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 NIFTY 50 index is National Stock Exchange of India's benchmark stock market index for Indian equity market. Nifty is owned and managed by India Index Services and Products (IISL), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the NSE Strategic Investment Corporation Limited.

<ul>
<li>Implied vol spiked sharply on Monday, marking one of the largest single-day moves since the pandemic.</li>
<li>We discuss the move in skew and suggest a course of action for previously recommended hedges.</li>
<li>The magnitude of the implied vol move is examined in the context of recent price behavior—and whether it holds.</li>
</ul>


Implied vol spiked sharply on Monday, marking one of the largest single-day moves since the pandemic.
We discuss the move in skew and suggest a course of action for previously recommended hedges.
The magnitude of the implied vol move is examined in the context of recent price behavior—and whether it holds.


Nifty Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11): Volatility Spikes, Skew Steepens, Hedges Reassessed

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 / Equity Derivatives

The KOSPI 200 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 200 Korean stocks which make up 93% of the total market value of the Korea Stock Exchange. The index was developed with a base value of 100 as of January 3, 1990.

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 (KOSPI2 INDEX EQUITY)

<ul>
<li>Price action was volatile this week, marked by two large moves and a notable pickup in vol of vol.</li>
<li>We examine the material steepening of skew observed over the course of the week.</li>
<li>USD/KRW broke its recent range, reinforcing signs that USD assets may be losing their traditional flight to quality appeal.</li>
</ul>


Price action was volatile this week, marked by two large moves and a notable pickup in vol of vol.
We examine the material steepening of skew observed over the course of the week.
USD/KRW broke its recent range, reinforcing signs that USD assets may be losing their traditional flight to quality appeal.


Kospi Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11):  Skew Shifts Steepens and Positioning Signals

The Nikkei-225 Stock Average is a price-weighted average of 225 top-rated Japanese companies listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Nikkei Stock Average was first published on May 16, 1949, where the average price was ¥176.21 with a divisor of 225. 

<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

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>A challenging week for HK single stocks, with weak breadth and sharp losses punctuated by a gap lower to start the week.</li>
<li>Monday marked the highest options volume day of the year, with a spike in the Put/Call ratio and unusual ETF option activity.</li>
<li>Implied vols surged, with the average implied vol percentile at very elevated levels.</li>
</ul>


A challenging week for HK single stocks, with weak breadth and sharp losses punctuated by a gap lower to start the week.
Monday marked the highest options volume day of the year, with a spike in the Put/Call ratio and unusual ETF option activity.
Implied vols surged, with the average implied vol percentile at very elevated levels.


Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (Apr 07–11): Vol Spikes, Breadth Cracks & ETF Activity Surges

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index / Equity Derivatives

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index is a free-float capitalization-weighted index comprised of H-Shares listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and included in the Hang Seng Mainland Composite Index. The base value of this index is 2000 as of Jan 3, 2000. This index replaced the old HSCE index on Oct. 3, 2001.

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)

<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

Clifton Derivatives

Nifty Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11): Volatility Spikes, Skew Steepens, Hedges Reassessed

Implied volatility surged on Monday, prompting a reevaluation of recommended hedges and the sustainability of recent price movements.

John Ley

Kospi Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11): Skew Shifts Steepens and Positioning Signals

This week saw volatile price action and a steepening of skew. We discuss the shift that appears to be underway in traditional flight to quality...

John Ley

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

Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (Apr 07–11): Vol Spikes, Breadth Cracks & ETF Activity Surges

HK single stocks faced a tough week with sharp losses, high options volume, surging implied vols and very poor breadth.

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

Nifty Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11): Volatility Spikes, Skew Steepens, Hedges Reassessed

​Implied volatility surged on Monday, prompting a reevaluation of recommended hedges and the sustainability of recent price movements.

John Ley

Kospi Index Options Weekly (Apr 07 – 11): Skew Shifts Steepens and Positioning Signals

​This week saw volatile price action and a steepening of skew. We discuss the shift that appears to be underway in traditional flight to quality...

John Ley

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

Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (Apr 07–11): Vol Spikes, Breadth Cracks & ETF Activity Surges

​HK single stocks faced a tough week with sharp losses, high options volume, surging implied vols and very poor breadth.

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

Implied volatility surged on Monday, prompting a reevaluation of recommended hedges and the sustainability of recent price movements.

This week saw volatile price action and a steepening of skew. We discuss the shift that appears to be underway in traditional flight to quality...

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...

HK single stocks faced a tough week with sharp losses, high options volume, surging implied vols and very poor breadth.

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