Volatility products are very complicated instruments. They don’t derive their price based on traditional supply and demand dynamics, but instead they are calculated based on the fluctuating values of the VIX futures term structure. Sometimes the explanations for why certain strategies work can get a bit too technical, so I thought I’d give my best attempt to explain as simply as I can, why our strategy works and why it will continue to outperform in any market environment.
Let’s divide the S&P 500 market environment into three separate pieces and talk about each one:
Environment 1) Bull market
Stocks are moving higher
Volatility is low
VIX futures term structure is in contango
In bull markets when stocks are moving higher, we buy the volatility product XIV which significantly outperforms the S&P 500, and as a result we can beat the market during good times.
Environment 2) Bear market
Stocks are moving lower
Volatility is high
VIX futures term structure is in backwardation
In bear markets stocks decline, sometimes rapidly and again we don’t ever hold the S&P 500. Instead we hold an inverse volatility product called VXX that tends to go up when stocks go down. This means we can also beat the market in bad times.
Environment 3) Neutral or flat markets
Stocks are chopping around but staying reasonably range bound
Volatility is neutral
VIX futures term structure is marginally in contango
This is the market environment that separates our strategy from our competitors. The majority of traders will continue taking trades based on the signals they track, even though the signals might be very close to the breakpoints.
For us we simply don’t trade when the signals are ambiguous. We’ve set a range of middle ground signals that are just ignored and as a result our fund spends over 50% of the time in cash. We ONLY take trades that we have high conviction in.
As they say though the proof is in the pudding. We’ve crushed the S&P 500 every year and will continue to do so.
* Include all trade fees, all ETF holding fees, and are adjusted for dividends
XIV beats the S&P in good times, VXX profits during market declines, and we don’t trade ambiguous middle ground signals so we’re safely in cash. This strategy will be successful as long as there is market volatility and a risk premium, which is a product of human nature and isn’t going anywhere.
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* All information, analysis, and articles on this site are provided for informational purposes only. Nothing herein should be interested as personalized investment advice as I make no recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any securities or positions. I'm making this website available "as is" with no warranty or guarantees of its accuracy, completeness, or current's. If you rely on this website or any of the information contained, you do so entirely at your own risk. I do not hold myself out as a financial advisor and nothing herein is a solicitation for any fund or securities mentioned. Although I may answer general questions about the information herein, I'm not licensed or registered under security laws to address your personal investment situation. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any and all financial decisions are the sole responsibility of you the individual.