Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 11/02/2020

By Erik Lytikainen | November 2, 2020

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 11/02/20

  • At a big picture level, 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 would have resulted in lower returns in exchange for lower risk exposure.   The model has resulted in a 79% improvement in risk-adjusted return, as measured by the Sharpe Ratio. 
  • The Gamma Band model ran exposure of 30% through most of last week, and that is where the model has begun this week. The model will cut exposure to zero if the SPX value closes below the lower Gamma Band, currently at 3,200.
  • Our binary Smart Money Indicator continues to have a full allocation, and we discuss this in greater detail below. The Smart Money indicator has fallen from very bullish levels but is a long way from changing to a flat allocation.
  • SPX skew, which measures the relative cost of puts to calls, shows that put buyers are paying a meaningful premium over call buyers ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
  • We publish several signals each day, ranging from a fast signal in ThorShield to a less active signal (as represented by the Gamma Bands and published in the daily SPX report).  Samples of our SPX and ThorShield daily reports can be downloaded from our website.

Gamma Band, Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 11/02/2020

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 during this time.  When the Residual Sentiment Index in the second graph turns 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 11/02/2020

SPX Skew – the Price of Protection

In evaluating equity market risk, we also consider the cost of buying puts versus the cost of buying 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 might be a signal to reduce equity exposure. 

Ahead of an important U.S. presidential election, the put buyers are paying a meaningful premium for the protection. 

Gamma Band, Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 11/02/2020

Gamma Band Background

Market participants are increasingly aware of how the options markets can affect the equity markets in a way that can be viewed as the “tail wagging the dog.” 

We created a Gamma Band indicator to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Gamma Neutral level in reducing equity tail risk.  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 79% increase in risk-adjusted returns (shown below).  The Gamma Band model is a relatively slow but reliable signal if one’s goal is to increase risk-adjusted returns.  We also publish a faster, daily signal in a portfolio model which we call Thor’s Shield.  Thor Shield has a 20-year Sharpe of 1.5 and a rolling 1-year Sharpe of over 3.4.  Free samples of our daily SPX report and Thor’s Shield model can be downloaded from our website.

Gamma Band, Viking Analytics: Weekly Gamma Band Update 11/02/2020

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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