Should I add the VIX to my watchlist?

What is the VIX

VIX stands for Volatility Index. The VIX looks to measure the level of fear and stress within the market. As a rule, when the VIX is high stocks will fall. When the VIX is low, stocks are normally on the rise. It is commonly referred to as the Fear Gauge.

Produced by the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), it measures the 30-day expected volatility derived from S&P500 Call and PUT options (US500).

A PUT option is the right to buy a stock at an agreed price and time. A CALL option is the right to sell a stock at an agreed price and time. When PUT options outweigh Call options, this is regarded as indication investors are nervous.

Inverse relationship to the SP500

Figure 1 Trading View VIX SP500 overlay

For most of the time, the VIX index will move inversely to the SP500. It should be noted that this is not always the case.

How can the VIX help with my analysis

The last peak of the VIX index was in January 2020 with a reading of 53.54. On the 5^th of January 2022, WHO (World Health Organization) published their first Disease Outbreak News on the COVID-19 virus. We should remember that the VIX is a 30-day forward indicator.

Figure 2 Trading View VIX 2020 peak

From the 10^{th of} February 2022 the SP500 (US500) declined over 30%. The VIX Fear Gauge ‘predicting’ the selloff.

Figure 3 Trading View SP500 selloff February 2020

Combining technical analysis with the VIX

Noting a high VIX reading with a potential bottoming formation in the SP500 could be a great opportunity to explore.

Can I trade the VIX directly  

You cannot trade the VIX directly through the Chicago Board Options Exchange. However, spread betting brokers offer derivatives from the underlying product allowing traders to speculate if they believe the index is too high or not high enough. Pepperstoneoffers trading on the index.