Quote from CharlesXT:
Niha,
Can you recommend a good book that discusses use of the VIX and perhaps the other breadth indicators? Thanks also for the link to the CBOE, that was very informative and to the point.
CharlesXT,
I've never read any books specifically about the VIX nor with any chapters specific about the VIX.
After you posted your question...I used Google search engine and I keep seeing the books by
Laurence A. Connors
1. Trading Connors VIX Reversals
2. Connors On Advanced Trading Strategies
I'm not recommending the above books...they are just the only books I could find via Google that seems to be devoted to the subject VIX.
Maybe your local library has a copy or can get a copy as an inter-library loan.
I've already used ET's reviews on books and didn't find anything there about the above books...
http://www.elitetrader.com/bo/index.cfm
Here's my suggestion if the VIX or any other market breadth index merits further investigation...
Print out intraday charts going back about 3 months. If you don't have historical intraday charts...start printing today for the next 3 months...
Do the same via whatever your trading...put those charts side by side with the charts of the VIX and do a comparison...
Put your favorite indicators on the VIX and try others...
You'll start seeing something that merits further investigation and possible testing via a realtime simulator as you continue learning about the VIX.
(Note: Do this type of research via the printed out charts and not via studying the charts on your computer...you'll be less likely to miss something)
Takes time but will be worth it because whatever you discover will be via your own trade methodology and not via someone's else.
If you don't have that time nor the energy to study the VIX...you may have to purchase those above books (get them from the library if possible) or subscribe to a website that offers info about it...
I believe TradingMarkets.com does only because its what also pops up in the search engine about the VIX.
Without a doubt...there are reliable trade signals via market breadth indexes.
I've only met one trader that had his entire methodology based on signals from the VIX and he no longer trades part-time because he's now a partner at some law firm...
he did well as a part-time trader.
Good luck with the VIX...
its one of those hidden gems that surprises me I don't see a lot of traders using it.
No secrets in trading...just the obvious that many traders either ignore or see as unreliable via giving a half-hearted effort in using something.
NihabaAshi