VIX-Trading. What is the best way to make money?

The VIX future is not yet very liquid.

I am thinking to use the future as a protection against upmoves.
But at the moment a stop loss in the call might be better...
 

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Yesterday I decided to write another 2 Call options.

VIX JUN07 17 C (100) 2007-05-17
-2 0.6500

Received Money $130.00 -$1.50 commission


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05/17/07 Settlement values

C17/6 -128.06
C16/6 -153.05
P13/6 - 88.67
Total -369.78

Requested margin is 1022.04
VIX June future 14.16
VIX Cash 13.51; Diff. 0.65 points

Expiration date 06/20/07.
VIX Cash and VIX Settlement price can differ 0.8 - 1.2 points.
VIX Cash index is just an indication of possible settlement.
That's what I read today on the CBOE website.

http://www.cboe.com/micro/vix/VIXoptionsFAQ.aspx
 

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Attached graphics shows how the VIX vola (historical 30 days and implied) has chanced over a year.

Upper band 125+
Lower band 75-

Interesting to see is also the pick up in volume. VIX options are very good tradable in my experience (other than VIX futures, yet).
 

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artes

The method for me is to write options on VIX with the best expected performance to expiration and positive account management.

The system is to write Puts every month and compound the gains.

In addition I decided to write Calls every month and compound the gains.

Since the VIX option market becomes so liquid I will put on stops on my positions as well.

The tactics is to see if the high vola can be used in intra-day trading decisions as well. For example for the Qs the first hour vola is priced higher into the options and they get cheaper during the day. Backtesting has to prove that.

I think that backtesting has to be done by everyone personnally. Just grab a spreadsheet and play with historical values.
Another important thing is position sizing and money management - as we all know.

Finally there is no way around to act. Writing 1 put cost me about $250 margin (depends on broker) and I've got some gain so far.
 
Attached I've posted a sheet to show how I evaluate VIX puts.

From that analysis (for me) the VIX Put July 13 seems to be attractive.
 

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Attached my analysis for the VIX calls.

For me the Call July 16 looks attractive to be sold with a stop in place.

C 16/7 1.35
possible stop loss 2.50 (depending on individual setting)

Example for selling 1 contract:

Get $135 by selling (before commission)
Pay $250 (if no slippage, gaps, etc.)

Loss $115 (min. after stopped out)
Win if VIX stays below 16 at expiration and stop loss is not hit is $135 (minus commission).

For taking no more than 2% risk per position on your account size your account size should be $5.750.
 

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