Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>
Market Reaction: The announcement of US reciprocal tariffs led to significantly lower market open throughout Asia-Pacific. In the US, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-500-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22886:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P 500</a> futures dropped -3.5%, with the VIX spiking to 23.45.</li>
<li>
Impact on Japan: Japan faces a 24% tariff, with specific sectors like automobiles hit with 25%. This led to a 4.5% drop in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225</a>, stabilizing at 34,600 (-3.2%).</li>
<li>
Volatility Increase: The Nikkei 225 VIX index jumped from previous levels in the low 20's to rise above 38 before retreating to 32.8, indicating the 99th percentile of implied volatility.</li>
</ul>



Market Reaction: The announcement of US reciprocal tariffs led to significantly lower market open throughout Asia-Pacific. In the US, S&amp;P 500 futures dropped -3.5%, with the VIX spiking to 23.45.

Impact on Japan: Japan faces a 24% tariff, with specific sectors like automobiles hit with 25%. This led to a 4.5% drop in the Nikkei 225, stabilizing at 34,600 (-3.2%).

Volatility Increase: The Nikkei 225 VIX index jumped from previous levels in the low 20's to rise above 38 before retreating to 32.8, indicating the 99th percentile of implied volatility.


Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) Drops Amid US Tariffs: Implied Volatility Hits Extreme Levels

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>A weekly recap of volatility and price metrics, covering option volumes, volatility trends, the spot/implied relationship, and open interest statistics.</li>
<li>USD/JPY and Nikkei moved in opposite directions, with the index underperforming its historical relationship to FX.</li>
<li>Options volume increased throughout the week, peaking on Friday’s move lower.</li>
</ul>


A weekly recap of volatility and price metrics, covering option volumes, volatility trends, the spot/implied relationship, and open interest statistics.
USD/JPY and Nikkei moved in opposite directions, with the index underperforming its historical relationship to FX.
Options volume increased throughout the week, peaking on Friday’s move lower.


Nikkei Index Options Weekly (Mar 24 – 28): Weak Finish Despite USD/JPY Strength

Quantitative Researcher, MRM Research

Nico Rosti

Quantitative Researcher

MRM Research

Quantitative Research

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a> has been in a paralyzed trend since August 2024. Then at the end of February 2025 it started to correct.</li>
<li>As explained by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/travis-lundy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:25" rel="noopener">Travis Lundy</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4091" rel="noopener">Brian Freitas</a> the index rebalance on March 5th, 2025 was a bit unexpected and minimal in terms of changes.</li>
<li>The index bottomed 1 week after the March 2025 Nikkei 225 Average Review, and then started a rally, quite modest for now which could be signaling short-term tactical weakness.</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) has been in a paralyzed trend since August 2024. Then at the end of February 2025 it started to correct.
As explained by Travis Lundy and Brian Freitas the index rebalance on March 5th, 2025 was a bit unexpected and minimal in terms of changes.
The index bottomed 1 week after the March 2025 Nikkei 225 Average Review, and then started a rally, quite modest for now which could be signaling short-term tactical weakness.


Nikkei 225 Outlook After the Mar25 Rebalance

<ul>
<li>A weekly recap of volatility and price metrics, covering option volumes, volatility trends, the spot/implied relationship, and open interest statistics.</li>
<li>The Bank of Japan held rates steady, with little reaction from the Nikkei or USD/JPY amid lower option volumes.</li>
<li>Implied volatility declined throughout the week, pressured by muted price action and low historic volatility.</li>
</ul>


A weekly recap of volatility and price metrics, covering option volumes, volatility trends, the spot/implied relationship, and open interest statistics.
The Bank of Japan held rates steady, with little reaction from the Nikkei or USD/JPY amid lower option volumes.
Implied volatility declined throughout the week, pressured by muted price action and low historic volatility.


Nikkei Index Options Weekly (Mar 17 – 21): Muted Reaction to BOJ as Volatility Declines

<ul>
<li>We assess the effectiveness of short volatility versus long volatility positioning.</li>
<li>Nikkei’s performance relative to SPX is analyzed across three distinct time frames.</li>
<li>Volatility remained muted ahead of next week’s Bank of Japan meeting, while option volumes increased week over week.</li>
</ul>


We assess the effectiveness of short volatility versus long volatility positioning.
Nikkei’s performance relative to SPX is analyzed across three distinct time frames.
Volatility remained muted ahead of next week’s Bank of Japan meeting, while option volumes increased week over week.


Nikkei Index Options Weekly (Mar 10–14): Assessing Long Vs. Short Vol Strategies & Returns Vs. SPX

Japan

The Nikkei-225 Stock Average is a price-weighted average of 225 top-rated Japanese companies listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Nikkei Stock Average was first published on May 16, 1949, where the average price was ¥176.21 with a divisor of 225. 

Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)