Volatility
Flying with Condors
Alan Grigoletto
In a recent article we discussed how to get long volatility with the Long Option Straddle. In today’s piece we will discuss another less costly way to buy volatility with the Reverse Iron Condor. Condor strategies are named for the narrow-bodied and broad-winged bird that is primarily found in California. When diagramed, the...
Reverse Ratio Call Backspread
Alan Grigoletto
In a previous article, “Bull Call and Bear Put Spreads” investors learned how to construct a simple 1:1 vertical spread. This week we will discuss how a ratio spread can be implemented and the risks and benefits of this strategy. A ratio spread is similar to a vertical spread in that it involves the simultaneous purchase...
Perspective on Trading Options on Natural Resource Companies
Patrick Ceresna
After our interview with Rick Rule on MacroVoices, I was inspired to share my thoughts on options trading on natural resource companies. At the start of the interview Rick pointed out the unusually cyclical nature of resource investing. Rick went on to elaborate: “…during periods of time when mature natural resource...
Risks Stemming from Current Low Volatility Conditions
Patrick Ceresna
Over the last year we have seen an incredible period of low volatility that is arguably building systematic liquidity risks when we enter a period of normalization. These risks were highlighted in the Bank of Canada’s November 2017 Financial System Review. In that review, the BoC discussed the assessment of...
A Quick Guide to Volatility and Options Skew
Alan Grigoletto
In my last article, entitled Understanding Vega, we examined how Vega measures the changes in option pricing relative to changes in implied volatility. In today’s article I will delve a little deeper into volatility and its impact across the options chain. There are actually two types of volatility that option traders need to...
Covered Calls and Gold – A Perfect Match
Hans Albrecht
This is a fairly consistent rule in listed options markets: As assets rise in value, option pricing tends to pull back on a relative basis. As markets push higher, investors are deemed to be less fearful and therefore the cost to insure a portfolio against a market drops. We see this rule routinely play out in the VIXC (the...
Embracing Volatility on a Canadian Disruptor
Jason Ayres
Fewer topics have been more hotly debated in political (and social) circles then the legalization of marijuana. Now despite which direction your moral compass points on this, it’s an industry that is here to stay. In an economic environment where governments continue to look for new ways to get into our pockets, it is no...
Buyers of Options Can Face an Uphill Climb
Hans Albrecht
S&P/TSX 60 (“the Index”) options are generally priced a little too high versus actual market movement. In other words, many buyers of insurance will pay more than ‘fair value’ for options in order to protect against drawdowns and volatile market environments. Based on an ongoing measure of realized volatility, or...
It’s Good to be the Insurer
Hans Albrecht
Option pricing, or insurance, is a relative value product. For instance, a $300 annual premium for $1 million of life insurance coverage for a young, healthy individual is reasonable. However, that same $300 price tag to insure a 65 year-old smoker with high blood pressure is way too cheap. When it comes to life...
Understanding Volatility Exchange Traded Products
Hans Albrecht
Using volatility ETPs is a pure play way to target volatility for your portfolio – no strike risk to worry about. But make sure you understand the key points below very well before wading in… ——————— I’m often asked about long volatility exchange traded products (ETPs) –...
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