Examples include the CBOE Short-Term Volatility Index (VIX9D), which reflects the nine-day expected volatility of the S&P 500 Index; the CBOE S&P Month Volatility Index (VIX3M); and the CBOE S&P Month Volatility Index (VIX6M). Products based on other market indexes euro hungarian forint exchange rate history include the Nasdaq-100 Volatility Index (VXN); the CBOE DJIA Volatility Index (VXD); and the CBOE Russell 2000 Volatility Index (RVX). The VIX was the first benchmark index introduced by CCOE to measure the market’s expectation of future volatility. Since the possibility of such price moves happening within the given time frame is represented by the volatility factor, various option pricing methods (like the Black-Scholes model) include volatility as an integral input parameter.
How is the VIX calculated?
When uncertainty and fear hits the market, stocks generally fall, and your portfolio could take a hit. But because of how they’re constructed, even the best volatility ETFs tend to decline in value over time, even if they do spike higher in times of intense volatility. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site.
One of the most popular and accessible of these is the ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY), which is based on VIX futures contracts with a 30-day maturity. Some exchange-traded securities let you speculate on implied volatility up to six months in the future, such as the iPath S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXZ), which invests in VIX futures with four- to seven-month maturities. Large institutional investors hedge their portfolios using S&P 500 options to position themselves as winners whether the market goes up or down, and the VIX index follows these trades to gauge market volatility. For people watching the VIX index, it’s understood that the S&P 500 stands in for “the stock market” or “the market” as a whole. When the VIX index moves higher, this reflects the fact that professional investors are responding to more price volatility in the S&P 500 in particular and markets more generally. When the VIX declines, investors are betting there will be smaller price moves up or down in the S&P 500, which implies calmer markets and less uncertainty.
- A higher VIX indicates greater expected volatility, suggesting investors anticipate larger price swings in the near future.
- The VIX index tracks the tendency of the S&P 500 to move away from and then revert to the mean.
- Options and futures based on VIX products are available for trading on CBOE and CFE platforms, respectively.
- For instance, high VIX readings may signal opportunities for hedging strategies, such as buying put options to protect against potential market downturns.
Market Fear Gauge Stays Lower as Stocks Hit Records
While the VIX itself is an index and cannot be traded, there are funds and notes investors and traders can participate in to gain exposure to the index. The VIX, which was first introduced in 1993, is sometimes called the “fear index” because it can be used by traders and investors to gauge market sentiment and see how fearful, or uncertain, the market is. That much is understood by most investors, but what exactly is volatility and how is it measured for the overall stock market? You may have seen references to something called the VIX, an index that measures volatility, Best ecommerce stock during times of extreme financial stress. In August 2024, the VIX jumped above 60, a level not seen since the market meltdown in the initial stages of COVID-19 in March 2020, as worries grow about a possible recession.
It tends to rise during times of market stress, making it an effective hedging tool for active traders. Though it can’t be invested in directly, you can purchase ETFs that track the VIX. When its level gets to 20 or higher, expectations are that volatility will be above normal over the coming weeks. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) quantifies market expectations of volatility, providing investors and traders with insight into market sentiment. It helps market participants gauge potential risks and make informed trading decisions, such as whether to hedge or make directional trades.
What Is the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX)?
While the precise formula is intricate, understanding the underlying Inverse gold etf principle – that it reflects options pricing which in turn reflects market sentiment – is sufficient for most investors. A higher VIX indicates greater expected volatility, suggesting investors anticipate larger price swings in the near future. Conversely, a lower VIX suggests a calmer market outlook with less anticipated price fluctuation. The VIX, or the CBOE Volatility Index, is a widely used measure of market expectations of near-term volatility.
The higher the VIX, the greater the level of fear and uncertainty in the market, with levels above 30 indicating tremendous uncertainty. It then started using a wider set of options based on the broader S&P 500 Index, an expansion that allows for a more accurate view of investors’ expectations of future market volatility. A methodology was adopted that remains in effect and is also used for calculating various other variants of the volatility index. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), also known as the Fear Index, measures expected market volatility using a portfolio of options on the S&P 500. For instance, high VIX readings may signal opportunities for hedging strategies, such as buying put options to protect against potential market downturns. Conversely, low VIX levels might suggest a market environment more suitable for aggressive investment strategies.
Market professionals refer to this as “implied volatility”—implied because the VIX tracks the options market, where traders make bets about the future performance of different securities and market indices, such as the S&P 500. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is a real-time index that represents the market’s expectations for the relative strength of near-term price changes of the S&P 500 Index (SPX). Because it is derived from the prices of SPX index options with near-term expiration dates, it generates a 30-day forward projection of volatility. Volatility, or how fast prices change, is often seen as a way to gauge market sentiment, and in particular the degree of fear among market participants. The CBOE Volatility Index—also known as the VIX—is a primary gauge of stock market volatility. The VIX volatility index offers insight into how financial professionals are feeling about near-term market conditions.
This isn’t something that will make sense for most investors who are working to meet a long-term goal such as saving for retirement. Miranda Marquit has been covering personal finance, investing and business topics for almost 15 years. She has contributed to numerous outlets, including NPR, Marketwatch, U.S. News & World Report and HuffPost. Miranda is completing her MBA and lives in Idaho, where she enjoys spending time with her son playing board games, travel and the outdoors. This cost of borrowing money can be important to both your personal finances and evaluating a company.