Volatility Views 10: Options Die A Little Every Day

Volatility Review:  Hit the bids and then hit the road?  Significant fear uptick.  Should VIX skew exist?  Commodities adjustments set volatility running.  Euro vol: simultaneous expiration of the June 1- and June 3-month VolContracts on Friday.  When do remaining time frames open the door for arbitrage opportunities?

Strategy Session:  If realized volatility is such a good way to capture and trade vol, what incentive is there to short a realized-vol product?

Mail Bag:  What are Mark and Don’s views of trading vol going into earnings?

Crystal Ball:  Super low realized vol for IBM. Euro vol expiration Friday.  Will “sell in May and go away”” apply here as well?