The ES is the "locomotive" and the VIX is the "caboose".....most of the time. Consider using the ES to take a contrary outright position in the VIX. :eek:
That's they way I see it as well. I'm using a 5 ES / 12 VM ratio....today the first attempt and I'm wondering about my ratio...on a tic per tic basis i'm $60 per side now, but es tick soo much more, it's opening up a lot of opportunity.
A market neutral trade is a play on variance. There isn't any edge in the trade currently as VIX front month futures are at a discount of 200bp or so, noise.