CAIA - 30 - Volatility, Correlation, and Dispersion Products Flashcards

1
Q

___ ___are pure plays on volatility with returns that are driven directly by exposure to the volatility factor.

A

Volatility derivatives are pure plays on volatility with returns that are driven directly by exposure to the volatility factor.

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2
Q

Investments that tend to decline with increases in return volatility are said to be ___ volatility and have a ___risk premium.

A

Investments that tend to decline with increases in return volatility are said to be short volatility and have a positive risk premium.

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3
Q

Studies show that volatility ___ a unique risk factor.

A

Studies show that volatility is a unique risk factor.

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4
Q

An options ___ is the length of time until the contract expires

A

An options tenor is the length of time until the contract expires

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5
Q

The time decay of options decreases at the ___ ___of ___.

A

The time decay of options decreases at the square root of time.

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6
Q

A ___ ___ combines a short call and a short put on the same asset with the same strike price.

A

A short straddle combines a short call and a short put on the same asset with the same strike price.

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7
Q

A ___ ___combines a short call and a short put on the same asset, with different strikes.

A

A short strangle combines a short call and a short put on the same asset, with different strikes.

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8
Q

At-the-money straddles have ___ market beta.

A

At-the-money straddles have zero market beta.

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9
Q

A short ___ ___ involves selling an out-of-the-money bull spread and an out-of-the money bear spread.

A

A short iron condor involves selling an out-of-the-money bull spread and an out-of-the money bear spread.

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10
Q

A short ___ ___ involves selling a bull spread and a bear spread with the same middle strike price.

A

A short iron butterfly involves selling a bull spread and a bear spread with the same middle strike price.

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11
Q

___ reflects the effects of declines in return volatility of the underlying asset and ___directly reflects the passage of time. These two measures are ___ correlated.

A

Vega reflects the effects of declines in return volatility of the underlying asset and theta directly reflects the passage of time. These two measures are highly correlated.

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12
Q

Options with higher vega have ___ gammas and ___thetas. An option with higher vega decays ___each day than one with lower.

A

Options with higher vega have lower gammas and higher thetas. An option with higher vega decays more each day than one with lower.

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13
Q

___ risk can be reduced by hedging a call position with a short position in the underlying asset.

A

Delta risk can be reduced by hedging a call position with a short position in the underlying asset.

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14
Q

___-neutral hedged option positions are a play on the volatility of the option’s underlying asset.

A

Delta-neutral hedged option positions are a play on the volatility of the option’s underlying asset.

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15
Q

Delta-neutral portfolios that are long options are ___ gamma.

A

Delta-neutral portfolios that are long options are long gamma.

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16
Q

To keep a long gamma portfolio hedged, traders ___ as the stock price falls and ___as it rises.

A

To keep a long gamma portfolio hedged, traders buy as the stock price falls and sell as it rises.

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17
Q

If realized volatility exceeds the initial vega, then positive effects of long ___ dominate the effects of ___and the position experiences a ___.

A

If realized volatility exceeds the initial vega, then positive effects of long gamma dominate the effects of theta and the position experiences a gain.

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18
Q

Infrequent rebalancing is a bet that volatility will be ___.

A

Infrequent rebalancing is a bet that volatility will be directional.

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19
Q

Realized volatility ___-___, ___and has a ___ ___.

A

Realized volatility mean-reverts, clusters and has a long memory.

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20
Q

Volatility is often modeled using ___ ___ ___ ___ and ___ ___ models.

A

Volatility is often modeled using generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) and regime switching models.

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21
Q

An ___ ___ ___ represents several vegas relative to their tenor, moneyness or type.

A

An implied volatility structure represents several vegas relative to their tenor, moneyness or type.

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22
Q

A vega structure that focuses on the relationship between vegas and moneyness is a ___ ___.

A

A vega structure that focuses on the relationship between vegas and moneyness is a volatility skew.

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23
Q

An option’s ___ ___ is a graphical representation of vega for several options with different expiration dates and strike prices.

A

An option’s volatility surface is a graphical representation of vega for several options with different expiration dates and strike prices.

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24
Q

Volatility strategies have recovered from drawdowns in less than ___ year, which contrasts with long-only stocks, credit, or commodity investments that can take ___-___ years.

A

Volatility strategies have recovered from drawdowns in less than 1 year, which contrasts with long-only stocks, credit, or commodity investments that can take 1-2 years.

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25
Mean reversion in realized volatility (is/is not) aribtragable.
Mean reversion in realized volatility **is not** aribtragable.
26
A ___ \_\_\_is a process that is used to model values that may experience large discrete changes.
A **jump process** is a process that is used to model values that may experience large discrete changes.
27
\_\_\_ \_\_\_is the risk of continuous accrual of small changes in an asset's volatility over time.
**Volatility diffusion** is the risk of continuous accrual of small changes in an asset's volatility over time.
28
A ___ \_\_\_refers to the risk of large, sudden increases in voalitility.
A **volatility jump** refers to the risk of large, sudden increases in voalitility.
29
Continuous time diffusion process for returns (equation)
30
A ___ \_\_\_occurs when the observed behavior of a financial series undergoes a significant change.
A **regime change** occurs when the observed behavior of a financial series undergoes a significant change.
31
While quoted yields are used to calculate bond prices, quoted ___ \_\_\_ is used to calculate options and volatility swap prices.
While quoted yields are used to calculate bond prices, quoted **implied volatility** is used to calculate options and volatility swap prices.
32
Bond prices and volatility products are both driven by \_\_\_-\_\_\_factors.
Bond prices and volatility products are both driven by **mean**-**reverting** factors.
33
Volatility and interest rates both have a ___ structure.
Volatility and interest rates both have a **term** structure.
34
\_\_\_ of volatility and \_\_\_of bonds both require compensation for their risk.
**Sellers** of volatility and **buyers** of bonds both require compensation for their risk.
35
A ___ \_\_\_involves a variance buyer making a payment based on a predetermined variance level and receiving an asset's annual realized variance.
A **variance swap** involves a variance buyer making a payment based on a predetermined variance level and receiving an asset's annual realized variance.
36
Variance swap payoff (equation)
Swap notional value \* (Realized variance - strike variance)
37
The ___ \_\_\_ ___ is a market-based estimation of the 30-day implied volatility of the S&P 500
The **CBOE Volatility Index** (VIX) is a market-based estimation of the 30-day implied volatility of the S&P 500
38
Calculation of the VIX uses a ___ \_\_\_ of S&P options. The variance swap rate is calculated immediately prior to and after ___ days. The VIX is the ___ \_\_\_ of the two variance rates.
Calculation of the VIX uses a **weighted avg** of S&P options. The variance swap rate is calculated immediately prior to and after **30** days. The VIX is the **square root** of the two variance rates.
39
The VIX ___ \_\_\_is the geographical representation of the relationship between prices of vix futures contracts and their settlement dates.
The VIX **term structure** is the geographical representation of the relationship between prices of vix futures contracts and their settlement dates.
40
The term structure of the VIX is generally in \_\_\_.
The term structure of the VIX is generally in **contango**.
41
A ___ \_\_\_ is a derivative contract that transfers the risk between two parties that the average correlation among a set of stocks differs from the swap's strike correlation.
A **correlation swap** is a derivative contract that transfers the risk between two parties that the average correlation among a set of stocks differs from the swap's strike correlation.
42
Correlation swap payoff (equation)
Swap Notion Value \* (Avg Corr - Strike Corr)
43
Empirical research shows that implied correlations tend to be ___ relative to historical correlation.
Empirical research shows that implied correlations tend to be **overpriced** relative to historical correlation.
44
Owning a correlation swap during a crises is typically \_\_\_.
Owning a correlation swap during a crises is typically **profitable**.
45
To make a ___ trade, sell the volatility of the index and buy the volatility of the index components.
To make a **dispersion** trade, sell the volatility of the index and buy the volatility of the index components.
46
A ___ spread is a combination of long calls and short calls on the same underlying asset with the same expiration date but different strike prices. It is a type of skew spread.
A **vertical** spread is a combination of long calls and short calls on the same underlying asset with the same expiration date but different strike prices. It is a type of skew spread.
47
A ___ \_\_\_is a vertical spread with unequal numbers of long and short option positions.
A **ratio spread** is a vertical spread with unequal numbers of long and short option positions.
48
A ___ vertical spread is created using the same number of long and short positions
A **pure** vertical spread is created using the same number of long and short positions
49
A ___ spread is buying at the money puts and selling out of money puts and benefits if the asset value \_\_\_.
A **bear** spread is buying at the money puts and selling out of money puts and benefits if the asset value **declines**.
50
A ___ spread trade is buying at the money calls and selling out of the money calls and benefits if the underlying asset value \_\_\_.
A **bull** spread trade is buying at the money calls and selling out of the money calls and benefits if the underlying asset value **increases**.
51
\_\_\_ \_\_\_occur because differences between implied volatilities of options with different strike prices. To exploit these differences, a traditional vertical spread strategy ___ OTM options with higher IV than at the money options.
**Volatility skews** occur because differences between implied volatilities of options with different strike prices. To exploit these differences, a traditional vertical spread strategy **sells** OTM options with higher IV than at the money options.
52
Vertical spreads commonly used in equities with delta hedging involve ___ ATM puts and \_\_\_OTM puts.
Vertical spreads commonly used in equities with delta hedging involve **buying** ATM puts and **selling** OTM puts.
53
A ___ spread trade is a combination of long calls and short calls on the same underlying asset with the same strike but different expiration dates.
A **horizontal** spread trade is a combination of long calls and short calls on the same underlying asset with the same strike but different expiration dates.
54
Horizontal spread trades have ___ exposure to changes in the underlying assets than vertical spread trades.
Horizontal spread trades have **less** exposure to changes in the underlying assets than vertical spread trades.
55
For a horizontal spread trade, if the short-term option IV is expected to increase relative to the long-term option IV, then the strategy ___ the short-term options and ___ the longer-term options.
For a horizontal spread trade, if the short-term option IV is expected to increase relative to the long-term option IV, then the strategy **buys** the short-term options and **sells** the longer-term options.
56
Payoffs on horizontal spread trades is ___ certain than vertical spread trades.
Payoffs on horizontal spread trades is **less** certain than vertical spread trades.
57
An \_\_\_-\_\_\_ option spread involves a long option position in one asset and a short option position in another asset.
An **inter**-**asset** option spread involves a long option position in one asset and a short option position in another asset.
58
Inter-asset option spreads are ___ when volatility is high and ___ when volatility is low.
Inter-asset option spreads are **high** when volatility is high and **low** when volatility is low.
59
\_\_\_ is an option prices' sensitivity to a unit change in the underlying asset's volatility or the option's IV.
**Vega** is an option prices' sensitivity to a unit change in the underlying asset's volatility or the option's IV.
60
Vega (Equation)
61
The ___ \_\_\_index is designed to extract the volatility or correlation risk premium.
The **short volatility** index is designed to extract the volatility or correlation risk premium.
62
The ___ \_\_\_index is designed to profit during market declines.
The **long volatility** index is designed to profit during market declines.
63
The ___ \_\_\_ \_\_\_index is designed to capitalize on volatility mispricings.
The **relative value volatility** index is designed to capitalize on volatility mispricings.
64
The ___ \_\_\_ ___ index is designed to protect against large broad market declines
The **tail risk hedge** index is designed to protect against large broad market declines
65
Long volatility and tail risk indices are ___ volatile than short volatility or long volatility indices.
Long volatility and tail risk indices are **more** volatile than short volatility or long volatility indices.
66
Relative value, short and long volatility strategies have ___ correlations.
Relative value, short and long volatility strategies have **low** correlations.
67
Relative value volatility strategies have ___ net vega exposure.
Relative value volatility strategies have **small** net vega exposure.
68
Long volatility funds tend to have ___ correlation with tail risk funds.
Long volatility funds tend to have **high** correlation with tail risk funds.
69
Long volatility strategies are ___ aggressive than tail risk strategies.
Long volatility strategies are **less** aggressive than tail risk strategies.
70
Unlike tail risk funds, long volatility funds (do/ do not) have a mandate to provide protection at all times.
Unlike tail risk funds, long volatility funds **do not** have a mandate to provide protection at all times.
71
A ___ \_\_\_is defined as an event/occurrence that deviates beyond that which is expected and that is extremely difficult to predict.
A **black swan** is defined as an event/occurrence that deviates beyond that which is expected and that is extremely difficult to predict.
72
Long volatility strategies have a ____ drag on performance due to ____ costs.
Long volatility strategies have a **large** drag on performance due to **high** costs.