TZA (Small Cap Bearish) is trading $22.69, up 0.3% (up?) with IV30⢠up 2.6%. The <a href="http://www.livevol.com/">LIVEVOL⢠Pro Summary</a> is <a href="http://livevol.blogspot.com/2010/11/tza.html">in the article</a>. <img src="http://www.livevolpro.com/help/images/blog/tza_summary.gif" /> ------------------------------------------------------------------- <a href="http://www.livevolpro.com/help/free_trial.html"><img src="http://www.livevolpro.com/help/images/blog/lvp_trial_ad.gif" height="200" /></a> For a limited time we are offering a FREE real-time trial to Livevol Pro⢠for non-professional traders. You can get your trial by following the directions here: <b><a href="http://www.livevolpro.com/help/free_trial.html">Click for Free Trial Offer</a></b> ------------------------------------------------------------------- The ETF has traded over 7,100 options on total daily average option volume of just 1,215. Calls have traded more than 2:1 to puts. The Stats Tab and Day's biggest trades snapshots are included (<a href="http://livevol.blogspot.com/2010/11/tza.html">in the article</a>). The Options Tab (<a href="http://livevol.blogspot.com/2010/11/tza.html">in the article</a>) illustrates that the action is spread all around in Nov. Note that Nov vol is up more than 3 points and Dec is up 1.9 points. The Skew Tab snap (<a href="http://livevol.blogspot.com/2010/11/tza.html">in the article</a>) illustrates the vols by strike by month. This is pretty cool b/c up means bearish so the skew looks backward though in reality it is how it should be. We can see a rather abrupt upward skew. I have included the Skew Tab from 9-1-2010, i.e. two months ago (<a href="http://livevol.blogspot.com/2010/11/tza.html">in the article</a>). We can see that a couple months ago the skew was less pronounced and in fact the back was more expensive than the front across all strikes. Hmm... Finally, the Charts Tab (6 months) is <a href="http://livevol.blogspot.com/2010/11/tza.html">in the article</a>. The top portion is the stock price, the bottom is the vol (IV30⢠- red vs HV20⢠- blue vs HV180⢠- pink). <img src="http://www.livevolpro.com/help/images/blog/tza_charts.gif" width="600" /> We can see the on the bottom portion that the IV30⢠has just now popped above both long-term and short-term realized vols. That combined with the skew chart now as compared with two months ago reflects the option market's general pricing of greater downside risk (upside in this bearish ETF). <b>Possible Trades to Analyze</b> This opportunity is all about comfort with the broader market. If you feel like the downside in the market (upside in this ETF) is in fact "in play", then this is nothing more than an, "Oh, I see..." But, if you think the market's downside isn't more risky, then selling that skew reveals a potential opportunity. 1. Sell the Nov 28/29 1x2 call spread @ $0.25 credit. This is safe until TZ goes past $30.25, then it's naked upside. This trade also wins if "nothing happens" or if the market has an abrupt down day but the ETF doesn't really get too close to the 29 level. This trade really is more like a "get out of the way" trade. The lower strikes yield a larger credit but are definitely more risky. 2. Naked sales of the skew are also in play, though more risky. 3. A 1x2 put spread (maybe 18/19) for a credit is sort of a play the other way. I'm not in love with selling that part of the skew for obvious reasons. This is trade analysis, not a recommendation. Follow Live Trades and Order Flow on Twitter: @Livevol_Pro Details, trades, prices, vols, skews, charts here: <a href="http://livevol.blogspot.com/2010/11/tza.html">http://livevol.blogspot.com/2010/11/tza.html</a> Legal Stuff: <a href="http://www.livevolpro.com/help/disclaimer_legal.html">http://www.livevolpro.com/help/disclaimer_legal.html</a>