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VIX ETF Nears Record Low (85% Of Float Short)

Tyler Durden's picture




 

While we are well aware of the decay-ridden denigration of VXX (the VIX ETF), today's plunge (on heavy volume) nears a new record low for the NYFed's best friend. With 51.695 million shares short (and just 60.5 million shares oustanding) according to Bloomberg data, one can only imagine what happens if we get a true 'event' that is allowed to happen.

 

VXX nears record lows... 18.50 vs 18.45 lows on May 22nd

 

As VIX futures push back towards the most short in 2 years...

 

And actual short spec contracts (at over 201,000) are close to record highs.

 

Charts: Bloomberg

 

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Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:47 | 6182659 Hype Alert
Hype Alert's picture

In an ETF that is designed to reverse split regularly, why wouldn't you short it?

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:49 | 6182669 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

I'm thinking the phrase "high finance" refers to drug use, as you'd have to be out of your damn mind to take any of this shit seriously.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:53 | 6182692 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

The casino is busy, so get your free drink and hit the slot machines.....

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:56 | 6182956 HungryPorkChop
HungryPorkChop's picture

VIX pricing is 100% manipulated just like everything else that the banks see is critical to control.  They've apparently set the high speed algorithms to continue and drive the VIX lower.

 

When you look at the model it makes sense in order to protect currencies, bonds and stawk markets.  VIX is volatility and worry!  So they beat the living h*ll out of the VIX price using algo's and its so obvious by some of the rapid beat downs that it resembles the gold and silver charts.  This looks as rigged as it gets.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 13:53 | 6183165 Fun Facts
Fun Facts's picture

VIX is a black scholes input.

Therefore, manipulating vix lower has a direct effect, reducing all option premiums and severely mispricing risk.

This mispriced risk then goes on to percolate into the underlying securities, dampening the volatility.

The above the law central banks have destroyed the markets since 2008 with their ongoing daily open market operations.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 17:07 | 6184007 actionjacksonbrownie
actionjacksonbrownie's picture

Yeah, but just wait til it bounces back to 7000!

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:56 | 6182706 Hype Alert
Hype Alert's picture

Like a stock, VXX’s shares can be split or reverse split— 4:1 reverse-splits are the norm and can occur once VXX closes below $25.  For more on VXX reverse splits see this post.

 

http://sixfigureinvesting.com/2013/04/how-does-vxx-work/

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:11 | 6182767 Paveway IV
Paveway IV's picture

"...one can only imagine what happens if we get a true 'event' that is allowed to happen..."

Nope - sorry. I can't even imagine TPTB 'allowing' anything to happen anymore. It's ALL well-staged Kabuki theater, complete with black swans and two-headed freaks waiting to march across the state on cue. 

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:36 | 6182875 DavidC
DavidC's picture

The FED and US Government don't work in a vacuum. Russia, China and other countries have had enough of the US parading round as the 'big I am'. America's history is one of hucksters and snake oil salesmen (not an original quote from me but I can't remember who said it unfortunately).

ALL fiat currencies come to an end.
ALL Empires come to an end.

DavidC

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:14 | 6182786 Jumbotron
Jumbotron's picture

** ALERT **

Watch out ZeroHedge commenters.  The DOJ could be coming for you.

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-government-wants-names-of-online-co...

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:48 | 6182662 Soul Glow
Soul Glow's picture

Janet's favorite short - the VIX.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:01 | 6182733 Fun Facts
Fun Facts's picture

Todays so called "markets" as managed by the Sea Bees....

Print money

Buy S&P futures

Sell VIX

Sell Gold

Lie to the donkeys about what's holding things together

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:23 | 6182821 Soul Glow
Soul Glow's picture

SELL THAT PAPER GOLD!  I GIVE NO FUCKS!

Keep stacking :)

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:52 | 6182939 actionjacksonbrownie
actionjacksonbrownie's picture

I did a little 'back of the napkin' calc this morning  on the gold supply/demand situation as it stands today. In 2014, there was close to 3000 tonnes of gold produced. India and China accounted for 2200 tonnes of demand. Central banks accounted for another 500 tonnes of demand. That leaves a mere 300 tonnes for the rest of the world to use for industry, jewelry, and investment (coins/bars/funds).

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 13:06 | 6182993 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

In much of the world 'jewelry' is sold by the gram. Go to an Indian wedding jewelry site.Every item displays the grams of gold in the piece. That gives the buyer a base price. The rest is in the artistry of the designer and other jewels in the item.

I really don't consider this to be a simple 'jewelry' transaction. It is really an investment in gold bullion...just in a wearable form.

With the exception of Western wedding rings most of the world's gold is sold like this.

 

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 13:50 | 6183156 actionjacksonbrownie
actionjacksonbrownie's picture

I have purchased gold jewelry in the Philippines and the transaction begins either with the buyer supplying the goldsmith with a cetain quantity and purity of gold, or the purchase of gold directly from the jeweler, and then a quote for labour to fabricate the design selected by the purchaser. It is very efficient and there is no markup in price for any metals purchased - the profit is made on the fabrication.

 

After experiencing this type of jewelry purchase, it has become a rather disgusting experience making jewelry purchases locally. The markups are extreme and the purity is garbage. The difference in price between a large gold chain here, and making the same purchase in Asia, would be more than enough to fund a nice vacation to that side of the world.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:48 | 6182664 Lady Jessica
Lady Jessica's picture

I see green shoots..........and a lot of red roots.

PS "rooted" is Australian slang for "fucked".

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:50 | 6182674 coulous
coulous's picture

What could happen ?

NOTHING SEEMS TO HURT THOSE MARKETS

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:51 | 6182683 Osmium
Osmium's picture

This pig set to go even lower.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 11:58 | 6182717 Turin Turambar
Turin Turambar's picture

Duh, shorting volatility is a close to being the Fed as one can get. You're basically creating money out of nothing thanks to Fed market rigging via S&P futures.  SMH

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:04 | 6182744 NoWayJose
NoWayJose's picture

Yet another example of 'nekkid shorting' allowed by the SEC so that the big banks can make money.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:29 | 6182845 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Why would there ever be a time when the FED software would not control VIX futures? Without a revolution it's not going to happen.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 12:54 | 6182948 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

Since all our 'money' is debt, the Fed will replace bad debt with cash. The answer to Gross' question is: it will end when the FEd can no longer print...........or when those who are the recipients of the cash no longer want it.

Since the Fed is unrestrained in it's printing.....the answer is: when hyperinflation destroys the dollar.

See Bill ...easy question.

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 16:39 | 6183342 mt paul
mt paul's picture

a battered old  boat sailed into the Zero hedge Yacht club

late last night on the ebbing tide..

low in the water looking salty, hard sailed 

her name is 'Miss Vix;

Thu, 06/11/2015 - 00:51 | 6185376 JoWazzoo
JoWazzoo's picture

Well VXX set a new record low today.  Heh

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