VIX

Oil volatility grinds lower

VIX declined since last month

Just over a month ago, volatility, as measured by the VIX index was around 26%, the highest reading since the Chinese slowdown scare of last August. The FTSE 100 was plunging, reaching its nadir of 5,500 in the morning of 11 February.

Further volatility expected

Russ Koesterich, chief investment strategist at BlackRock, examines which equity styles could thrive in the current turbulent market environment.

Investors rush for the exit amid China fears

The percentage of stocks borrowed by short sellers has fallen to the lowest level since before the financial crisis, as markets continue to rally.

REVIEW

Sebastian Lyon, manager of the Troy Trojan fund, has warned investors are becoming more complacent than they have been at any point since the financial crisis erupted, leaving them vulnerable to a shock event.

Managers are setting up portfolios for a pull-back in equity markets, looking at put options and moving more defensive as several indicators post sell signals.