Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 1/11/2021

By Erik Lytikainen | January 11, 2021

We share the Weekly Gamma Bands Update by Viking Analytics. The report uses options gamma to help you better manage risk and your equity allocations.

Gamma Band Update 01/11/21

  • The SPX Gamma Band model can be viewed as a long-only trend-following model that reduces exposure when options markets show elevated risk. Since 2007, following this model has similar returns to a long-only position, although with much lower risk exposure.   The Gamma Band model has resulted in a 75% improvement in risk-adjusted return since 2007 (measured by the Sharpe Ratio). 
  • The Gamma Band model has maintained a high exposure to the S&P 500 since the U.S. election. The model will generally maintain a 100% allocation as long as price closes above Gamma Neutral, currently at 3,732.
  • The model will cut S&P 500 exposure to 0% if price closes below the lower gamma bound, currently near 3,500.
  • Our binary Smart Money Indicator continues to have a full allocation but could turn cautionary if smart money begins to buy more long-dated puts. The Smart Money had been trending towards the safe zone, but recently stopped its decline, perhaps signaling more bullishness.
  • SPX skew is in a normal range. The market continues to show signs of caution with stocks achieving all-time highs on a weekly basis.
  • We publish many different signals each day in four different pdf reports. A sample copy of all of our reports can be downloaded by visiting our website.

Gamma Band, Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 1/11/2021

Smart Money Residual Index

This indicator compares “smart money” options buying to “hot money” options buying.  Generally, smart money will purchase options to insure stable returns over a longer term.  Smart money has in-depth knowledge and data in support of their options activity. In contrast, “Hot money” acts based on speculation, seeking a large payoff.

At the moment, hot money is more cautious than smart money, and the back-test for this model supports a long position.  When the Sentiment goes below zero (and the line moves from green to red), then this model will cut all equity exposure to zero.  When the market is in the red regime below, the market has an overall negative return.

Gamma Band, Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 1/11/2021

SPX Skew – the Price of Protection

Another tool we use to evaluate market risk is called “skew,” which is the relative cost of buying puts versus calls.  When puts command a larger-than-usual premium to calls, then the market will have higher volatility (in the red zone below), and this can often be a signal to reduce equity exposure. 

As the market continues to push to all-time highs, one might expect skew to be more bullish; some analysts see market risk ahead of the January 6th approval of the U.S. electoral ballots.

Gamma Band, Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 1/11/2021

Gamma Band Background

Market participants are increasingly aware of how the options markets can be the “tail that wags the dog” of the equity market. 

The Gamma Band indicator adjusts equity exposure dynamically in relation to the Gamma Neutral and other related levels.  This has shown to reduce equity tail risk and improve risk-adjusted returns.  In our model, we compare the daily close of the SPX to the Gamma Neutral and Lower band levels to adjust our equity exposure allocation from 0% to 100%.  

We back-tested this strategy from 2007 to the present and discovered a 75% increase in risk-adjusted returns (shown below).  The Gamma Band model is a relatively slow but reliable signal.  Free samples of all of our daily reports can be downloaded from our website.

Gamma Band, Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 1/11/2021

Authors

Viking Analytics is a quantitative research firm that creates tools to navigate complex markets.  If you would like to learn more, please visit our website, or download a complimentary report.

Erik Lytikainen, the founder of Viking Analytics, has over twenty-five years of experience as a financial analyst, entrepreneur, business developer, and commodity trader. Erik holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Rob McBride has 15+ years of experience in the systematic investment space and is a former Managing Director at a multi-billion dollar hedge fund. Furthermore, he has deep experience with market data, software, and model building in financial markets. Rob has a M.S. in Computer Science from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.



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Erik Lytikainen, the founder of Viking Analytics, has over twenty five years of experience as a financial analyst, entrepreneur business developer and commodity trader. Erik holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. You can learn more about his work on his website: www.viking-analytics.com.

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