When we talk about the stock market, we often think of price movements in stocks or indices. But, there’s another vital ingredient in this financial recipe – volatility. And when it comes to volatility, the VIX or the Volatility Index, often dubbed the ‘fear gauge,’ is the big kahuna. Now, let’s take it one step further. How about trading options on this volatility index? Welcome to the world of VIX options.
Getting a Handle on the VIX
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of VIX options, we need to understand what the VIX is. Simply put, the VIX measures the market’s expectation of volatility for the next 30 days. It’s calculated from the implied volatilities of S&P 500 index options, and is seen as a barometer of market sentiment and volatility. When fear and uncertainty increase, so does the VIX.
Taking a Stab at VIX Options
Now, let’s move on to VIX options. These are options that you trade on the VIX. The unique thing about VIX options is that they don’t track the VIX index directly. Instead, they follow the futures of the VIX. Because of this, they can behave differently than options on stocks or ETFs.
Trading VIX options can be a strategic move in a volatile market. Traders often use VIX options to hedge against market downturns. You see, when the market tanks, the VIX typically goes up, and so the value of VIX options can increase.
VIX Options in Action
To give you a better picture, let’s see how VIX options might work in practice. Suppose you’re worried about an upcoming volatile period in the market, maybe because of a political event or a significant financial announcement. To guard your portfolio against this volatility, you could buy VIX call options.
If the market does become volatile, the VIX index will likely rise, and with it, the value of your VIX call options. You could then sell these options for a profit, which could help offset any losses in your portfolio caused by the market’s volatility.
Riding the Wave with VIX Options
But, trading VIX options isn’t just for the doom and gloom scenarios. You can also ride the wave of decreasing volatility. How? By buying VIX put options.
Suppose you believe that the high volatility in the market is about to settle down. In this case, you expect the VIX to drop, and therefore, you could buy VIX put options. If the VIX does indeed fall, the value of your put options would likely rise, leading to profits when you sell them.
The Risks and Rewards of Trading VIX Options
It’s important to remember that with all trading, there are risks involved. VIX options are no exception. One of the major risks is the complex nature of these options. Since they are based on VIX futures, not the VIX index itself, their price behavior can be confusing. Therefore, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of how VIX futures and options work before diving in.
On the other hand, the rewards can be significant. VIX options can provide a powerful hedge in volatile markets and an opportunity to profit from changes in market sentiment.
Behind the Numbers: The Mechanics of the VIX and VIX Options
Now that we have a handle on what VIX and VIX options are, let’s delve a bit deeper into the mechanics of how they work. As mentioned, the VIX tracks the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility, derived from the price inputs of S&P 500 index options. When traders expect significant swings in the S&P 500, the VIX will reflect this.
It’s important to note that the VIX doesn’t specify which direction the market is expected to move. A higher VIX could mean anticipation of a major upswing or a significant drop.
The Unique Features of VIX Options
VIX options, being derived from VIX futures, come with their unique characteristics that can sometimes baffle new traders. One of these is the fact that VIX options are European style, meaning they can only be exercised at expiration, unlike American style options, which can be exercised at any point before expiration.
This distinction is important because it affects the valuation and the risk management strategies of those who trade VIX options.
Making VIX Options Work for You: More Examples
Let’s look at a few more examples of how you might use VIX options in your trading strategy. Suppose you are an options writer. You write options on individual stocks and collect premiums.
However, if the market becomes volatile, the value of the options you wrote could increase dramatically, resulting in potential losses. To counteract this risk, you could purchase VIX call options. If volatility rises, the value of these VIX options could offset the potential losses from your options writing activity.
Or, consider another example. Let’s say you are a long-term investor with a portfolio primarily composed of S&P 500 stocks. The upcoming election season worries you due to the potential volatility it might cause in the markets. To hedge this risk, you could buy VIX call options. If the market dips due to the election-induced volatility, the VIX is likely to spike, increasing the value of your VIX options and offsetting some of the losses from your stock portfolio.
VIX Options: A Look at the Data
To illustrate the potential of VIX options, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Consider the financial crisis of 2008. The VIX surged from a range of 10-20 to a high of almost 80 in October 2008. If you held call options on the VIX during that period, the value of those options would have increased dramatically, potentially providing a significant profit or offsetting losses in other parts of your portfolio.
In Conclusion: Harnessing Volatility with VIX Options
In a nutshell, VIX options provide a powerful tool for traders to profit from volatility or to hedge against it. Understanding how they work and how to use them effectively requires study and practice, but the potential rewards make this effort worthwhile.
Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a beginner looking to expand your trading toolkit, VIX options offer a compelling option to consider. They open up a new realm of possibilities in trading, providing opportunities to profit from volatility itself, rather than just price movements in specific assets.
As always, remember that all trading involves risk, and it’s important to thoroughly understand any instrument before you begin trading. With proper understanding and careful strategy, VIX options can help you navigate the ups and downs of the market with greater confidence and effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you buy options on the VIX?
Yes, you can buy options on the VIX. They are traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). The options can be purchased to either speculate on future moves in the volatility index or hedge current positions in other securities to mitigate volatility risk.
How does VIX work with options?
The VIX itself is derived from the implied volatility of S&P 500 index options. This means it reflects the market’s expectation of future volatility. VIX options allow traders to trade this expectation. If you believe volatility will increase, you could buy VIX call options. If you believe it will decrease, you could buy VIX put options.
How to do VIX options?
To trade VIX options, you first need to have an approved brokerage account that allows options trading. Once that is in place, you can use the trading platform of the broker to place buy or sell orders for VIX options just like you would for any other options.
What is an example of a VIX option?
A VIX option is a derivative contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the VIX at a specified price (strike price) on or before a certain date (expiration date). For example, if a trader believes that market volatility will increase, they might buy a VIX call option with a strike price of 20 expiring in one month. If the VIX index rises above 20 before expiration, the trader could profit from the difference.
Can I buy VIX options with TD Ameritrade?
Yes, TD Ameritrade offers trading in VIX options. You would need to have options trading permissions in your account, which you can apply for through your TD Ameritrade account.
Why can’t I sell my VIX options?
There could be several reasons why you can’t sell your VIX options. The market for that particular option might be very illiquid, with few buyers. Or your brokerage account may not have the correct permissions set up to allow the sale of options. It’s best to contact your broker to clarify this issue.
How much VIX is good for option buying?
This largely depends on individual trading strategies and risk tolerance. Generally, a higher VIX suggests more expensive options, as the market is anticipating higher volatility. Some traders might see this as an opportunity, while others might see it as a risk.
What is the difference between VIX and VIX options?
The VIX is an index that measures market expectations of near-term volatility conveyed by S&P 500 stock index option prices. VIX options, on the other hand, are derivative instruments that allow traders to speculate on the future values of the VIX or to hedge against volatility risk.
What happens to options when VIX goes up?
When the VIX goes up, it means that the market expects increased volatility. This generally makes options more expensive, as the potential for large price swings increases the likelihood that an option will end up in the money. Therefore, if you hold options and the VIX goes up, the value of your options may increase.
When can you trade VIX options?
VIX options can be traded during regular trading hours, which for the CBOE is from 9:30 AM to 4:15 PM Eastern Time.
Why can’t I buy VIX?
The VIX is an index, not a security, so it can’t be bought directly. However, you can buy securities that track the VIX, such as VIX futures, options, or Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) that are designed to track the VIX.
How do I trade VIX options on Robinhood?
To trade VIX options on Robinhood, you first need to get approved for options trading on the platform. Once approved, you can search for the VIX in the search bar, select it, and then choose the “Trade Options” button to start trading.
Can you trade VIX options after hours?
No, VIX options cannot be traded after hours. They can only be traded during regular trading hours on the CBOE, which is from 9:30 AM to 4:15 PM Eastern Time.
What is the difference between VIX and VXX options?
VIX is the ticker symbol for the Chicago Board Options Exchange’s Volatility Index. It measures the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility. VXX, on the other hand, is a VIX-based exchange-traded note. VXX options are options on this note, while VIX options are based on the volatility index itself.
Which broker has VIX?
Most large brokerage firms, such as TD Ameritrade, E*Trade, and Charles Schwab, offer their customers the ability to trade VIX options and futures.
Can I buy VIX on Schwab?
While you cannot buy the VIX directly, Charles Schwab offers trading in VIX options and futures.
What symbol is VIX on Ameritrade?
On TD Ameritrade, and most other platforms, the ticker symbol for the VIX is simply “VIX”.
How do you buy volatility options?
Volatility options can be bought much like any other option. You would first need an approved brokerage account that allows for options trading. Once that is in place, you can purchase volatility options (such as VIX options) through the trading platform provided by the broker.
Can you exercise VIX options?
VIX options are European style, which means they can only be exercised on their expiration date. However, you can close your position by selling your option prior to its expiration date.
How do you trade options when VIX is low?
When the VIX is low, it typically signals a less volatile market and therefore cheaper options. This could be an opportunity to buy options if you expect volatility to increase. Alternatively, it could be an opportunity to sell options if you believe the market will remain calm. The key is to align your options strategy with your market expectations and risk tolerance.