile Camino Walk with Focus, Patience, and Preparation

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Florida, US, 30th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Most students don’t spend the start of summer walking across northern Spain. Gabriel Malkin did. In June 2025, the Florida high school graduate completed a 120-mile stretch of the Camino de Santiago, one of the world’s oldest pilgrimage routes. It wasn’t a last-minute idea. It was a goal he had planned for, trained for, and quietly worked toward for months.

This wasn’t about adventure or social media. For Gabriel, it was about setting a physical goal and showing up for it every day.

“I didn’t want to wing it,” he said. “It was important to take it seriously.”

Gabriel’s prep started long before his flight to Europe. He built up mileage slowly, starting with short daily walks in South Florida. As the months went on, he added distance, tested gear, and paid attention to recovery. Blisters, sore muscles, and weather were all part of the process. So was building patience.

“The Camino isn’t just hard because it’s long,” Gabriel said. “It’s hard because you have to get up and do it again every day. Even when you’re tired. Even when nothing hurts and you feel fine—you still have to walk.”

The daily rhythm became its own challenge. Mornings often started before sunrise, with quiet stretches of trail through farmland, hills, and towns. Gabriel carried a small pack with essentials. Water, snacks, extra socks. No Wi-Fi. No schedule beyond the day’s distance. Just a clear goal and a few hours of steady effort.

That focus and consistency mirrors how Gabriel approaches most things. Whether he’s in class, on the tennis court, or working on saxophone tone, he tends to favor structure and repetition over shortcuts. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up, improving slowly, and staying with it.

“I’ve never been the fastest or the strongest at anything,” he said. “But I like knowing I’m getting better, even if it’s slow.”

Gabriel grew up in South Florida and attended Virginia Shuman Young Elementary, Pine Crest in Fort Lauderdale, and NSU University School in Davie. He played tennis, baseball, and football through different stages of school. He also spent time hiking local trails and practicing saxophone, two interests he says helped him train for the Camino more than people might expect.

“Hiking helped with endurance, obviously,” he said. “But playing music teaches you a lot about repetition and listening to your body. You learn when to push and when to pause.”

For Gabriel, the Camino wasn’t a performance or a competition. It was a quiet personal test. He kept notes during the walk, not for a blog, but to track how each day felt. When he crossed the finish line in Santiago, there was no big moment. Just a quiet sense of completion.

Now back home, Gabriel hasn’t stopped walking. He’s back to local trails, early mornings, and training logs. He’s also thinking about what comes next—college, travel, more endurance goals—but isn’t rushing anything.

“There’s no rush,” he said. “The Camino reminded me that showing up every day matters more than trying to get somewhere fast.”

Gabriel Malkin Florida continues to build habits rooted in preparation, consistency, and follow-through. Whether through athletics, academics, or music, his focus remains steady: stay curious, stay active, and finish what you start.

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Jon DiPietra Debunks 5 Real Estate Myths That Mislead New Yorkers

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  • Jon DiPietra, a New York–based real estate valuation executive, explains why common beliefs about space and value often miss the mark.

New York, US, 30th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, New York City is full of opinions about real estate. Many of them are repeated so often they start to feel true. But according to Jon DiPietra, decades of hands-on valuation work tell a different story.

“You learn things you cannot see in a report,” DiPietra says. “That’s where most of these myths fall apart.”

Below are five common myths that mislead everyday people across dense urban markets, why they persist, and what actually matters instead.

Myth 1: Bigger Space Always Means Better Value

Why people believe it:
Square footage is easy to compare. Listings highlight size first, so people assume more space equals more value.

The reality:
In dense cities, efficiency matters more than size. Studies show poorly used space can reduce productivity by up to 30 percent, even when square footage increases.

As DiPietra puts it, “The goal is not to produce the highest number. The goal is to produce something that makes sense in the real world.”

Try this today:
Identify one underused area in your home or office and repurpose it for a single clear function.

Myth 2: National Data Tells You Everything You Need to Know

Why people believe it:
Online tools and national reports feel authoritative and precise.

The reality:
Real estate is hyper-local. In New York, conditions can change block by block. National averages often lag reality by months.

“Real estate is ultimately driven by people, not formulas,” DiPietra says.

Try this today:
Walk your block at different times of day. Notice noise, foot traffic, and how spaces are actually used.

Myth 3: If a Space Worked Before, It Should Still Work Now

Why people believe it:
People resist change and assume layouts age well.

The reality:
How we live and work has shifted fast. Surveys show nearly 60 percent of people say their space no longer supports how they work today.

“Clear thinking matters more than being busy,” DiPietra notes.

Try this today:
Ask one simple question: What do I actually do here every day? Adjust one thing to support that reality.

Myth 4: More Information Leads to Better Decisions

Why people believe it:
Data feels safe. More feels smarter.

The reality:
Too much information can slow decisions and increase stress. Research links information overload to poorer judgment.

DiPietra says, “More data does not always lead to better decisions.”

Try this today:
Limit yourself to three criteria when evaluating a space or decision. Ignore the rest.

Myth 5: You Need a Major Renovation to Fix a Space

Why people believe it:
Media and social platforms spotlight dramatic transformations.

The reality:
Small changes often have outsized impact. Lighting, noise reduction, and decluttering consistently rank among the highest-return improvements.

“Sometimes the simplest changes create the most lasting value,” DiPietra says.

Try this today:
Improve lighting where you spend the most time. It is one of the fastest ways to change how a space feels.

If You Only Remember One Thing

Spaces influence behavior more than most people realize. When a space creates friction, it is often a design problem, not a personal one.

Understanding how space actually functions is more valuable than following assumptions or averages.

Call to Action
Share this myth list with someone who lives or works in a dense city. Pick one practical tip above and try it today. Small changes, applied intentionally, add up.

About Jon DiPietra
Jon DiPietra is a New York–based commercial real estate valuation executive and cofounder of H&T Appraisal, the valuation group of Horvath & Tremblay. With more than 20 years of experience, he has worked across residential, commercial, mixed-use, and special-use properties, focusing on how real people actually use space.

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Roger Haenke Connects Healthcare and Faith in a Career Centered on Presence and Support

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San Diego, California, 30th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Roger Haenke has spent his career at the intersection of healthcare and faith. As a registered nurse and ordained priest, his work has placed him in moments where people are vulnerable, uncertain, and often searching for support. Whether in hospitals, churches, clinics, or classrooms, Roger Haenke has built a reputation for being present, steady, and quietly dependable.

Roger Haenke began his career in parish ministry after completing his theological education and ordination. He served churches across North Dakota, offering pastoral care, teaching, and leadership. Much of his early work focused on being there for others during personal transitions—illness, loss, change, and growth. These experiences helped shape how Roger Haenke would later approach leadership in every other part of his life.

After leaving active ministry, Roger Haenke returned to school and earned a nursing degree. He started at the bedside and quickly moved into leadership roles. His healthcare career took him through specialty clinics, hospital departments, and community-based health systems. He managed staff, trained nurses, developed new services, and helped improve patient care across several states. At every step, Roger Haenke kept his focus on people and the systems that support them.

The connection between healthcare and ministry was always clear to Roger Haenke. He saw how much both fields depend on trust, communication, and the ability to remain calm when things are hard. He brought this understanding into every room he entered—whether leading a care team, sitting with a patient, or offering support to staff under pressure.

Later, Roger Haenke joined the faculty at San Diego State University. He taught nursing leadership, financial management, and professional development. His students learned not only the structure of healthcare systems, but also how to show up for others with clarity and respect. Roger Haenke’s teaching reflected what he had lived: strong systems matter, but presence and consistency matter just as much.

In his later ministry roles, Roger Haenke continued to offer steady leadership to congregations in the San Diego area. He worked with teams, guided transitions, and focused on inclusion, listening, and shared responsibility. His approach was thoughtful, balanced, and always grounded in care for others.

Now, Roger Haenke is entering a new chapter. He is no longer working in formal institutional roles, but he continues to serve the San Diego community in smaller, more flexible ways. Whether volunteering, mentoring, or simply showing up when needed, Roger Haenke remains committed to steady, meaningful work rooted in the same values he has carried all along.

For Roger Haenke, leadership has never been about attention or titles. It has always been about being present when it counts.

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