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Around 12:35PM on Wednesday just 90 minutes prior to Bernanke & Co. released the ‘official' outlook on the US economy a large options trade was placed in a benchmark bond ETF. The Lehman 20+ Yr. Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) saw heavy options action in the form of what looks like a bearish leaning straddle trade.
January 115 PUT
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January 115 CALL
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Traditional Straddles employ the use of buying an ATM call and ATM puts where the buyer's expectation is increased volatility (in either direction). In effect, one side goes worthless while the other side increases in value theoretically netting out in a gain. Generally, volatility must increase a substantial amount fast and buyers should also be concerned that this expectation may already be priced in.
Profit/Loss TLT 115 Straddle
In today's case, the large option trade can be broken down into a bet on treasury volatility with a bullish bias on bond yields. TLT reflects the price of bonds, which trades inverse to yields. Effectively, the buyers of the bearish straddle expect rates to increase, either in the short-term or certainly before January. As of now the total investment is around 11.5 million, a hefty gamble to make 90 minutes before the FED statement.
TLT 3 Month Chart with Implied Volatilities 30, 60 90
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Tag >> Fed Meeting
Following expiration, this next week is filled with landmines, regardless of your bullish/bearish bias. The Fed has a meeting this week and will arguably be discussing the economy, green shoots and the potential inflation on the horizon. There are a smattering of earnings reports too, and let's not forget we are entering the 'confessional period', where companies who may miss their earnings step up and make it known. I doubt there will be much action there as earnings estimates were taken way down. On the economic front, durable goods will be watched closely along with income/spending figures. Home sales are early in the week, looking for another robust sign of a bottom, while sentiment is out later in the week.