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

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.

<ul>
<li>December seasonals across major markets show a generally positive profile, but the path is uneven, with most gains clustering in the final days of the month.</li>
<li>Several markets offer appealing vol selling setups, particularly those with consistently positive December vol premiums and elevated implied levels relative to past outcomes.</li>
<li>Nifty vol appears attractively priced, but its tendency not to monetize in December requires traders to think differently about how they extract value.</li>
</ul>


December seasonals across major markets show a generally positive profile, but the path is uneven, with most gains clustering in the final days of the month.
Several markets offer appealing vol selling setups, particularly those with consistently positive December vol premiums and elevated implied levels relative to past outcomes.
Nifty vol appears attractively priced, but its tendency not to monetize in December requires traders to think differently about how they extract value.


Macro Monthly (December): Seasonal Strength, Vol Selling Edges and a Notable Nifty Setup

<ul>
<li>HSI recovered from last week’s sharp drop, helped by stronger breadth and steady but slower activity ahead of the U.S. holiday.</li>
<li>Implied vols were broadly lower against the back drop of quiet market action.</li>
<li>Materials sector names, with high implied percentiles and recent vol declines, may offer useful starting points for short vol candidates.</li>
</ul>


HSI recovered from last week’s sharp drop, helped by stronger breadth and steady but slower activity ahead of the U.S. holiday.
Implied vols were broadly lower against the back drop of quiet market action.
Materials sector names, with high implied percentiles and recent vol declines, may offer useful starting points for short vol candidates.


Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (Nov 24 – 28): Broad Decline in Implied Vol

The S&P/ASX 200 measures the performance of the 200 largest index-eligible stocks listed on the ASX by float-adjusted market capitalization. Representative liquid and tradable, it is widely considered Australia's preeminent benchmark index. The index is float-adjusted. The index was launched in April 2000.

<ul>
<li>SPASX200 gained steadily through the week despite slowing daily momentum, nearly reversing last week’s decline</li>
<li>Market breadth strengthened, with a broad rebound across optionable stocks.</li>
<li>Implied vols declined across most single stocks, bringing the average back toward mid range levels after last week’s elevated readings</li>
</ul>


SPASX200 gained steadily through the week despite slowing daily momentum, nearly reversing last week’s decline
Market breadth strengthened, with a broad rebound across optionable stocks.
Implied vols declined across most single stocks, bringing the average back toward mid range levels after last week’s elevated readings


Australia Single Stock Options (Nov 24– 27): Broad Rebound Pulls Implieds Lower

Silver is the metallic element with the atomic number 47. Its symbol is Ag, from the Latin argentum, derived from the Greek ὰργὀς (literally "shiny" or "white"), and ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European language root reconstructed as *h₂erǵ-, "grey" or "shining". A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal. The metal is found in the Earth's crust in the pure, free elemental form ("native silver"), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite. Most silver is produced as a byproduct of copper, gold, lead, and zinc refining.

<ul>
<li>After an extraordinary run, SLV’s pullback appears orderly as implied volatility cools yet remains high by historical standards.</li>
<li>We examine how this bull market in Silver compares with previous bull market spanning 50 years.</li>
<li>We also look at market participation to identify what’s been driving the recent price action.</li>
</ul>


After an extraordinary run, SLV’s pullback appears orderly as implied volatility cools yet remains high by historical standards.
We examine how this bull market in Silver compares with previous bull market spanning 50 years.
We also look at market participation to identify what’s been driving the recent price action.


Silver: A Fifty-Year Perspective on Bull Markets and Sizing Up the Recent Correction

<ul>
<li>A renewed tariff threat from Trump sparked a sharp, sell-off across North American Equity markets.</li>
<li>The sell off was broad based and accordingly we look at the performance of Asian Index ETF’s that trade in North America to help prepare for Monday’s price action.</li>
<li>Implied volatility, price and option volume are displayed for each symbol.</li>
</ul>


A renewed tariff threat from Trump sparked a sharp, sell-off across North American Equity markets.
The sell off was broad based and accordingly we look at the performance of Asian Index ETF’s that trade in North America to help prepare for Monday’s price action.
Implied volatility, price and option volume are displayed for each symbol.


Market Sell-Off (Oct 10): How Asian Index ETFs Responded to Market Slide

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.