Volatility Views 235: The Mysterious Seasonality of Volatility

Published: Dec. 27, 2016, 7:02 p.m.

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

  • VIX Cash - 11.75
  • VVIX at 89, rebounding slightly off late-November ow of 79.
  • VIX Futures: Approx. 2.5 point premium cash vs. Jan future.

Russells Weekly Rundown:

  • Watching the Dec 28 strike
  • VIX Options: ADV - 550k. A decent volume week, several days over ADV, light volume on Friday. Total 4.80m (3.55m Calls, 1.26m Puts)
  • Crude Oil: Crude Vol continues to be crushed, now below 30. OIV/OVX - 29, what is the new floor for crude volatility?

Volatility Voicemail: Listener questions and comments

#QuestionOfTheWeek - Major market indices are pushing record highs. Everyone has protection on the brain. How do you protect your portfolio?

  • Just Move to Cash/Bonds
  • Protective ATM/OTM Put
  • Put Spread/Ratio Put Sprd
  • Collar or Collar w/Kicker
  • Question from Ian Wagner - I am confused. Are there tradable RVX options? CBOE has microsite, but not seeing them listed on brokers. Thanks!
  • Question from Eddy - December for volatility; Is this month always the seasonal low for volatility in the year, or is that still reserved for July/August?

Crytsal Ball: Wild prognostication ensues

Last week:

  • Mark L. - 12.25
  • Mark S. - 11.5
  • Russell - 13.5

This week:

  • Mark L. - 11.25
  • Russell - 12