Quantitative Researcher, MRM Research

Nico Rosti

Quantitative Researcher

MRM Research

Quantitative Research

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">HSI INDEX</a> has been defying gravity, recently. It is up more than 30% from its most recent low.</li>
<li>In our previous, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hsi-to-find-strong-support-between-18-8k-and-17-5k-long-term-uptrend-set-to-restart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jan. 11th insight</a> we highlighted very precisely the support zone (18.8k-17.5k) from where the index was poised to resume its rally (the bottom was printed at 18671).</li>
<li>
Our models are currently indicating a very overbought condition. Leveraging the information relayed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/gaudenz-schneider" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:66501" rel="noopener">Gaudenz Schneider</a> in a recent insight, we think a "HSI PUT" could make sense here. </li>
</ul>


The HSI INDEX has been defying gravity, recently. It is up more than 30% from its most recent low.
In our previous, Jan. 11th insight we highlighted very precisely the support zone (18.8k-17.5k) from where the index was poised to resume its rally (the bottom was printed at 18671).

Our models are currently indicating a very overbought condition. Leveraging the information relayed by Gaudenz Schneider in a recent insight, we think a "HSI PUT" could make sense here. 


The HSI PUT: Hedging Strategies for an Overextended Rally

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> put options show concentrated positioning at the 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels.</li>
<li>Traders continue to establish new positions approximately 15%-20% below current market levels, suggesting protection against major market corrections rather than minor pullbacks. The focus is on near-term risk.</li>
<li>Implied volatility has remained stable at 25-30% over the past two weeks, consistent with a broadly sideways movement in the index itself.</li>
</ul>



Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) put options show concentrated positioning at the 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels.
Traders continue to establish new positions approximately 15%-20% below current market levels, suggesting protection against major market corrections rather than minor pullbacks. The focus is on near-term risk.
Implied volatility has remained stable at 25-30% over the past two weeks, consistent with a broadly sideways movement in the index itself.


Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in PUT Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

<ul>
<li>Market traders of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> call options maintain significant holdings in lower strikes, with notable concentration at the 20,000 strike level.</li>
<li>Open interest data reveals significant increase in open interest for 25,000 and 26,000 strike calls since late February, reflecting active trading as traders built new positions.</li>
<li>Despite increased trading activity and changes in market positioning, implied volatility has remained stable at 25-30% over the past two weeks, reflecting a consistent market sentiment.</li>
</ul>


Market traders of Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) call options maintain significant holdings in lower strikes, with notable concentration at the 20,000 strike level.
Open interest data reveals significant increase in open interest for 25,000 and 26,000 strike calls since late February, reflecting active trading as traders built new positions.
Despite increased trading activity and changes in market positioning, implied volatility has remained stable at 25-30% over the past two weeks, reflecting a consistent market sentiment.


Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in CALL Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist, Clifton Derivatives

John Ley

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist

Clifton Derivatives

Independent derivative and volatility research firm focusing on events/catalysts, earnings, relative value and cross asset volatility strategies.

<ul>
<li>Major markets are in a waiting game with vols not monetizing yet implied holding up with US FOMC and the election this week. </li>
<li>Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) , Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX EQUITY) and Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) have elevated implied vols vs average historical observations for November.</li>
<li>November typically sees strong price performance, particularly in the 3rd week, leading to softer historic vols in that time frame. </li>
</ul>


Major markets are in a waiting game with vols not monetizing yet implied holding up with US FOMC and the election this week. 
Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) , Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX EQUITY) and Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) have elevated implied vols vs average historical observations for November.
November typically sees strong price performance, particularly in the 3rd week, leading to softer historic vols in that time frame. 


EQD | Asia November Vol Roadmap - The Waiting Game

<ul>
<li>Broad based weakness, less than ½ of optionable stocks were up on the week with the average size of losses larger than average size of gains.</li>
<li>Total single stock Put option volume the highest in the past 4 months pushing the Put/Call ratio to a local extreme. </li>
<li>Laggards from the rally holding on, rally leaders broadly weak.</li>
</ul>


Broad based weakness, less than ½ of optionable stocks were up on the week with the average size of losses larger than average size of gains.
Total single stock Put option volume the highest in the past 4 months pushing the Put/Call ratio to a local extreme. 
Laggards from the rally holding on, rally leaders broadly weak.


Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (Feb 24 – 28): Broad Deterioration

Hong Kong

The Hang Seng Index is a free-float capitalization-weighted index of a selection of companies from the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. The components of the index are divided into four subindices: Commerce and Industry, Finance, Utilities, and Properties. The index was developed with a base level of 100 as of July 31, 1964.

Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)

The HSI PUT: Hedging Strategies for an Overextended Rally

The HSI Index is defying gravity, up over 30% from its recent lows, but our models suggest it is very overbought, indicating a potential...

Nico Rosti

Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in PUT Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

Traders are heavily positioned in Hang Seng Index put options at 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels, indicating protection against major market...

Gaudenz Schneider

Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in CALL Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

Traders of Hang Seng Index call options maintain significant holdings at lower strikes. Increased interest in 25,000 and 26,000 strikes

Gaudenz Schneider

EQD | Asia November Vol Roadmap - The Waiting Game

Major markets are not monetizing, with US FOMC and election impacting implied vols. Hang Seng, Shanghai Shenzhen, and Nikkei 225 have elevated...

John Ley

Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (Feb 24 – 28): Broad Deterioration

The market saw broad weakness with less than half of optionable stocks up for the week. Put option volumes at 4-month high, pushing Put/Call ratio...

John Ley

The HSI PUT: Hedging Strategies for an Overextended Rally

​The HSI Index is defying gravity, up over 30% from its recent lows, but our models suggest it is very overbought, indicating a potential...

Nico Rosti

Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in PUT Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

​Traders are heavily positioned in Hang Seng Index put options at 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels, indicating protection against major market...

Gaudenz Schneider

Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in CALL Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

Traders of Hang Seng Index call options maintain significant holdings at lower strikes. Increased interest in 25,000 and 26,000 strikes

Gaudenz Schneider

EQD | Asia November Vol Roadmap - The Waiting Game

​Major markets are not monetizing, with US FOMC and election impacting implied vols. Hang Seng, Shanghai Shenzhen, and Nikkei 225 have elevated...

John Ley

Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (Feb 24 – 28): Broad Deterioration

​The market saw broad weakness with less than half of optionable stocks up for the week. Put option volumes at 4-month high, pushing Put/Call ratio...

John Ley

The HSI Index is defying gravity, up over 30% from its recent lows, but our models suggest it is very overbought, indicating a potential...

Traders are heavily positioned in Hang Seng Index put options at 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels, indicating protection against major market...

Major markets are not monetizing, with US FOMC and election impacting implied vols. Hang Seng, Shanghai Shenzhen, and Nikkei 225 have elevated...

The market saw broad weakness with less than half of optionable stocks up for the week. Put option volumes at 4-month high, pushing Put/Call ratio...