Volatility Views 80: The Listeners Take Over

Volatility Views 80: The Listeners Take Over Volatility Review: NASDAQ realized vol hits 11.33, a continued downtrend not only in NASDAQ, but also S&P vol. The Russell is garnering premium over everything else.  Listener Mail: Our listeners are keeping us busy with questions. Question from JoJo - I love the show! Have you thought about bringing on a CTA? Question from Justin Deveroe - Can you walk me through a few potential use-cases for a NASDAQ vol contract? I like the show and I'm intrigued by the idea, I'm just not sure how to trade a product like that. Question from Little Tim - Why do you think GLD is "underperforming" right now from a volatility perspective? SLV seems to be stealing all of the thunder in the volatility realm these days.Question from Theodore Grey - I enjoyed your recent shows featuring financial advisors, but I found the reticence of many advisors to even implement basic hedges very troubling. Why do you think so many advisors and asset managers lack even basic knowledge of volatility or how to hedge a portfolio with options? Question from Allie, Anchorage, AK - I have about $25,000 in my trading account. I've learned a lot about the realized vs. implied discrepancy by listening to this program, and I would like to capture that in my own trading. Unfortunately delta neutral trading is pretty much out of the question with my account balance. What do you recommend for someone like me who would like to practice what you guys preach, but doesn't have access to an institutional level account? I'm sure many of your listeners are in a similar situation. Question from Monster6 - Correlation is a growing concern across asset classes; it's all but impossible to diversify away risk in this marketplace. Would you guys advise your listeners that a volatility/derivative component is the best way to truly hedge/protect a portfolio these days? If so, which would you recommend? The Crystal Ball: Perhaps the Russell will be our salvation for a little action over the weekend. Looking for price increases in all the major indexes in the future.