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Trader positions in VIX futures

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  • Chen, Yu-Lun
  • Yang, J. Jimmy

Abstract

We investigate the dynamic changes in trader positions of market participants in the VIX futures markets. We find that in a low-VIX period, below the 23.81 threshold determined by our model, changes in VIX futures affect the trading decisions of dealers and leveraged fund managers, but in an opposite direction. During a high-VIX period, dealers and leveraged fund managers would then alter their trading strategies. We highlight the important role of exchange-traded products trading in hedging demand of dealers and show the impact on VIX futures. Trader positions are determinants of VIX futures prices, basis, and VIX premium.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Yu-Lun & Yang, J. Jimmy, 2021. "Trader positions in VIX futures," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1-17.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:empfin:v:61:y:2021:i:c:p:1-17
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jempfin.2020.12.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Fotini Economou & Konstantinos Gavriilidis & Bartosz Gebka & Vasileios Kallinterakis, 2022. "Feedback trading: a review of theory and empirical evidence," Review of Behavioral Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 15(4), pages 429-476, February.
    2. Chen, Yu-Lun & Mo, Wan-Shin, 2023. "Determinants and dynamic interactions of trader positions in the gold futures market," Journal of Commodity Markets, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    3. Michael J. O'Neill & Robert E. Whaley, 2023. "Effects of nondiscretionary trading on futures prices," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(1), pages 33-68, January.
    4. Nekhili, Ramzi & Mensi, Walid & Vo, Xuan Vinh, 2021. "Multiscale spillovers and connectedness between gold, copper, oil, wheat and currency markets," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    5. Yu‐Lun Chen & J. Jimmy Yang, 2024. "Time‐varying price discovery in regular and microbitcoin futures," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(1), pages 103-121, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    VIX futures; Leveraged fund; Dealers; Exchange-traded products;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)

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