The Derivative

Volatility's Heartbeat, the AI Boom, and MJ’s Bulls with Equity Armor’s Brian Stutland

10 snips
Nov 6, 2025
Guest
Brian Stutland
Brian Stutland, Portfolio Manager at Equity Armor Investments with a rich background in trading, shares captivating insights into the world of market volatility and the current AI boom. He explains the VIX as a heartbeat of market sentiment, draws parallels between today's tech landscape and the 1990s, and discusses strategies for trading options and mitigating risk. Stutland highlights the hidden costs of popular option-selling strategies and emphasizes the importance of diversification in tech investments. His unique perspectives make complex financial concepts both engaging and accessible.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

VIX Is A Market Heartbeat

  • The VIX acts like a market heartbeat that cycles between resting and spikes, reflecting expected 30-day S&P moves.
  • Elevated VIX around 15–16 signals persistent risk premium despite a strong bull market.
INSIGHT

Tech Booms Can Raise Stocks And Volatility

  • Booms in transformative tech (internet, AI) can lift both stocks and implied volatility together.
  • That combination can persist for years before a major shakeout occurs.
ADVICE

Pair Growth Stocks With Volatility Hedges

  • Own high-growth tech stocks but pair them with long-volatility exposure to limit drawdowns.
  • Use that long-volatility as optionality to rebalance into stocks after spikes.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app