Amid recent geopolitical developments, futures on the implied volatility of the S&P 500—the VIX—rose to touch the 30 level on Monday, March 9, a level last seen in April 2025. In a recent note published by a professional volatility trader, it was argued that when the VIX closes above 30, opportunities for volatility traders tend […]
VIX: Equity Volatility Remains Subdued
While volatility across multiple asset classes has increased steadily over recent weeks—something we have all observed—the VIX index, which reflects equity market volatility and more specifically options on the S&P 500 maturing within 30 days, has remained relatively subdued. To be fair, the VIX has attempted to rebound a couple of times over the past […]
Natural Gas: Seasonality Meets a Mild Winter Outlook
Last week saw a sharp decline of 22.23% in Natural Gas futures (NGAS), with prices falling to $4.113 per MMBtu (million British thermal units). What drove such a pronounced move? First, a preliminary clarification is warranted. Commodities exhibit materially higher volatility than equities or FX. This is readily observable in instruments such as crude oil […]
