Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist, Clifton Derivatives

John Ley

Ex-Portfolio Manager with over 25 years of derivatives experience across products and geographies. Specializing in all things Vol - Relative Value volatility trading, Cross-Asset volatility strategies and event handicapping and trading. Develops own proprietary trading tools and analysis.  
Previously: Options Specialist and Market Maker at BMO, Managing Director Global Equity Derivatives at TDS. Most recently, Portfolio Manager of volatility portfolio at Polar Aset Management Partners (> $USD 7 billion multi-strategy hedge fund) focusing on cross-asset relative value volatility and derivative fund overlays.

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist

Macro Monthly August 2026: Global Markets Enter August With Poor Seasonality and Volatility Risk

Clifton Derivatives

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

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>Hong Kong equities paused after a strong run, with market breadth weakening despite a continued upside skew in individual stock returns.</li>
<li>Single stock option activity fell sharply, with weaker Call trading accounting for much of the decline.</li>
<li>HSI implied volatility remains subdued relative to its recent history, while single stock implied vols remain comparatively elevated.</li>
</ul>


Hong Kong equities paused after a strong run, with market breadth weakening despite a continued upside skew in individual stock returns.
Single stock option activity fell sharply, with weaker Call trading accounting for much of the decline.
HSI implied volatility remains subdued relative to its recent history, while single stock implied vols remain comparatively elevated.


China National Building Material (3323 HK)

Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly Aug 03–07: Day-Of-Week Pattern Emerges as Volumes and Vol Fall

Hang Seng Index

Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly Aug 03–07: Day-Of-Week Pattern Emerges as Volumes and Vol Fall