Move over, VIX. There’s a new volatility index in town, and this one’s all about bonds. CBOE Global Markets recently introduced the VIXTLT Index, a real-time gauge for the U.S. Treasury market’s next 30 days of expected volatility. Just as the VIX Index has become synonymous with tracking equity market nerves, the VIXTLT is here to give investors a pulse on how jittery the bond market is. By leveraging the same methodology that made the VIX a household name, this new index offers a fresh perspective on market volatility that could be a game-changer.
How Does VIXTLT Stack Up Against Its Equity-Focused Cousin?
The VIX measures the volatility of the S&P 500. The VIXTLT zeroes in on U.S. Treasuries, particularly those with maturities exceeding 20 years, via the highly liquid iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF TLT. The key difference? The VIX deals in percentage changes, while the VIXTLT measures volatility in basis points—a crucial distinction in the bond market, where even a tiny shift can have big implications.
The real magic happens when you compare the two. During periods of market stress, equities and bonds often move in opposite directions. Monitoring both VIX and VIXTLT can provide invaluable insights into how these asset classes react to one another. For instance, a spike in the VIX might signal panic selling in stocks, but if the VIXTLT remains stable, it could indicate that investors are flocking to the relative safety of bonds.
Beyond The VIXTLT: Complementing Your Volatility Toolkit
The VIXTLT isn’t just a standalone tool — it’s part of a broader suite of indices that help investors navigate market volatility. Alongside the classic VIX, consider keeping an eye on other volatility measures like the CBOE VVIX Index (which tracks the volatility of the VIX itself) or the ICE BofAML MOVE Index (which gauges U.S. bond market volatility across different maturities). Together, these indices can offer a more complete picture of market sentiment, helping you make more informed decisions.
In today’s unpredictable environment, where everything from Fed policy to geopolitical events can send shockwaves through the markets, the VIXTLT Index is a timely addition to CBOE’s growing volatility suite. Whether you’re trading stocks, bonds, or both, this new index provides another layer of insight into the complex dance of market volatility.
