V. 26:10 (51): Q&A by Don Bright
Product Description
Q&A by Don Bright
IS DOWNSIDE VOLATILITY UP? Did you see any increase in downside volatility after the uptick rule was removed last year? Were intraday short trades becoming more profitable without the cushion of an uptick rule? And what’s your sense of how this new ruling might affect short strategies if it is broadened to more stocks?
I trade the Russell 2000 almost exclusively short and am a little concerned about how any regulations that involve short sales may affect the movement of indexes.—lindq
Actually, it’s kind of interesting. Summer 2007 showed a big move in the volatility index (VIX) that was actually a thorn in the side of many brokerages and clearing firms. The September contract was being shorted at (near) all-time highs, while traders were hedging with January contracts. Well, the January contracts didn’t move as expected, causing a major ripple within the industry. Many firms stopped their traders from engaging in calendar spreads on the VIX.
And interestingly, the first couple of months without the uptick rule saw a big rise in the overall market. Our traders (in correlated pairs groups) were thrilled by not having to wait for upticks, but since we are hedged, I don’t feel we had any effect on the overall market movement. We did see an increase in overall pairs and merger volume during the last 12 months.
IS DOWNSIDE VOLATILITY UP? Did you see any increase in downside volatility after the uptick rule was removed last year? Were intraday short trades becoming more profitable without the cushion of an uptick rule? And what’s your sense of how this new ruling might affect short strategies if it is broadened to more stocks?
I trade the Russell 2000 almost exclusively short and am a little concerned about how any regulations that involve short sales may affect the movement of indexes.—lindq
Actually, it’s kind of interesting. Summer 2007 showed a big move in the volatility index (VIX) that was actually a thorn in the side of many brokerages and clearing firms. The September contract was being shorted at (near) all-time highs, while traders were hedging with January contracts. Well, the January contracts didn’t move as expected, causing a major ripple within the industry. Many firms stopped their traders from engaging in calendar spreads on the VIX.
And interestingly, the first couple of months without the uptick rule saw a big rise in the overall market. Our traders (in correlated pairs groups) were thrilled by not having to wait for upticks, but since we are hedged, I don’t feel we had any effect on the overall market movement. We did see an increase in overall pairs and merger volume during the last 12 months.
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