Even More Massive Than The VIX Drop

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The Option Pit VIX Traffic Light Is Red: Volatility Is Likely To be Stable or Drop.


Hey Traders,


VIX closed at lows not seen since January 12th settling at 18.57, down 1.06 points on the day.


Only a few weeks ago traders would have sworn up and down that there was no way VIX was going to be below 20 …


Clearly they were wrong.


And considering this is a Monday,  and we have the Weekend Effect in the index, VIX really got smashed.


Even more impressive was the move in the futures.


Check out the drop in VIX futures over the last three sessions:



On Thursday, the April VIX future closed 23.10. Monday’s close was 21.10.


That is a two point VIX futures drop in two trading days. That is a MASSIVE move for VIX futures.


Yet even with the move, April futures are still trading 2.60 points above the cash.


That is a huge spread given we only have 15 days left in the VIX cycle, including a long weekend!


We could see more downside here.


The VIX April 17-strike puts went out with no bid at $0.10.


These are worth more than nothing. I would be a buyer for $0.05. I think the risk-reward is there, as they will almost certainly trade above $0.10 if the VIX continues this path.


Alternatively, ProShares Ultra VIX Short Term Futures ETF (Ticker: UVXY) puts for next week – heading into the long weekend – seem a bit underpriced.


I would be a buyer of these.


Your Only Option,


Mark Sebastian

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Mark Sebastian

Mark Sebastian

Mark Sebastian is a former member of both the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), where he spent years mastering the art of options trading in the most competitive environment imaginable. As Chief Investment Officer at the hedge fund Karman Line Capital, Mark manages sophisticated options strategies for institutional clients. He is the author of two highly regarded books on options trading: ‘The Option Traders Hedge Fund’ and ‘Trading Options for Edge.’ Mark is a frequent guest on major financial networks including CNBC, Fox Business News, Bloomberg, and First Business News, where he provides expert commentary on market volatility and options strategies.

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About the Author

Mark Sebastian

Mark Sebastian

Former CBOE floor trader and CIO at Karman Line Capital. Author of ‘The Option Traders Hedge Fund’ with over 30 years of options trading experience.

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