VIX

Posts about the VIX index itself — VIX beta, term structure, fear gauge interpretation, and the VIX/SPX relationship.

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A 99th percentile NASDAQ vol spike is the fade

Vol spikes on down days usually become the setup for a crush. Read the mechanics before you chase the move higher.

VIXVol Surface2 min read

The cheap asymmetric vol is sitting in bonds

VIX is back around 20. That's where the crowd is putting its vol bets.

VIXVol Surface2 min read

Alpha book up 3.71%: Delta did the work

Decent week. Alpha Gen book up 3.71%, almost all of it from the Delta sleeve. Long-only also recovered nicely.

VIXTrade Structures3 min read

The 1-2 week window in VIX worth knowing about

There's a clock in the VIX cycle worth knowing about.

VIXTrading Process2 min read

Why I'm not buying VIX here yet

When VIX beta collapses, that usually suggests VIX is a buy. But there is something else...

VIX1 min read

The VIX regime framework

After two and a half decades trading these markets, my core conclusion on volatility is simple. You have to treat it as a series of regimes, not absolute levels.

VIXTrading Process3 min read

The setup I'm watching for a VIX play

Most traders watch VIX rip on a selloff and assume single-stock vols are doing the same thing. They're not. And the gap is one of the most exploitable patterns in index options.

VIXVol Surface2 min read

VIX beta is telling you something

By looking at VIX beta, this playbook is broken right now, and here is why...

VIX1 min read

The "fear gauge" is wrong

CNBC has called VIX the "fear gauge" for 30 years. That's just wrong.

VIXSkew2 min read

VIX is lying to you

SPX makes a new local low. VIX ticks higher. Looks bearish, right? Not so fast.

VIXVol Surface1 min read