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>Gold’s rally shows signs of overextension but the volatility footprint differs from prior rallies.</li>
<li>We exam major bull markets over the past 50 years to assess how the current move stacks up.</li>
<li>Fund flows and the sources of buying pressure are analyzed to gauge the rally’s sustainability.</li>
</ul>


Gold’s rally shows signs of overextension but the volatility footprint differs from prior rallies.
We exam major bull markets over the past 50 years to assess how the current move stacks up.
Fund flows and the sources of buying pressure are analyzed to gauge the rally’s sustainability.


Gold: Reviewing Five Decades of Bull Markets Against an Overextended Backdrop

Cross-Asset Strategist & Quantitative Analyst, Pennock Idea Hub

Cam Hui

Cross-Asset Strategist & Quantitative Analyst

Pennock Idea Hub

We are creators of independent equity research. The Pennock Idea Hub team are veterans of the investment industry. Much of our team has spent their careers at Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, RBC Capital Markets and Wood Gundy. We have taken every aspect of research back to the studs and returned to first principles. The Pennock Idea Hub marries the interests of the sell and buy side. 

We offer the best research for institutional investors by:

-Only publishing research from veteran analysts
-Eliminate the inherent conflicts of the traditional sell and buy side relationship
-Ensure our team is always accessible; collaboration with clients nurtures our collective success

Cross-Asset & Quantitative Research

Technical Analysis

<ul>
<li>Gold violated its rising trend line in all major currencies except yen, which may be a technical warning of a tiring bull. Is it time to turn cautious?</li>
<li>We remain gold bulls. Gold prices are consolidating after strong gains in H1 2025, but the trend is still up.</li>
<li>Bullish sentiment isn’t stretched and central bank buying provides long-term demand.</li>
</ul>


Gold violated its rising trend line in all major currencies except yen, which may be a technical warning of a tiring bull. Is it time to turn cautious?
We remain gold bulls. Gold prices are consolidating after strong gains in H1 2025, but the trend is still up.
Bullish sentiment isn’t stretched and central bank buying provides long-term demand.


Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>The SP500 has enjoyed a prolonged period of outperformance against its international peers.</li>
<li>This year’s political shift and new policy actions could challenge long-held investment assumptions.</li>
<li>We examine the SP500’s performance relative to a range of international indexes and assets.</li>
</ul>


The SP500 has enjoyed a prolonged period of outperformance against its international peers.
This year’s political shift and new policy actions could challenge long-held investment assumptions.
We examine the SP500’s performance relative to a range of international indexes and assets.


USA Against ROW: Trends in Global Market Leadership

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 / Equity Derivatives

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 (KOSPI2 INDEX EQUITY)

<ul>
<li>The United States' tariff against Mexico and Canada, effective March 4, 2025, could disrupt global markets, with potential volatility spikes similar to early February's events.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ftse-100-index-ukx" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22904:1" rel="noopener">FTSE 100</a>: low implied volatility offers opportunities for protective puts, </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">KOSPI 200</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225</a>: an volatility premium suggests a relative value volatility arbitrage play. </li>
</ul>


The United States' tariff against Mexico and Canada, effective March 4, 2025, could disrupt global markets, with potential volatility spikes similar to early February's events.

S&amp;P/ASX 200 and FTSE 100: low implied volatility offers opportunities for protective puts, 

KOSPI 200 and Nikkei 225: an volatility premium suggests a relative value volatility arbitrage play. 


Global Option Implied Volatility - Opportunities in S&P/ASX 200, KOSPI 200, Nikkei 225, FTSE 100.

VanEck Gold Miners ETF/USA / Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>February typically has higher than normal absolute median price change of 8.67% vs 1M straddle cost of ~7.59%</li>
<li>February median historic vol is 34.44 which compares favorably to current implied vol of 31.</li>
<li>Distribution of returns when GDX has rallied this much against GLD indicative of 8.60% absolute median return.</li>
</ul>


February typically has higher than normal absolute median price change of 8.67% vs 1M straddle cost of ~7.59%
February median historic vol is 34.44 which compares favorably to current implied vol of 31.
Distribution of returns when GDX has rallied this much against GLD indicative of 8.60% absolute median return.


United States

SPDR Gold Shares is an investment fund incorporated in the USA.  The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trust's expenses. The Trust holds gold and is expected from time to time to issue Baskets in exchange for deposits of gold and to distribute gold in connection with redemptions of Baskets.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
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SPDR Gold Shares (GLD US)

Gold: Reviewing Five Decades of Bull Markets Against an Overextended Backdrop

Gold’s powerful run invites comparison to previous bull markets. We examine fifty years of history to determine whether this strength is...

John Ley

An Update on Gold: Time for a Pause?

Gold prices may be showing signs of fatigue in all major currencies except the yen, but overall trend remains bullish with consolidation after...

Cam Hui

USA Against ROW: Trends in Global Market Leadership

The SP500's outperformance may face challenges due to political shifts and new policies, prompting a reevaluation of investment assumptions.

John Ley

Global Option Implied Volatility - Opportunities in S&P/ASX 200, KOSPI 200, Nikkei 225, FTSE 100.

US tariffs on Mexico and Canada effective 4 March as a potentially adverse market event. S&P/ASX 200 and FTSE 100 offer protective put opportunities.

Gaudenz Schneider

EQD | GDX – Buy 1Month Straddle

We provide rationale why we expect a > 7.59% move for GDX and higher volatility over the coming month and recommend purchase of a long straddle...

John Ley

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Gold: Reviewing Five Decades of Bull Markets Against an Overextended Backdrop

Gold’s powerful run invites comparison to previous bull markets. We examine fifty years of history to determine whether this strength is...

John Ley

An Update on Gold: Time for a Pause?

​Gold prices may be showing signs of fatigue in all major currencies except the yen, but overall trend remains bullish with consolidation after...

Cam Hui

USA Against ROW: Trends in Global Market Leadership

​The SP500's outperformance may face challenges due to political shifts and new policies, prompting a reevaluation of investment assumptions.

John Ley

Global Option Implied Volatility - Opportunities in S&P/ASX 200, KOSPI 200, Nikkei 225, FTSE 100.

​US tariffs on Mexico and Canada effective 4 March as a potentially adverse market event. S&P/ASX 200 and FTSE 100 offer protective put opportunities.

Gaudenz Schneider

EQD | GDX – Buy 1Month Straddle

We provide rationale why we expect a > 7.59% move for GDX and higher volatility over the coming month and recommend purchase of a long straddle...

John Ley

Gold prices may be showing signs of fatigue in all major currencies except the yen, but overall trend remains bullish with consolidation after...

The SP500's outperformance may face challenges due to political shifts and new policies, prompting a reevaluation of investment assumptions.

US tariffs on Mexico and Canada effective 4 March as a potentially adverse market event. S&P/ASX 200 and FTSE 100 offer protective put opportunities.