Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Aardvark Adventures -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bucky Katt who wrote (6055)	1/22/2009 9:09:17 AM
From: ~digs	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 7944

oh yeah.. just getting confirmation now (stemcells) nasdaq futures down 20pts now on MSFT surprise earnings (they weren't expected until after the bell) not sure what to expect today.. good luck

To: Bucky Katt who wrote (6055)	1/22/2009 12:52:03 PM
From: ~digs	Respond to of 7944

Standard & Poor's Launches S&P 500 VIX Futures Index Series news.prnewswire.com First indices based on futures prices to benchmark a volatility trading strategy NEW YORK, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's, the world's leading index provider, announced today the launch of the S&P 500 VIX Futures Index Series, a suite of investable indices that seek to model the outcome of holding a long position in VIX(R) futures contracts. The CBOE Volatility Index(R) (VIX) is a key measure of market expectations of near-term volatility conveyed by S&P 500 stock index option prices. The S&P 500 VIX Futures Index Series, developed in cooperation with Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), model returns from a long VIX futures position that is rolled continuously throughout the period between futures expiration dates. The total return version of the Indices incorporates interest accrual on the notional value of the Indices and reinvestment into the Indices. Interest accrues based on the three-month U.S. Treasury rate. The S&P 500 VIX Futures Index Series have a negative correlation with equity markets. The new Index Series is comprised of the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index and the S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index. * The S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index measures the return from a daily rolling long position in the first- and second-month VIX futures contracts, resulting in a constant one- month maturity profile. * The S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index measures the return from a daily rolling long position in the fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-month VIX futures contracts, resulting in a constant five-month maturity profile. "Indices comprised of futures contracts have been valuable in broadening access to alternative assets where the spot is difficult to trade," says Srikant Dash, Global Head of Research and Design at Standard & Poor's. "We expect the S&P 500 VIX Futures Indices to do the same for volatility." "We are pleased to collaborate with Standard & Poor's on ideas that further expand the utility of CBOE's highly successful volatility indexes," said Joe Levin, CBOE Vice President of Research and Business Development. "It's a testament to the practicality of these indexes that institutions now are calling for structured products based on a concept developed some 15 years ago."