#TSOT -Alternative Strats #SP500 Index #VIXA long call option in the VIX has been over-crowded for sometime, instead taking a queue with the VIM2017 for June futures was more logical as it has also been over-due for a correction before June'17 expires by the end of the 2nd quarter trading. The motivation has been identified to be a technical Island formation and the fact that a third price swing above 18.00 would be an attempt in line spread over a defined period of time.
An alternative Plan B and an arbitrage Hedge is likewise in the making to ensure gains made over the carry-over period from last 4th quarter of 2016 would be protected in the event that such declines would continue to do so unexpectedly. Since we have called the price @2200-2500 for the SP500 Index, which is @2269 to this writing. In the event of a turn around, timing a relatively increase in market volatility will justify this strategic move. This would reflect only a price reversal not necessarily a trend reversal as prices are still well within a major decline.
Hedging
BOJ: JPY V USD, EUR, GBP - WHAT THE OPTION MARKET IS TELLING US50 Delta ATM Volatilities:
USDJPY -
- $Yen has an ATM implied volatility curve of 55.95%mrkt 24.08%1wk 18.31%2wk 14.12%1m
- Obviously we are aggressively steeper in the front end, with BOJ tomorrow and JPY MOF Fiscal Package details coming next week providing heightened vol for the 1day and 1wk vols - naturally we then see the curve tail off as the event vol fades.
GBPJPY -
- £Yen has an ATM implied volatility curve of 58.66%mrkt 25.93%1wk 23.02%2wk 18.30%1m
- The same can be said about sterling yens ATM curve, adding that it is steeper accross the tenors as the recently heightened GBP risk/ BOE event vol is priced into the 1wks and 2wks greater relatively vs $yen, with 1ms also outperforming $Yen as the perceived GBP risk/ vol post-brexit carries higher vs the USD.
EURJPY -
- EUROYEN has an ATM implied volatility curve of 49.42%mrkt 22.82%1wk 18.03%2wk 14.23%1m
- EUROYEN mirrors $yen from 1wk-1m as the term structure is very similar for eur vs usd (no significant event vol expected). Though we see a notable 6-7vol divergence in the current vol which is expected as $Yen expressions are favourable for BOJ out-performance positionings (USD a firmer based/ more widely traded) and £Yen are favourable for BOJ under-performance structures as BOE next week compunds the attractiveness in the downside of the cross (BOE likely to ease) which in turn increases the demand for £Yen expression on a BOJ no-show.
25Delta Risk Reversals (25d call vol minus 25d put vol - examines the relative demand)
USDJPY -
- $Yen RRs are +3 mrkt, +0.62 1wk, -0.67 2wk, -0.81m
- Interestingly we are seeing a moderate $Yen topside coverage in the front end (e.g. current and 1wks) implying the market is hedging/ positioning for a BOJ Out-performance Surprise (call demand > Put). The RRs are quite small at +1 so i wouldnt say there is a huge consensus on BOJ HIT expectations. Nonetheless calls are likely being purchased to hedge underlying spot short positions in the near term as any $yen/ BOJ topside is expected to not last long and be faded aggressively - which explains the switch to negative RRs after the BOJ/ MOF events have passed.
GBPJPY -
- £Yen RRs are -6 mrkt, -3 1wk, -1.3 2wk, -2.2 1m
- Understandably SterlingYen has a different RR structure as BOJ and BOE predispositions are priced into option structures, rather than just BOJ (as is the case for £yen and euroyen) - so we see a strong put bias, particularly in the front end (current and 1wks) as these cover the BOE and BOJ event vol. Unlike $Yen we see there is a clear trend for BOJ miss/ downside speculation as it is the logical chosen proxy, as a BOJ miss is highly likely to then be compounded over the current and 1wk terms as BOE hit expectations are priced in, accelerating the GBPJPY to the downside and RRs towards the LHS (BOJ miss = yen strength, BOE hit = Streling weakness - aggressive downside). Also put gbpjpy, automatically hedges any BOJ hit/topside risk as 1wk later the BOE is likely to ease so any yen downside arising from a BOJ hit will likely be smoothed somewhat by BOE easing induced GBP selling; thus lessening the negative impact or even turning the position back into the money.