FxWirePro: GBP/JPY IVs highest among G10 FX space, capitalize on buzzing IVs and improve odds on options straps strategy

Please be noted that the nutshell showing the positively skewed IVs of GBP against JPY options has been showing well-balanced risks both upside and downside in 1m tenors, to indicate both puts and calls have been fairly priced in.

Whereas IVs of these tenors are just shy above 9.65% which is highest among G10 currency space, while higher IVs with positively skewed IVs signify the hedgers’ interest for both OTM call/put strikes. In usual circumstances, long option position needs higher IVs for significant change in vega. Options with a higher IV cost more. This is intuitive due to the higher likelihood of the market ‘swinging’ in your favor. If IV increases and you are holding an option, this is good.

Hence, we advocate weighing up above aspects in below option strategy, we eye on loading up with fresh vega longs for long-term hedging, more number of longs comprising of ATM instruments.

The aggressive volatility investors want to capture GBP should consider buying ATM put instruments and/or being long of the smile convexity, against ATM volatility.

Further GBPJPY upswings and/or abrupt weakness suggest building a directional strategies and volatility patterns at the same time.

Contemplating IV skewness and ongoing technical trend, we foresee the value of OTM calls would likely rise significantly as the IVs seem to be favoring long legs of ATM strikes. 

As a result, we believe in jacking up in long leg of the below option strategy:

Initiate longs of 2 lots of 1m at the money gamma call options, simultaneously, add long in 1 lot of at the money -0.49 delta put of 2m expiry. It is advisable to prefer European style options.

Currency Strength Index: FxWirePro's hourly GBP spot index has turned into -69 (which is mildly bearish), while hourly JPY spot index was at -82 (highly bearish) at 05:52 GMT. For more details on the index, please refer below weblink:

http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex.

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