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.

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>Both Nikkei and USD/JPY re-tested levels last seen in early August, with Nikkei implied vols surging.</li>
<li>Beyond tariffs, we explore what may become the dominant driver of market movements in the weeks ahead.</li>
<li>Skew steepened materially; we examine how open interest at current spot levels could shape the spot-vol relationship going forward.</li>
</ul>


Both Nikkei and USD/JPY re-tested levels last seen in early August, with Nikkei implied vols surging.
Beyond tariffs, we explore what may become the dominant driver of market movements in the weeks ahead.
Skew steepened materially; we examine how open interest at current spot levels could shape the spot-vol relationship going forward.


Nikkei Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11): Vol Spikes, Skew Steepens, Macro Shifts Unfold

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index / Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>Brutal start to the week, with the holiday-shortened calendar and continued global weakness weighing on Monday’s open.</li>
<li>Implied vol surged early, with skew steepening and tail demand reflected in out-of-the-money Put pricing</li>
<li>We highlight significant activity at the 8,000 strike and its implications for near-term spot and vol dynamics.</li>
</ul>


Brutal start to the week, with the holiday-shortened calendar and continued global weakness weighing on Monday’s open.
Implied vol surged early, with skew steepening and tail demand reflected in out-of-the-money Put pricing
We highlight significant activity at the 8,000 strike and its implications for near-term spot and vol dynamics.


HSCEI Index Options Weekly (Apr 7-11): Vol Reset, Skew Reprices, and 8,000 Strike in Focus

<ul>
<li>A volatile week for HSI, with sharp moves in price, volume, and implied volatility concentrated around Monday’s gap lower.</li>
<li>We discuss the shift in spot-vol dynamics and how it may influence short-term vol trading.</li>
<li>Changes in open interest and vol structure are examined in the context of ongoing global tensions.</li>
</ul>


A volatile week for HSI, with sharp moves in price, volume, and implied volatility concentrated around Monday’s gap lower.
We discuss the shift in spot-vol dynamics and how it may influence short-term vol trading.
Changes in open interest and vol structure are examined in the context of ongoing global tensions.


HSI Index Options Weekly (Apr 07–11): Vol Shifts and Early Signs of USD Toxicity

Oil and Gas, Mint Finance

Suhas Reddy

Oil and Gas

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

Commodities

<ul>
<li>WTI futures fell 10.6% for the week ending 04/Apr, driven primarily by President Trump’s tariff announcement, which was broader and more severe than markets had anticipated.</li>
<li>The U.S. rig count fell by two to 590. The oil rig count grew by five to 489, while gas rigs dropped by seven to 96.</li>
<li>WTI OI PCR fell to 0.88 on 04/Apr compared to 0.91 on 28/Mar. Call OI increased by 10.8% WoW, while put OI grew by 7.2%.</li>
</ul>


WTI futures fell 10.6% for the week ending 04/Apr, driven primarily by President Trump’s tariff announcement, which was broader and more severe than markets had anticipated.
The U.S. rig count fell by two to 590. The oil rig count grew by five to 489, while gas rigs dropped by seven to 96.
WTI OI PCR fell to 0.88 on 04/Apr compared to 0.91 on 28/Mar. Call OI increased by 10.8% WoW, while put OI grew by 7.2%.


[US Crude Oil Options Weekly 2025/14] WTI Dropped to Four-Year Low on Trump’s Tariffs

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The logic behind the tariff is not just a slap in the face for a lot of other nations but also net imports over exports. </li>
<li>Companies benefitting from the globalization will suffer, and the ones with domestic-centric businesses with real assets in proximity may be less hurt. </li>
<li>This could accelerate the forming of new trading bloc that may change the current world order. </li>
</ul>


The logic behind the tariff is not just a slap in the face for a lot of other nations but also net imports over exports. 
Companies benefitting from the globalization will suffer, and the ones with domestic-centric businesses with real assets in proximity may be less hurt. 
This could accelerate the forming of new trading bloc that may change the current world order. 


United States

The S&P 500® is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities and serves as the foundation for a wide range of investment products. The index includes 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization.

S&P 500 INDEX (SPX INDEX)

Nikkei Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11): Vol Spikes, Skew Steepens, Macro Shifts Unfold

Nikkei and USD/JPY re-test August levels, with implied vols surging. Market movements may be driven by factors beyond tariffs, as open interest at...

John Ley

HSCEI Index Options Weekly (Apr 7-11): Vol Reset, Skew Reprices, and 8,000 Strike in Focus

Global weakness and a holiday-shortened week led to a brutal start on Monday, with increased implied volatility and significant activity at the...

John Ley

HSI Index Options Weekly (Apr 07–11): Vol Shifts and Early Signs of USD Toxicity

This Insight analyzes the recent volatility in HSI and its impact on short-term vol trading, highlighting shifts in spot-vol dynamics and changes...

John Ley

[US Crude Oil Options Weekly 2025/14] WTI Dropped to Four-Year Low on Trump’s Tariffs

Oil prices plummeted due to Trump's tariff announcement, leading to a drop in the U.S. rig count and a decrease in WTI OI PCR.

Mint Finance

Tariff: New World Order?

Tariffs could shift global trade dynamics, favoring domestic-focused companies and potentially leading to the formation of new trading blocs.

Henry Soediarko

Nikkei Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11): Vol Spikes, Skew Steepens, Macro Shifts Unfold

​Nikkei and USD/JPY re-test August levels, with implied vols surging. Market movements may be driven by factors beyond tariffs, as open interest at...

John Ley

HSCEI Index Options Weekly (Apr 7-11): Vol Reset, Skew Reprices, and 8,000 Strike in Focus

​Global weakness and a holiday-shortened week led to a brutal start on Monday, with increased implied volatility and significant activity at the...

John Ley

HSI Index Options Weekly (Apr 07–11): Vol Shifts and Early Signs of USD Toxicity

​This Insight analyzes the recent volatility in HSI and its impact on short-term vol trading, highlighting shifts in spot-vol dynamics and changes...

John Ley

[US Crude Oil Options Weekly 2025/14] WTI Dropped to Four-Year Low on Trump’s Tariffs

​Oil prices plummeted due to Trump's tariff announcement, leading to a drop in the U.S. rig count and a decrease in WTI OI PCR.

Mint Finance

Tariff: New World Order?

​Tariffs could shift global trade dynamics, favoring domestic-focused companies and potentially leading to the formation of new trading blocs.

Henry Soediarko

Nikkei and USD/JPY re-test August levels, with implied vols surging. Market movements may be driven by factors beyond tariffs, as open interest at...

Global weakness and a holiday-shortened week led to a brutal start on Monday, with increased implied volatility and significant activity at the...

This Insight analyzes the recent volatility in HSI and its impact on short-term vol trading, highlighting shifts in spot-vol dynamics and changes...

Oil prices plummeted due to Trump's tariff announcement, leading to a drop in the U.S. rig count and a decrease in WTI OI PCR.

Tariffs could shift global trade dynamics, favoring domestic-focused companies and potentially leading to the formation of new trading blocs.