When people ask me how I make money, it’s difficult even to know where to begin. As a seller of UVXY calls, I’m trading a derivative (call options) of a derivative (M1 and M2 VIX futures contracts) of a derivative (S&P index options). The underlying asset, volatility, isn’t tangible like gold or oil, and I’m…
Unlike TVIX, UVXY and VXX are optionable and thus raise the question for the short vol club: Is it better to short shares directly or to take a less direct short position by selling calls? Personal preference will dictate the answer, but for my trading, I’ve been able to surmount the disadvantages of selling calls…
After shedding roughly 540 points in the last 2 trading sessions, the Dow Industrial Average looks to resume its trend upward. The Dow remains up by 5.5% in 2018 even after this week’s selloff, helped by factors such as an expanding U.S. economy, growth in corporate profits, and enthusiasm over recently enacted tax cuts and…
For a second day in a row, U.S. equity futures are pointing to a lower open ahead of yet another busy trading day. While the media headlines certainly centered on the 10-year Treasury yield rising above 2.70% yesterday, the tone and discussion may shift today and in the direction of the State of the Union…
U.S. equity futures are set to open lower ahead of a jam-packed week of data, earnings, Fed announcement on rates and the State of the Union Address. Investors will be listening for any more rhetoric on trade, tensions in Washington and any hints toward a resolution on DACA. The USD is stabilizing Monday, however, the…
VIX, you got some splaining to do! (In my best Ricky Ricardo voice). I’m hearing and seeing a lot of “what the heck is going on with the VIX and VIX-leveraged ETPs” comments in social media lately. What I’m not seeing is a lot of recognition for prudent institutional investing that has found this investor…
After hearing about the tremendous returns Seth Golden has earned year after year, I felt that my own annual returns, which were already good, could be much better if I joined in the short volatility product trade. This meant taking short positions (or selling calls, buying puts, etc.) on UVXY/VXX/TVIX/VIXY/etc. and/or taking long positions on…
The U.S. Dollar has made headlines all week and came under pressure earlier in the week after Steve Mnuchin indicated a weak dollar was ideal for the U.S. economy. Shortly thereafter, President Trump noted that those comments were taken out of context and that he appreciated a strengthening USD. The USD briefly rebounded on President…
Here’s a chart you soon won’t forget. The decline of the USD has been yet another reason supporting equity prices of late. The dollar is suffering another selloff on Wednesday with a key dollar index falling to a three-year low after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a weaker greenback is good for trade. The…
