Volatility Views 243: Crazy VIX Ratio Call Spreads

Published: Feb. 20, 2017, 4:26 p.m.

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

  • VIX Cash - Just under 11.76
  • VVIX - 80
  • CBOE Skew Index - 141, approaching 6-month high of 146 set on Jan 20.
  • VIX Futures: Front month premium to cash - 1.25; Two month premium to cash - 2.50.

Russell's Weekly Rundown:

Volatility Voicemail: Quizzes, questions, comments

Options #QuestionOfTheWeek: Trading single #Calls and #Puts is fine, but smart #Options traders use spreads. What is your go-to spread?

  • Vertical/Ratio Vertical
  • Calendar/Diagonal
  • Butterfly/ Iron Butterfly
  • Iron Condor

Listener questions:

  • Question from Nordictan - Is it possible to change the default LiveVol font settings and make it larger? The current setting is simply too small for my multi-monitor setup. My screen devoted to LiveVol is a bit removed from my seating position so I always struggle to read it. A nice pop in the font size would be very useful.
  • Question from Vincent Chase - Why do you say that this earnings cycle is disappointing from a volatility perspective?

Crystal Ball: Your headquarters for wild and reckless prognostication.

Last week:

  • Mark L - 10.45
  • Mark S. - 10.85
  • Russell - 11.75

This week:

  • Mark L. - 11.25
  • Mark S. - 10.75
  • Russell - 12.01