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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.

Nov 13, 2017

Volatility Views 280: Tapping the Secret Sources of VIX Info

Volatility Review: A look back at the week from a volatility perspective

  • VIX cash: VIX briefly flirted with 12
  • VVIX: 98.5 - 7 points higher than last week
  • CBOE SKEW Index: 129 - 8 points higher than last week
  • VXN: 15.04 - .5 points higher than last week

Russell's Weekly Rundown:

VIX Options:

  • ADV - 758k
  • Thurs - 1m
  • Weds - 632k
  • Tues - 899k
  • Mon - 442k
  • VIX call/put: 3.8 - Russell is nervous

Hot VIX strikes

  • 710842 .VIX Dec 20th 25.0 C, chg +67163
  • 515136 .VIX Dec 20th 15.0 C, chg -1377
  • 400697 .VIX Nov 15th 20.0 C, chg +5029
  • 372447 .VIX Dec 20th 12.0 P, chg +829
  • 334283 .VIX Nov 15th 21.0 C, chg -5413
  • 308546 .VIX Dec 20th 22.0 C, chg +4167
  • 263899 .VIX Nov 15th 17.0 C, chg +11157
  • 240963 .VIX Dec 20th 20.0 C, chg +7087
  • 226612 .VIX Nov 15th 15.0 C, chg -3270
  • 222571 .VIX Dec 20th 17.0 C, chg +4591
  • Total 12.7m (10.1m Calls, 2.61m Puts)

VXX: 34 - almost unchd from last week

Top VXX positions

  • 114719 VXX Jan19 10.0 P, chg +22
  • 75429 VXX Jan 10.0 P (Nonstd VXX2), no chg
  • 75157 VXX Jan19 5.0 P (Nonstd VXX2), no chg
  • 60900 VXX Jan 5.0 P (Nonstd VXX2), no chg
  • 55450 VXX Jan 5.0 P (Nonstd VXX1), no chg
  • 55150 VXX Mar 24.0 P, chg +408
  • 49560 VXX Jan 7.0 P (Nonstd VXX2), no chg
  • 46458 VXX Nov 38.0 C, chg -1763
  • 43537 VXX Jan 20.0 C (Nonstd VXX2), no chg
  • 43457 VXX Jan 8.0 P (Nonstd VXX2), chg +6
  • Total 3.88m (1.78m Calls, 2.10m Puts)

Volatility Voicemail: Listener questions and comments

Options question of the week: Trading #Options during #Earnings is a coin flip. But you know you love to do it. What's your #Earnings #Options MO?

  • Buy Calls/Call Spreads
  • Buy Puts/Put Spreads
  • Sell Puts/Put Spreads
  • Fly/Iron Fly/ Iron Cond.

Listener questions and comments

  • Comment from TMal: Big options sell firm gain AUM as they do well. They are another "natural seller" of options (weekly and monthly).
  • Question from Chris Thomas: Hey guys. Trading a long calendar on VIX is a bad idea in that what you pay isn't the max loss. It's possible for the closer expiration to experience a larger move than the back month and thus you can lose more than you make? I believe I understand that correctly so my actual question is, is this true for SVXY and VXX? Thanks for imparting your knowledge so us plebeians can learn.
  • Question from Encinoj: Here’s my time strangle trade idea for VIX. Buy 1-2 yr VXX 20% OTM puts and also buy approx. 3 mth. 20% OTM VIX calls.

Crystal Ball: Wild prognostication ensues

Last week:

  • Andrew: 9.99
  • Russell: 8.95
  • Mark L: 9.55

This week:

  • Mark S.: 9.99
  • Russell: 9.15
  • Mark L.: 9.65