Navigate Fast Moving Markets and Manage Risk with Interactive Brokers

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Navigate Fast Moving Markets and Manage Risk with Interactive Brokers

Investors can use Cboe's futures suite as a tool for risk management and to capitalize on markets.

Whether you are looking to express your view on the future direction of equity market volatility with VIX® or find a capital efficient way to trade the U.S. high yield and corporate bond market with iBoxx®, Cboe® futures can provide solutions.

What Is the VIX® Index
and How Is it Calculated?

Cboe revolutionized investing with the creation of the Cboe Volatility Index® (VIX® Index), the first benchmark index to measure the market's expectation of future volatility. The VIX Index is based on S&P 500® Index options, considered the leading indicator of the broad U.S. stock market. The VIX Index is recognized as the world's premier gauge of U.S. equity market volatility.

The VIX Index estimates expected volatility by aggregating the weighted prices of S&P 500 Index (SPX℠) puts and calls over a wide range of strike prices. Specifically, the prices used to calculate VIX Index values are midpoints of real-time SPX option bid/ask price quotations.

Learn more about the VIX Index

Lowest Cost1

Commissions

VIX®

USD 0.25 to 0.85

plus exchange and regulatory fees


Mini VIX®

USD 0.10 to 0.25

plus exchange and regulatory fees

What the VIX® Index Tells Us About the S&P 500 Index

Like all indices, the VIX Index is a measurement tool. It's a calculation that's designed to produce a measure of constant, 30-day expected volatility of the U.S. stock market.

Use this VIX calculator to see the market's expected range of the S&P 500 over the next 30 days.

VIX® & Mini VIX® Futures

VIX futures (VX) provide market participants with the ability to trade a liquid volatility product based on the VIX Index methodology, which reflects the market's estimate of the value of the VIX Index on various expiration dates in the future. Market participants may employ a variety of volatility trading strategies, including risk management, alpha generation, and portfolio diversification.

VIX Futures Contract Specifications

At 1/10th the size of the standard VIX futures contract, Mini VIX futures (VXM) are based on the VIX Index and designed to provide additional flexibility in volatility risk management and greater precision when allocating among smaller managed accounts.

Mini VIX Futures Contract Specifications

VIX Futures and Mini VIX futures are complicated financial products that are suitable only for sophisticated market participants. Before trading VIX Futures and Mini VIX futures it is important to understand the complexity and associated risks, which are fully described at www.cboe.com/us_disclaimers. Please read carefully before investing.

Strategies

  • Portfolio Hedging

    The VIX Index has had a historically strong inverse relationship with the S&P 500® Index. Long exposure to volatility may offset an adverse impact of falling stock prices.

  • Risk Premium Yield

    Market participants may use VIX futures to capitalize on the general difference between expected (implied) and realized (actual) volatility, and other types of volatility arbitrage strategies.

  • Long/Short Volatility

    VIX futures provide a pure play on the level of expected volatility. Express a long or short sentiment by buying or selling VIX futures.

  • Term Structure Trading

    CFE lists nine standard (monthly) VIX futures contracts, and six weekly expirations, offering a wide variety of calendar spreading opportunities depending on expected implied volatility.

What are iBoxx futures?

Unlock new trading opportunities with listed Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® Corporate Bond Index futures and options on futures. Designed to leverage the deep and liquid iShares ETF ecosystem, these contracts provide institutional investors with a simple, fast, and capital-efficient way to express a view, enhance trading strategies or manage exposure to the broad U.S. high yield and investment grade corporate bond market.

iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index (IBHY)

The iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index is designed to reflect the performance of US Dollar denominated high yield corporate debt, offering broad coverage of the USD high yield liquid bond universe. The Index is an integral part of the global iBoxx index family, which provides the marketplace with accurate and objective indices by which to assess the performance of bond markets and investments.

Learn more about IBHY

iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index (IBIG)

The iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index is designed to reflect the performance of US Dollar (USD) denominated investment grade corporate debt, offering broad coverage of the USD investment grade liquid bond universe. The Index is an integral part of the global iBoxx index family, which provides the marketplace with accurate and objective indices by which to assess the performance of bond markets and investments.

Learn more about IBIG

Lowest Cost1

Commissions

iBoxx iShares $ High Yield
Corporate Bond Index (IBHY)

USD 0.25 to 0.85

plus exchange and regulatory fees


iBoxx $ Investment Grade
Corporate Bond Index (IBIG)

USD 0.25 to 0.85

plus exchange and regulatory fees

Features and Benefits

  • Capital Efficiency

    Gain unparalleled capital efficiency with lower initial margin requirements and potentially better 60/40 tax treatment.2

  • Easy to Short

    Enter a short position as easily as a long position, free from securities shorting regulation.

  • Enhanced Transparency

    Trade with confidence using exchange traded, centrally cleared products. No complex ISDA or bilateral agreements, reducing counter-party risk.

  • Broad U.S. Corporate Bond Exposure

    Quickly add or remove exposure to the corporate bond market.
    1 IBHY contract = +2500 high yield bonds
    1 IBIG contract = +1100 investment grade bonds

  • UCITS Eligible

    Corporate Bond futures and options may potentially be UCITS eligible unlike most U.S.-listed ETFs.

  • Price Discovery

    See real-time prices and source liquidity on- and off- screen via central limit order books, block trades, and ECRP.

Comparison of Credit Products

IBHY/IBIG Futures IBHY/IBIG Options ETFs ETFs Options TRS CDX
Unfunded
Interest
Rate Risk
Can Be Shorted Borrow must be located
Exchange Traded
Constituents IBHY: ~1,100
IBIG: ~2,500
IBHY: ~1,100
IBIG: ~2,500
HY: ~1,100
IG: ~2,500
HY: ~1,100
IG: ~2,500
HY: ~1,100
IG: ~2,500
HY: ~1,100
IG: ~2,500
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Disclosures:

Options and Futures: Options and Futures are not suitable for all investors. The amount you may lose may be greater than your initial investment. Before trading options read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Before trading futures, please read the Security Futures Risk Disclosure Statement.

  1. Lowest Cost Broker according to StockBrokers.com Online Broker Survey 2023: Read the full article Online Broker Reviews, May 18, 2023. "Because Interactive Brokers' core clientele are professional traders and institutional investors (e.g., hedge funds), it is crucial to provide the lowest commissions schedule available. In our rigorous assessment, there is no question Interactive Brokers delivers."
  2. Under section 1256 of the Tax Code, profit and loss on transactions in certain exchange-traded options, including SPX Options, are entitled to be taxed at a rate equal to 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss, provided that the investor involved and the strategy employed satisfy the criteria of the Tax Code. Investors should consult with their tax advisors to determine how the profit and loss on any particular option strategy will be taxed. Tax laws and regulations change from time to time and may be subject to varying interpretations.

    Trading in futures and options on futures is not suitable for all market participants and involves the risk of loss, which can be substantial and can exceed the amount of money deposited for a futures or options on futures position. You should, therefore, carefully consider whether trading in futures and options on futures is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources. You should put at risk only funds that you can afford to lose without affecting your lifestyle. For additional information regarding the risks associated with trading futures and options on futures and with trading security futures, see respectively the Risk Disclosure Statement Referenced in CFTC Letter 16-82 and the Risk Disclosure Statement for Security Futures Contracts. Certain risks associated with options, futures, and options on futures and certain disclosures relating to information provided regarding these products are also highlighted at cboe.com/us_disclaimers.

    The iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index and the iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index (“iBoxx iShares $ Corporate Bond Indices”) are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates or licensors (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use by Cboe Exchange, Inc. iBoxx®, S&P®, “S&P 500® and “Dividend Aristocrats® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”) and has been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices; and these trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P DJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Cboe Exchange, Inc. Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index futures and options on futures and Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index futures and options on futures are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P DJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the iBoxx iShares $ Corporate Bond Indices.

    The iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index and the iBoxx® iShares® $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index (the “Indexes”), futures contracts on the Indexes and options on futures contracts on the Indexes (“Contracts”) are not sponsored by, or sold by BlackRock, Inc. or any of its affiliates (collectively, “BlackRock”). BlackRock makes no representation or warranty, express or implied to any person regarding the advisability of investing in securities, generally, or in the Contracts in particular. Nor does BlackRock make any representation or warranty as to the ability of the Index to track the performance of the fixed income securities market, generally, or the performance of HYG, LQD or any subset of fixed income securities.

    BlackRock has not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the fixed income securities that comprise the Indexes (“Underlying Data”). BlackRock is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amounts of the Contracts, or the timing of the issuance or sale of such Contracts or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Contracts are to be converted into cash (if applicable). BlackRock has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Contracts. BlackRock does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the Underlying Data and any data included therein and BlackRock shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions related thereto.

    BlackRock makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by S&P DJI, the parties to the Contracts or any other person with respect to the use of the Underlying Data or any data included therein. BlackRock makes no express or implied warranties and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Data or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall BlackRock have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) resulting from the use of the Underlying Data or any data included therein, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

    iShares® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Fund Advisors and its affiliates.


Cboe Disclosures:

  • There are important risks associated with transacting in any of the Cboe Company products or any digital assets discussed here. Before engaging in any transactions in those products or digital assets, it is important for market participants to carefully review the disclosures and disclaimers contained at: www.cboe.com/us_disclaimers.
  • These products and digital assets are complex and are suitable only for sophisticated market participants.
  • These products involve the risk of loss, which can be substantial and, depending on the type of product, can exceed the amount of money deposited in establishing the position.
  • Market participants should put at risk only funds that they can afford to lose without affecting their lifestyle.