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Volatility Views


Volatility Views is the premier radio program for volatility traders. From interviews with leading industry guests to detailed analysis of volatility products, this program takes you inside the world of volatility trading like never before. If you are an experienced options trader looking to expand your understanding of volatility, or if you are simply curious about VIX and other volatility products, then this is the program for you.

Jul 27, 2015

Volatility Review: In this episode, we are joined by guest co-host Mark Shepherd, Derivatives Strategy Consultants.

  • VIX Cash: VIX selloff finally over - VIX cash stabilized around the 13 handle this week.
  • VIX Futures: New weeklies listed this week.
  • VIX Options: Calls over puts: 2.9 / 1. Solid volume week - most days over 600k contracts. Total 5.83m (4.35m Calls, 1.48m Puts)
  • Gold: GVZ: 19.39 - Spiked nearly 5 handles this week. Gold volatility skew - clear concern in the near term, longer-dated options showing some bullish positioning as well.

Volatility Voicemail: Listener questions and comments.

  • Question from LAX66 - Do you guys know where I can find a list of the pensions and endowments that utilize options and futures for hedging purposes? I would like to see if my money is safe and being put to good use. Is that info publicly available?
  • Question from Bailiwyck - I would like to submit a question from the volatility views radio program. What is the problem with GVZ? Why are there no products to trade with it? I looked it up earlier this week only to find zero contracts traded. Did they delist them? You would think this product would be very popular in a week like this.
  • Question from TalbotL - Let me see if I have this straight. The front end of the VIX curve is where all the crazy stuff happens. So I want to avoid that in my hedges and "kick the can" past it. The longer portion of the VIX curve is where things typically get pricey. So am I correct in assuming that somewhere in the midpoint - around 3 months - is the goldilocks spot where I should buy my porridge? Is that the most effective place to purchase VIX futures for hedging from a cost to vega perspective?

Crystal Ball: Wild prognostications about the future of volatility.