BY: HANS ALBRECHT, CIM®, FCSI®, VICE-PRESIDENT, PORTFOLIO MANAGER AND OPTIONS STRATEGIST, HORIZONS ETFS
This is a fairly consistent rule in listed options markets: As assets rise in value, option pricing tends to pull back on a relative basis. As markets push higher, investors are deemed to be less fearful and therefore the cost to insure a portfolio against a market drops.
This is a fairly consistent rule in listed options markets: As assets rise in value, option pricing tends to pull back on a relative basis. As markets push higher, investors are deemed to be less fearful and therefore the cost to insure a portfolio against a market drops.
We see this rule routinely play out in the VIX (the CBOE Market Volatility Index). Markets have been particularly ‘un-fearful’ this year and that has translated into an average VIX level that is several points lower than it has been in recent years. Equities have been very orderly in their behavior and fear gauges have plummeted.
However, this is certainly not the case with gold and gold mining equities. Gold tends to rise as a result of factors that could be considered concerning, such as geopolitical risks, U.S. politics, dollar value fluctuations, concerns over inflation and fiat currencies. Lately, gold has been rallying for a variety of these reasons. And relative option pricing, or implied volatility, has been rising along with it. This plays particularly well into covered call strategies that wish to sell calls into a rise in the underlying assets. Horizons Enhanced Income Gold Producers ETF (HEP) is one such fund that sells calls against a portfolio of about a dozen gold producing companies. As option pricing improves, the fund is able to generate better call income and also a better hedge into a rise in the underlying equities. This is a potentially ideal scenario for those who like to lock in some gains and seek to create incremental income via covered calls.
Source: www.livevol.com, September 7, 2017.
The views/opinions expressed herein may not necessarily be the views of Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. All comments, opinions and views expressed are of a general nature and should not be considered as advice to purchase or to sell mentioned securities. Before making any investment decision, please consult your investment advisor or advisors.