​Weekly: Buyside 2017 Awards Unveiled, Conditional Variance Spied

Volatility returned to the markets this week, with the CBOE VIX shooting up past 18 for the first time since June’s Brexit vote. Nervousness around central bank policy was the driving force of the behind the action, as moves in the Spoos did not necessarily justify the rally in the VIX. One hedge fund manager noted the potential for a range bound equity over the next three months made conditional variance attractive, however, other managers added the structures were risky to the downside. We also unveiled the lineup for next year’s awards ceremony, which will focus largely on hedge funds and institutional investors. Harold (Hal) Kelly, head of global convertible and derivative arbitrage at Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, will receive the outstanding contribution award, while the next inductees into the 2017 Volatility Investing Hall of Fame have also been announced.