Friday 22 March 2013

Volatility slips into the weekend

With the main indexes managing to close the week with moderate gains, the VIX slipped lower into the weekend, closing -3% @ 13.57. On a weekly basis, the VIX climbed a rather impressive 20%, but then it started from last weeks bizarrely low close of 11.30.


VIX'60min



VIX'daily3



VIX'weekly


Summary

First, dealing with the very near term. If my index count/outlook is correct, and we see the sp'1570s next week, then I'd expect VIX to briefly slip back into the 11s.

We are seeing some interesting little upside spikes in recent weeks, but so far...none of them are able to hold.


The next big VIX wave?

Equity doomer bears should be seeking a weekly VIX close above the 200 weekly MA, currently @ 21.46, but frankly, that looks extremely difficult any time soon.

Indeed, even if the main market declines to the sp'1470s - which is my baseline primary target for April/May, its possible we might only see the VIX max out at the key 20 threshold.


Fed still keeping a lid on volatility

Considering the QE-POMO is set to continue for at least another few months, its going to be difficult to see any sustained multi-week ramp in the VIX.

Last summers VIX high in the 27s sure seems a long way up...and historically speaking, even VIX in the upper 20s is nothing to get excited about.

A little more later..on the indexes.