Tricks for Reading the VIXUnderstanding VIX Generally
VIX measures the pricing of at-the-money options on the S&P 500 SP:SPX FOREXCOM:SPXUSD where such options have about 30 days until expiration. Higher VIX readings mean that demand for at-the-money options on SPX has risen through hedging or bearish positioning (usually both)—meaning that fear and uncertainty has arisen along with expectations of greater price movement (price declines) and volatility.
In essence VIX tends to jump during major sell-offs in the S&P 500 and other global equity indices, and it also tends to fall back during long, gradual rallies. Its historic average is about 20. The average of all VIX closing numbers is about 19.4.
Further, a VIX reading at 27–28 is at the upper end of one standard deviation from its mean. At the height of the 2008 recession, VIX peaked around 89.5 (intraday) and closed just above 80 several times. In March 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, it surged to about 82.
During the dot-com market from 1997-2000, the VIX held above its historical average (above 20) even though equity markets continued to drive higher for years. This was not a typical period for the relationship between VIX and markets with above average VIX readings coinciding with higher S&P 500 returns (33.1% in 1997, 28.3% in 1998, 20.9% in 1999).
Understanding VIX Readings
In General, High VIX Readings Help Spot Trading Lows or Lasting Market Bottoms
VIX helps spot market bottoms. Some market experts assert that VIX is a measure of stress in the system, a measure of worry and fear as defined by various formulas derived from SPX puts and calls. Readings above 40 on the VIX tend to signal pure panic and indicate either an interim low (e.g., a temporary trading low followed by a bear rally) or a final bottom for a bear market or correction.
The VIX measures implied volatility from a basket of at-the-money front-month SPX options. Ordinarily, VIX and SPX are supposed to head in opposite directions , meaning VIX climbs (or remains elevated) as SPX falls, and VIX falls (or remains low) as SPX rises. At least some other global indices that correlate to some extent with SPX would typically head in the same direction as SPX, but since VIX is derived from SPX derivatives (options), SPX will be discussed primarily.
So the ordinary relationship between VIX and SPX is inverse as shown in the example on the main chart above for the 2000-2002 bear market. Lower SPX lows often coincide with even higher VIX highs.
In the chart below, note how the VIX and SPX held to their usual inverse relationship during the 1998 SPX correction, which involving a decline of about -22% from the pre-correction high. As the market fell, the VIX continued to rise. Each SPX interim low was marked by a higher VIX high. Importantly, each VIX high was a "lower high" relative to the final VIX high that coincided with the final SPX low on October 8, 1998.
Supplementary Chart 1: SPX 1998 Correction Shows Usual Relationship between VIX and SPX
Divergences from the Usual Inverse Relationship between VIX and SPX May Distinguish Lasting Market Bottoms from Temporary Trading Lows
But divergences from the usual inverse relationship between VIX and SPX can sometimes appear, and they may signal a lasting market bottom as distinguished from a temporary trading low . In particular, VIX will start to diverge from the usual pattern of higher VIX highs that coincide with lower VIX lows, meaning that SPX will make a new low but VIX will make a lower high rather than a new and higher high. This can be a helpful trick to understanding how VIX behaves at some major bear market bottoms and corrections.
The primary chart above shows an excellent example from the 2000-2002 bear market. Consider the penultimate interim SPX low in July 2002. The highest VIX close of the entire bear market printed at 48.46 the day before this major interim low on July 24, 2002. (On the actual day of this interim low, VIX fell slightly to close at 39.86).
Corrections also sometimes show this divergence from the usual SPX-VIX relationship. The chart below shows the 1990 correction in SPX where this equity market fell about -20%. Note the divergence between the major interim low in August 1990 and the final correction low in September 1990.
Supplementary Chart 2: SPX 1990 Correction Shows Divergence from the Usual Inverse Relationship between VIX and SPX
Although not shown in an additional chart, the bear market of 2008-2009 following the Great Financial Crisis contains another useful case study. During this bear market, the VIX peaked with closing highs above 80 in October 2008 and an intraday high of 89.53 on October 24, 2008. These were the highest VIX readings of the entire bear market occurring months before the final bear-market low. A VIX divergence appeared at the final bear-market low—VIX made a lower high of 49.33 and an intraday high of 51.90 on March 6, 2009. This is similar to the VIX divergence that was seen in the final stages of the 2000-2002 bear market (shown in the chart above).
Broader Application of VIX-SPX Divergences
This phenomenon of VIX and SPX diverging from their usual inverse relationship also may be stated more broadly as follows: when the VIX moves in tandem with the S&P 500, it’s a usually a sign that the trend may reverse . This occurs whenever VIX and SPX fall together or whenever they rise together.
When the VIX and the S&P are both going down in tandem, this could present a good long-term buy signal especially when combined with other technical or fundamental evidence of a bottom.
Furthermore this divergence from the usual inverse relationship can appear at market peaks as well. For example, when the market rallies higher, but the VIX remains elevated (it rises, does not decline significantly, and holds support), this indicates the rally could soon fail. A rally with elevated VIX shows persistently higher implied volatility / fear—increased demand for 30-day options based on expected volatility / demand for option hedges as downside insurance. This could be a sign the rally is fleeting.
