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A Friendly Reminder on the VIX
The VIX index measures the expectations of market volatility out 30 days.
The VIX closed below 15 today - which means all is well, right?
As a reminder, the VIX was also calm like this about four years ago. And then the S&P promptly declined nearly 50%. As institutions pump up the price of equities, be very careful about who you're trusting with your retirement funds - history tends to repeat itself, and if it does in the case of the VIX level, you can plan on postponing retirement... again.
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Can someone tell me how buying LEAPs on the VIX would be a bad idea? I'm not a great trader but I have never had a problem buying the VIX cheap and holding. I feel like its way too obvious right now but the temptation is killing me. Any help would be much appreciated.
A Seeking Alpha post shows a real pre 2007 floor at 10 ... What do you think ?
Cost average 1000 shares VXX versus 1 point moves in VIX down to 10 ?
Or just day trade VXX until a Gap UP signal happens then get long with options ?
It seems all the Hedge Funds are unwinding their VIX insurance / positioning until the end of March ?
http://seekingalpha.com/article/436131-daily-state-of-the-markets-the-great-vix-debate?source=yahoo
Retail investors are out of this market, prices going higher on manipulation by the Fed, the question tghen is, what value do any of these charts have when you have no reality in the market?
This has happened before, and people said the same. See April 2007, October 2007, April 2008, May 2010 and May 2011.
@MFL8240
This analysis has made the rounds for the last 3 years and I was wrong to discount it. Clearly the banks and market makers are waiting to offload. I thought events would force their hand earlier than this, but being TPTB has it's advantages.
The ONLY way that one should hold securities is with accompanying S&P puts. It's an especially good time to pick up some cheap (low VIX). Instead, what will happen is that the idiots - lulled by the endless MSM babble about the glorious recovery (quote unquote) - will rush in even as smart money is leaving. Don't they realize we are on the crest of a low-volume/low-expectation wave?
The Answers Are In The Stars:- 'Astro-Technical Stock Market Review: Sidewinder or Death Dive?
VIX Vapor Rub
mine's VIX Factor 5, 'Deleriously Happy'
There's no time like the present to jump into equities, after a doubling of indexes in 3 years, constituting one of the largest bear market rallies (yes, Virginia, we are in a secular bear market in equities - you're down 40% from 1999 in real terms; or far more, as I like to mention, considering the magic-con artist tricks of reshuffling indexes and survivorship bias), during what can still be credibly argued to be flat or even deteriorating economic fundamentals (truly papered over by accounting tricks and, well, papering over - with fiat) in American Ponz....errr...equity market history (only that rough-great-rough patch in the 1930s produced a more outsized anomaly).
Firstly, juiced gamma is what you get at the money options with a short lifespan. Zero hedge is a delta neutral hedge.
How do you make money in low environment, position and patiently wait.
What causes low vol/complacency? Look at the charts, slowly upward sloping over an extended period. The guys picking up the nickels in front of the steamroller have been doing well. Someone (Taleb possibly) said the option sellers eat like birds but shit like elephants.
What characterizes this environment is the lack of bad news and the feeling of impending doom. We all feel guilty taking advantage and buying our iPad 3 and AAPL stock. What could knock this market down.
Best guess is Iseal attacks Iran, not really a black swan in itself, the consequences could be dire, $200/barrel oil, bombs raining down on Tel Aviv, etc. That is my best guess as to the end of this bull and the vol explosion that follows would be massive. Sell into VIX above 40, remember at the height VIX was 80, but at the bottom march 09 it was about 40 so best not to be greedy.
Position yourself by buying cheap strangles (out of the money, with low theta, long time to expiration). Roll them with more than a month, you may have to wait a long time for the inevitable vol rise, so you may want to sell a small quantity of nearer term options to pick up some decay.
These are sophisticated strategies and you need an account with ability to sell naked options, and especially low commissions. IB is my choice.
"option sellers eat like birds but shit like elephants"
I tried that. For the last six months I've been eating like a bird but I just got constipated.
i wouldnt jump in yet, but im no expert.....
Just can't find a good entry point... It's sooo tempting now.
What's the way to bet the VIX will rise? And isn't there something strangely problematic about doing so that is unique to VIX (though I can't recall what that is)?
VXX but I wouldn't use it as a long term investment. It doesn't track the VIX as they invest in short term VIX futures and keep rolling them. Look at a chart of the VIX vs VXX over the past 3 years
SPX options, VIX futures and options, ETNs tracking the VIX... a whole bunch.
Talking about these ETNs and how performance may not match what you see?
http://www.ipathetn.com/product/VXX/
Return of the Monster VIX!
Coming soon to a stock market near you. Parental guidance advised.
there's Euphoria Support Groups at VIX-10 and nurses with anti-depressant drugs at VIX-80
we must keep the market together at all costs, Rothchild needs his Royalty machines operational
'KER-CHING'
Many of the Baby Boomers won't be postponing retirement. It will becoming early when the companies find themselves in trouble and lay off a good portion of their workforce.