Record Short VIX Positioning Reflects a Ton of Fear Elsewhere
- Shares outstanding in long-volatility ETPs are at record highs
- Sheer size of VIX short contracts still shy of 2019 peak
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Bearish bets on stock volatility are close to a record high, raising investor concern that the market is ripe for turmoil. There’s a more benign explanation.
Futures linked to the measure of S&P 500’s implied volatility, known as the “fear gauge”, tend to move inversely to equities. The net non-commercial position -- long contracts outstanding less short positions -- sank to minus 187,948 last week, its lowest level ever.