

Volatility Views
The Options Insider Radio Network
Volatility Views is the premier radio program for volatility traders. With leading industry guests and detailed analysis of volatility products, this program takes you inside the world of volatility trading like never before. If you are an experienced options trader looking to expand your understanding of volatility, or if you are simply curious about VIX and other volatility products, then this is the program for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 10, 2018 • 1h 1min
Volatility Views 320: Talking VIX, VXX, SPX, TSLA, NVDA, BTC and more
Volatility Review: A look at last week from a volatility perspective VIX Cash - 14.4, up 2.4 from two weeks ago RVX - 15.90 VVIX - 100 - 7 handles higher than last show VIX Options - ADV: 459k, VIX call/put: 3.3/1, Total 7.62m (5.82m Calls, 1.80m Puts) VXX - 30.40, nearly 2-points higher than last show Crystal Ball: Your prognostication headquarters Last week: Mark L. 11.55 Mark S. - 11.95 This week: Mark L. - 13.75 Mark S. - 13.00

Aug 31, 2018 • 1h 3min
Best of Volatility Views 269: One More VXX Reverse Split
This episode was originally posted on August 28th, 2017. Volatility Review: A look back at the week from a volatility perspective. The numbers: VIX Cash - 12.33, a high of 14.45 on Monday. VVIX - 100 CBOE Skew Index - 130 Russell's Weekly Rundown VIX Options: ADV - 764k, VIX Call/Put - 3.4, Total 11.5m (8.88m Calls, 2.66m Puts) VXX reverse split trade Volatility Voicemail: Listener questions and comments Comment from JLC - That $VIX 60 guy is just nuts. He's just trying to make a name for himself with that prediction. $SPX wld need to drop over 10% to be right. Question from FContangotrader - What is your thought on $VIXH? Maybe every episode you can give an intro into various Vol ETN and ETF. Thanks and keep with good work Comment from FContangotrader - Mark Sebastian, so how do you hedge your gamma and your mother in law? Crystal Ball: Wild and reckless prognostication Last week Mark L. - 13.55 Mark S. - 12 Kevin - 18.25 Guest - 14.30 This week Mark L. - 11.75 Mark S. - 11.00 Russell - 10.80

Aug 27, 2018 • 60min
Volatility Views 319: Talking VIX, VXX, VOLI and NVDA Volatility
Volatility Review: A look back at the week from a volatility perspective VIX Cash - 12, down one point from last week. VVIX - 93, ten handles lower than last week. VIX OPTIONS - ADV: 462k, VIX call/put: 3.3/1, Total 6.31m (4.83m Calls, 1.48m Puts) Return of the 1x2? VXX - 28.65, one and a half points lower than last week. Earnings Volatility: NVDA - ATM straddle: $16.50, approx. 6% VIX lawsuit press release - Kessler Topaz chosen as co-lead counsel overseeing national antitrust case alleging manipulation of CBOE's Volatility Index Volatility Voicemail: Options question of the week We're talking about crypto derivatives at the @BlockchainVoice Conference. So this week we want to know which crypto product you'd like to see listed on a major venue next? Bitcoin Options Ripple Options/Futures Ether Options/Futures Litecoin Options/Futures Listener questions and comments Comment from Vixologist: VolTwits should listen to @ScottNations on latest installment of Volatility Views from @Options https://tinyurl.com/yb9uebww Scott talks about the alt volatility measures he has developed. Comment from Middling Radical: I have his thinkorswim indices up but confess I find the VIX complex and certain ratios just as helpful. Comment from FearMerchant: I have them on my screen and I was tracking a ratio of VIX/VOLI for a while to see when they diverge/converge. It proved to be of little value. Comment from David Lincoln : They have some good people on that show....... ;) Comment from FContangotrader: VIX at 12.28 and the market at ATH says everyone are hedged with puts SPX,VVIX over 100 says lot of VIX calls buying as a hedge also, market will break to the upside. Comment from Nathan L.: All these people buying VIX puts have me confused. How low can this vol bear trend really get - maybe 9? So the downside is quite limited. I definitely prefer bull call spreads in this environment with potentially selling OTM puts as a financing tool. Crystal BallL Your prognostication headquarters Last week: Mark L.: 12.25 Mark S.: 11.95 Next week: Mark L.: 11.55 Mark S.: 11.95

Aug 20, 2018 • 1h 3min
Volatility Views 318: Exploring VIX Competitors with NationsShares
Volatility Review, featuring special guest Scott Nations, CNBC Contributor & Creator of VolDex. He discusses: An update on SkewDex/VolDex. Will Nasdaq list it soon? Does the current debate over VIX manipulation create an opportunity for VolDex, or does it muddy the waters for all volatility products? Is he hearing more clients and customers who are interested in a skew-less VIX? A look back at the week from a volatility perspective We 've had a volatility whipsaw recently - we 're up, then we 're down. VIX Cash - 13, slightly up from last week. VVIX - 103.5, higher than last week. VIX Options - ADV: 451k, VIX call/put: 2.9/1, Total 8.79m (6.56m Calls, 2.22m Puts) VXX - 30.25, slightly higher than last week. Volatility Voicemail: Listeners weigh in Question from B Bort - Why does skew exist in VIX options? Question from Lisl - I looked at VXX Jan 10 puts then ended up moving up the chain to the 20s. Got some ranging from $.65-$.82. So a little bit more but I think my odds are better. Although I could get 60-80 of the other puts for every one of these. Do you hate? Volatility flash poll: Play along with the Volatility Views crew and make your own guess for the Crystal Ball segment. Where will VIX be at 1pm Central on Friday (aka the end of the show). 12.5-12.99 13-13.49 13.5-13.99 14-14.5 Crystal Ball: Your prognostication headquarters Last week: Mark L. - 12.25 Andrew - 11.01 Guest - 13.05 This week: Mark L. - 12.25 Mark S. - 11.95

Aug 13, 2018 • 1h 3min
Volatility Views 317: Return of Dr. VIX
Volatility Review with very special guest co-host Russell Rhoads, Head of Derivatives Research at the Tabb Group. Volatility and selloffs return briefly during earning season. VIX Cash - 11.83, down slightly from last week. VVIX - 88, unchanged from last week. VIX Options - ADV: 440k, VIX call/put: 3/1, Total 7.95m (5.96m Calls, 1.99m Puts) VXX - 28.5, 2 points lower than last week. Volatility options question of the week: VXX has finally broken through the 30 handle. Many of you are fascinated with the ongoing saga of the VXX Jan 10 Puts. OI is over 200k and thousands continue to trade for $.01. Our question: Would you trade these puts? 57% - Yes: Buy for $.01 14% - Yes: Sell for $.01 23% - No. It's Just Gambling 6% - I have enough VXX Puts Volatility Voicemail: Listeners have their say Question from VolBug - When it's all said and done, is the bottom line that all inverse VIX products, whether short term or mid-term, can be subject to an acceleration event like SVXY given a high enough spike in the VIX? Thanks! Question from LL09 - Are you guys still trading these things? Saw 1k go up yesterday. Was that meatball? Comment from LVAC2 - Etrade wants to charge me $159.95 to buy 200 of those VXX Jan 10 puts. That's highway robbery! Crystal Ball: Getting our prognosticating on Last week: Mark L. -11.45 Mark S. -12.76 Guest - 12.05 This week: Mark L. -12.25 Andrew -11.01 Russell - 13.05

Aug 6, 2018 • 1h 1min
Volatility Views 316: So Much Love for VXX Puts
Volatility Review: A review of the week from a volatility point of view, featuring guest co-host David Lincoln of The Short Vol Show. VIX Cash - 11.83, down slightly from last week. VVIX - 88, three-points lower than last week. VIX Options - ADV: 440k, VIX call/put: 2.9/1, Total 6.44m (4.79m Calls, 1.64m Puts) VXX - 30.5, half a point lower than last week. Earnings Volatility: Apple, Tesla, Activision/Blizzard, Shake Shack, Blue Apron, Go Pro and Cboe Volatility Voicemail: Listners take over Options question of the week: Earnings season is still in full swing. Which names will dominate your #Options trading this week? 46% - Apple, $AAPL 40% - Tesla, $TSLA 8% - GoPro, $GPRO 6% - CBOE, $CBOE Listener questions and comments: Question from Nils - You guys buying any more of those VXX puts? Question from Roxy -Explain to me again how buying thousands of worthless January puts in VXX is a good trade? Question from Elan - My broker doesn't list the $VIX futures alongside the options. It's damn confusing! Why don't they all just post them so I can see what I'm trading my options on? Instead I have to pull up a separate platform with the futures quotes so I can make sense of it all. Crystal Ball: Wild and reckless prognostication Last week: Mark L. -12.45 Andrew -13.25 This week: Mark L. -11.45 Mark S. -12.76 David - 12.05

Jul 30, 2018 • 1h 1min
Volatility Views 315: VIX Worm Turns, Plus FB, AMZN and More
Volatility Review: A look back at the week from a volatility perspective Trump threatens $500B more tariffs, the market still shrugs. VIX Cash - 12.14 VVIX - 91, nine points lower than last week. VIX Options - ADV: 460k, VIX call/put: 3.1/1, Total 6.44m (4.79m Calls, 1.64m Puts) VXX - 30.5, ADV: 248k, Total 2.49m (1.20m Calls, 1.30m Puts) Earnings: Monday - Google Tuesday - AT&T, Verizon Wednesday - UPS, Boeing, Coca Cola, GM, FB, PayPal, Qualcomm Thursday - Amazon, McDonalds, Comcast, Starbucks, Nokia Friday - Twitter, Merck Volatility Voicemail: Listener questions and comments? Question from Vizinator - Are there $VXX equivalents for Nasdaq, Dow and Russell? Comment from Paul F. - Andrew should change his VIX zones to go negative to indicate when VIX is in drawdown mode. Also, shame on him for nickeling Longo on Crystal Ball. He should lose just for that. Question from Dawiz - Gun to head, best VIX options strategy? No dawdling. Top of your head. Crystal Ball: Your prognostication headquarters Last week's guesses: Mark L. - 12.23 Andrew - 12.22 This week's guesses: Mark L. - 12.45 Andrew - 13.25

Jul 23, 2018 • 60min
Volatility Views 314: Talking VIX and VXX; plus NFLX and MSFT Volatility
Volatility Review: A look back at the week from a volatility perspective More trade war! Trump threatens $500B more tariffs, the market shrugs. VIX Cash - 12.50 VVIX - 100 VIX Options - ADV: 460k, VIX call/put: 3.1/1, Total 5.42m (4.09m Calls, 1.34m Puts) VXX - 31, ADV: 255k Earnings: Netflix and Microsoft Volatility Voicemail: Listeners have their say QOTW: Trading Options during earnings season can be challenging. Some live for it while others avoid it. Do you hold Options positions through Earnings announcements? If so, what is your approach? Or do you prefer to trade just before/after the event? Or is it all too risky? 28% - Yes, Short Premium 20% - Yes, Long Premium 25% - No, Too Risky 27% - I trade around the event QOTW, part deux: Yup it's earnings season once again. Options traders are gearing up for a busy season. Which names do you think will dominate your options trading this season? NFLX AMZN TSLA GOOGL Listener questions and comments: Question from BigDawg - Are there any of the proprietary vol indicators out there that you guys follow regularly? Question from Lil Vig - Is VXX the greatest trading vehicle ever created? So much sweet erosion. Crystal Ball: Your prognostication headquarters Last week: Mark L. -12.20 Andrew -12.25 Guest - 11.99 Next week: Mark L. - 12.23 Andrew - 12.22

Jul 16, 2018 • 1h 2min
Volatility Views 313: Talking Short Volatility
Volatility Review: Today's guest is David Lincoln, ex-CBOE Market Maker and Host of The Short Vol Show on YouTube. A look back at the week from a volatility perspective: What trade war? The market has rallied almost non-stop post Trump trade war VIX Cash - 12.50, 1.25 point lower than last week. VVIX - 101, almost unchanged from last week. VIX Option - ADV: 496k, VIX call/put: 2.8/1, Total 7.89m (5.82m Calls, 2.07m Puts) Risk reversals keep popping up. VXX - 31.6, 3 points lower than last week. VIX ETF love affair endures as volatility falls Volatility Voicemail: Options question of the week, part one. Traders generally fade volatility going into holidays (today notwithstanding). What's your favorite vehicle when you want to wager on the dark side of volatility? Short-term or Long-term - that's up to you. 27% - Short VIX Futures 17% - Long $VIX Puts/Spread 33% - Long $VXX Puts/Spread 23% - Short $VIX Calls/Spreads Options question of the week, part two. Trading options during earnings season can be challenging. Some live for it while others avoid it. Do you hold options positions through earnings announcements? If so, what is your approach? Or do you prefer to trade just before/after the event? Or is it all too risky? Yes, Short Premium Yes, Long Premium No, Too Risky I trade around the event Listener questions and comments: Question from Vixland -Why would these puts gain value? $VXX never crashes down. Please explain. Love the shows. KEEP IT UP! Comment from Beachlot - With on the story from Bloomberg last week. They should be embarrassed writing a story on a 70k vol trade. Question from BT Burg - What is the best way to trade these inverse VIX ETFs going forward? If I'm long XIV does it make sense to always have some VIX calls in my back pocket just in case? Doesn't that get expensive really quick? What about spy puts? Or should I just have puts on the inverse ETF in case the counterparties get cold feet? Crystal Ball: Wild and reckless prognostication Last week: Mark L. -12.50 Mark S. -12.90 Guest -13.63 This week: Mark L. - 12.20 Andrew - 12.25 Guest - 11.99

Jul 9, 2018 • 60min
Volatility Views 312: VIX Laughs At Trade Wars
Volatility Review: What trade war? The market rallies despite the fact that the trade war has begun. Market review: VIX Cash - 13.75, 1.25-points lower than last week. VVIX - 103, almost unchanged from last week. VIX Options - ADV: 496K, VIX call/put: 2.7/1, Total 7.04m (5.16m Calls, 1.88m Puts) A lot of VIX risk reversals hitting the tape today. VXX - 34.6,0.5-points lower than last week. Volatility Voicemail: Flash poll Which product or complex will experience the greatest #Volatility going forward as a result of this trade war? Gold? Crude Oil? Equities? Soybeans? Soybeans Gold Crude Oil Equities Options question of the week: Traders generally fade volatility going into holidays (today notwithstanding). What's your favorite vehicle when you want to wager on the dark side of volatility? Short-term or Long-term - that's up to you. Short VIX Futures Long VIX Puts/Spread Long VXX Puts/Spread Short VIX Calls/Spreads Listener questions and comments Question from LVist - Are you guys as surprised as me by VXX's stubbornness? It refuses to break the 30 handle. Question from Casey - Is it me or is the vol space much more boring after VIX/SVXY? Those were my two favs. Seems like there's not much to take their place. What's the new short vol play? Crystal Ball: Your prognostication headquarters Last week: Mark L. -12.55 Mark S. -12.95 This week: Mark L. - 12.50 Mark S. - 12.90 Guest - 13.63