India VIX Volatility Index:
As the name suggests India VIX is an index to measure the volatility (or fear) in the broader market.
Just like NSE Nifty 50 is an index of broader market price, India VIX is an index of broader market volatility. If someone asks you whether the market went up or down, you are more likely to check the index and reply accordingly. Similarly, India VIX measures the overall volatility of the market.
As a general definition, Higher the fear, higher the volatility in the market. Hence it is also known as the fear index. The India VIX increases during times of uncertainty such as the election exit polls, election results, economic data announcements, or when market is expecting policy changes and so on.
NiftyTrader is the most popular and most useful platform for Option traders in India and that's why India Vix share price is updated live in real time during market hours.
You can see the India VIX live price and India VIX live chart on the NiftyTrader website. The live chart of India VIX helps option sellers time the option selling for selling at higher prices. When the India VIX index chart starts to form the bottom, option sellers tend to close their positions for hefty profits.
India VIX calculation methodology:
India VIX, often referred to as the 'fear gauge,' measures market volatility expectations over the next 30 days. It's a crucial index for traders, especially those involved in options trading. The VIX is calculated based on the order book of NIFTY options and provides a real-time estimate of market risk and investor sentiment.
India VIX and the Market Range:
Why should you care about India VIX? It’s simple: India VIX provides insights into market sentiment. A higher VIX indicates higher expected volatility, while a lower VIX suggests stability. For option traders, this information is vital as it impacts option pricing and trading strategies.
Steps to Calculate Market Range
Understand the India VIX Value: India VIX is quoted as an annualized percentage. For example, if India VIX is 20, there is an expected annual volatility of 20%.
Convert Annual Volatility to Daily Volatility: Since India VIX is an annual figure, you need to convert it to a daily figure to find the market range for shorter periods. Assuming there are 252 trading days in a year, you can calculate the daily volatility as follows:
Daily Volatility = India VIX / v252
Calculate Expected Range for a Given Period: You can use the daily volatility to find the market range for a specific number of days. For example, for a period of n days, the expected range can be calculated as:
Expected Range = Current Nifty Level x Daily Volatility x vn
This range represents the expected movement (up or down) from the current level.
Weekly Market Range Calculation from India VIX
The India VIX (Volatility Index) measures market expectations of near-term volatility. It is derived from the option prices of the Nifty 50 index and can be used to estimate the expected market range over a given period.
India VIX Today v/s the historical values:
India VIX is calculated as a number. To understand if it is high or low, we need to compare today's India VIX value with that of the historical values.
In other words, to understand today VIX value, compare them with historical data of India VIX.
Volatility and Option Price Example:
Let's understand this with an example. If the India VIX value today is at 18, while the historical average is around 15. This indicates a moderately high level of market anxiety.
Now suppose the Bank Nifty futures are trading at 42,000. A higher VIX means option prices today are more expensive (compared to historical average) due to the increased expected volatility.
Let's assume that India VIX were to drop to 12, option prices would also likely decrease as the market anticipates lower volatility.
Volatility India Index - High or Low?
As a general rule of thumb, India VIX price above 20 is typically high, signaling market fear, while below 15 suggests low volatility. Our historical charts of India VIX can help you make this comparison.
Using India VIX in Trading Strategies
As an options trader, using India VIX can significantly impact your strategy. Here are some practical tips based on different VIX values.
Option Strategy when India VIX is high or peaking
When India VIX is high, consider strategies that benefit from increased volatility. For example, buying options or using straddle strategies might be effective.
Example: With the India VIX at 18, buying a straddle on the Bank Nifty futures at 42,000 could be profitable as the expected market movement is higher. High VIX suggests that both call and put option prices are higher, reflecting the increased market uncertainty.
Impact: High VIX generally results in higher option premiums. As volatility is expected to be high, options become more expensive, providing opportunities for traders who anticipate significant market movements.
Option Strategy when Volatility is low or bottoming out
In a low VIX environment, strategies like writing options or using spreads could be more beneficial, as they capitalize on lower expected volatility.
Example: If the India VIX drops to 12, selling options or using spread strategies on the Bank Nifty futures might be more profitable. Lower VIX suggests lower premiums for options, making it a favorable environment for option writers.
Impact: Low VIX results in lower option premiums. In such scenarios, options are cheaper, and traders might prefer writing options to benefit from time decay and reduced volatility.
Major Events and their impact on India VIX
Major events can cause significant spikes in India VIX. For instance, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the VIX shot up as market uncertainty increased.
Example: During the elections, the India VIX surged to 25. This spike caused both call and put option prices to rise significantly. For option sellers, this was a golden opportunity to bet on the VIX falling post-election results. Selling options during such spikes can lead to substantial profits once the market stabilizes and the VIX returns to normal levels.