Launched in June 2008, the ELEMENTS S&P Commodity Trends Indicator ETN (LSC) was an immediate hit with retail investors, attracting a considerable volume, offering diversification from an equity-heavy portfolio and even using a long-short approach ...
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As the ETF space continues to evolve and push into new territory, such as strategy-in-a-box ETFs and more actively managed ETFs (e.g., QAI, ALT, PQY, PQZ, GVT, PSR, RWG), it was only a matter of time before a volatility play was added to the pool of ac...
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Further to yesterday’s Leveraged ETFs, Volatility and Range-Bound Markets as well as my take on The Elusive Trading Range from mid-June, I thought I would share a chart I included in last week’s subscriber newsletter. The chart below captures dail...
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I noticed that Direxion, the dean of triple ETFs, has added a handful of tools to their web site recently. These include: Daily/Cumulative Performance Illustrator Tracking Center Recent Volume Tool Volatility Tool Premium/Discount Tool ...
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Since their launch just two months ago, options on the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) have attracted a robust following and have averaged about 20,000 contracts per day. During that period, approximately 2/3 of the VXX options trans...
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With everyone else thinking about double dip recessions, European bank stress tests and the like, my thoughts have wandered to the next U.S. elections, which are barely three months away. While there are a number of key questions that will be strongly...
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While I was out of pocket for a few days, Barclays had the temerity to launch a new VIX ETN. Not only that, but this new volatility product is the first inverse VIX ETN to hit the market. It goes by the formal name of Barclays ETN+ Inverse S&P 500 ...
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Personal and technical issues have conspired to keep this blog quiet for a few days, but that is about to change. Before I get back to regular posting, I wanted to inform Expiring Monthly readers and potential new subscribers that Monday marked the pu...
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Trading in Vivus (VVUS) is halted this morning, as the biotechnology company’s new weight-loss pill, Qnexa, is being reviewed by a panel of experts at the FDA. In many respects biotechnology stocks – particularly those which do not yet have produc...
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From time to time I have highlighted extremely high implied volatility in individual securities such as FAS, IOC, EWZ and the banks that were subject to the stress tests (see links below.) With the recent action in Vivus (VVUS), however, it may be tim...
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