Episode 16 of 'Saxo Options Talk': volatility unveiled - understanding market calm

Episode 16 of 'Saxo Options Talk': volatility unveiled - understanding market calm

Options 10 minutes to read
Koen Hoorelbeke

Investment and Options Strategist

Summary:  In Episode 16 of 'Saxo Options Talk,' Koen Hoorelbeke and Peter Siks delve into the complexities of market volatility, focusing on why the VIX is currently low and what that means for traders and investors. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of volatility, its current levels, and strategic adjustments for managing options in a low-volatility environment.


Options are complex, high-risk products and require knowledge, investment experience and, in many applications, high risk acceptance. We recommend that before you invest in options, you inform yourself well about the operation and risks.

Introducing episode 16 - volatility unveiled: understanding market calm

"Episode 16 - volatility unveiled: understanding market calm" provides crucial insights into market volatility, particularly examining the current low levels of the VIX. Koen and Peter discuss the implications of this calm market and how traders can adapt their strategies to manage risk and optimize returns.

Important notice: this is a podcast recorded in mid April 2024. Current VIX/volatility levels are at the time of writing different (yet similar).

Volatility and the VIX explained

  • Current VIX level: The hosts highlight that the VIX is trading around 13-14, a moderate level compared to historical lows below 10 seen in 2017-2018.
  • Market dynamics: They explain the inverse relationship between market movements and volatility, noting that rising markets often lead to decreased volatility.

Impact of options selling strategies

  • Buy-write strategies: The episode covers the benefits of selling calls against ETFs to enhance yield, a tactic widely used by both large funds and individual investors.
  • Market maker dynamics: Learn how market makers stabilize volatility by maintaining delta-neutral positions, buying and selling shares as necessary to balance their portfolios.

Potential risks and market behavior

  • Mean reversion of volatility: Koen and Peter discuss how volatility tends to revert to its mean, indicating that the current low levels might not last.
  • Strategy adjustments for low volatility: They advise reducing the size of short volatility positions and using defined-risk strategies like spreads instead of naked options.

Professional vs. retail impact

  • Volatility management: Understand the different impacts that professionals and retail investors have on market volatility through their long and short positions in premium.
  • Risk mitigation: The episode emphasizes the importance of being cautious with short volatility strategies when the VIX is low and considering defined-risk approaches to mitigate potential losses.

Why listen to episode 16?

For traders and investors aiming to enhance their understanding of market volatility and its impact on options trading, Episode 16 of 'Saxo Options Talk' is a must-listen. It is packed with practical advice and expert insights to help manage risk in a low-volatility environment.

Subscribe and stay ahead

Ensure you don't miss this insightful episode by subscribing to 'Saxo Options Talk' on Podbean, or on Spotify. Keep yourself updated with the latest strategies and discussions in options trading.

Join the discussion

After tuning in, join me on my Threads profile to share your thoughts and insights on the episode. It's an excellent platform for engaging with fellow traders and enhancing our collective understanding of options strategies.

Your questions, our answers

We're eager to hear from you! Send your options-related questions to optionquestions@saxobank.com. Selected questions will be addressed in future episodes, providing customized advice and insights.

Conclusion:

"Episode 16 - volatility unveiled: understanding market calm" equips traders with the knowledge to navigate a low-volatility market effectively. Koen and Peter’s expert guidance sheds light on the intricacies of volatility, offering strategies to safeguard investments and capitalize on market opportunities. Tune in to transform your trading strategies and master the market’s volatility with confidence.

Previous episodes of the "Saxo Options Talk" podcast
Previous "Investing with options" articles
Previous "What are your options" articles
Other related articles
Why options strategies belong in every trader's toolbox
Understanding and calculating the expected move of a stock ETF index 
Understanding Delta - a key guide for Investors and Traders
Trading 0DTEs - get your feet wet - without drowning

Options are complex, high-risk products and require knowledge, investment experience and, in many applications, high risk acceptance. We recommend that before you invest in options, you inform yourself well about the operation and risks. In Saxo Bank's Terms of Use you will find more information on this in the Important Information Options, Futures, Margin and Deficit Procedure. You can also consult the Essential Information Document of the option you want to invest in on Saxo Bank's website. 

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...

Disclaimer

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

Saxo Bank (Schweiz) AG
The Circle 38
CH-8058
Zürich-Flughafen
Switzerland

Contact Saxo

Select region

Switzerland
Switzerland

All trading carries risk. Losses can exceed deposits on margin products. You should consider whether you understand how our products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a general Risk Warning series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. The KIDs can be accessed within the trading platform. Please note that the full prospectus can be obtained free of charge from Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. or the issuer.

This website can be accessed worldwide however the information on the website is related to Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. All clients will directly engage with Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. and all client agreements will be entered into with Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. and thus governed by Swiss Law. 

The content of this website represents marketing material and has not been notified or submitted to any supervisory authority.

If you contact Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. or visit this website, you acknowledge and agree that any data that you transmit to Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd., either through this website, by telephone or by any other means of communication (e.g. e-mail), may be collected or recorded and transferred to other Saxo Bank Group companies or third parties in Switzerland or abroad and may be stored or otherwise processed by them or Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. You release Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. from its obligations under Swiss banking and securities dealer secrecies and, to the extent permitted by law, data protection laws as well as other laws and obligations to protect privacy. Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. has implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect data from unauthorized processing and disclosure and applies appropriate safeguards to guarantee adequate protection of such data.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.