Will Low Volatility Persist, What are the Reasons for Low Volatility?

Will this low volatility persist and can a large market decline happen in this environment?

Aaron Brown recently published an article in which he pointed out that a large jump in realized volatility happens only when the VIX is above 20.

…the important thing is that there aren’t big surprises at low levels of the VIX. Realized volatility has never been above 20 percent starting from a VIX that is under 12 percent. And the really high realized volatilities are almost all starting from when the VIX is above 20 percent.

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This is consistent with our own studies. We observed that a large decline in the stock market happened only when the SP500 is below its 200-days moving average. In the past, there was only 1 instance when this was not true.

low volatility in oil

A. Brown concluded:

… both realized volatility and the VIX are at low levels, but not unprecedentedly low levels. Looking at what happened in the past starting from these VIX levels, it seems unlikely that we’ll get realized volatility above 20 percent at least over the next month. I’m not claiming a switch to a period of high volatility or a stock market crash is impossible. I’m saying that the evidence provides an argument that dramatic moves are unlikely anytime soon rather than a warning sign of an impending crisis. Read more

From a qualitative point of view, Schroders chief economist and strategist Keith Wade thinks that this low volatility environment can persist for some time to come. He pointed out 3 main reasons for the subdued level of volatility:

There appears to be “some complacency” in market expectations of the degree of Fed tightening,
Sharp falls in the commodity in 2014, 2015 and again in 2016 caused volatility to jump as investors became worried about an increase in defaults in the energy sector. But more recent drops in the oil price have failed to lead to a spike in the VIX,
China also appears to be of less concern to investors after the authorities regained control over the Renminbi by reining in capital outflows. The currency has appreciated recently as foreign exchange reserves stabilized. Read more

The economist also noted:

The next shock to markets may not be driven by the Fed, oil or China. It could be geopolitical in origin, for while political risks may have eased in Europe they are building in Asia where tensions between the US and China will rise if North Korea does not ease back on its nuclear weapons programme

In summary, this low level of volatility can last for a while. And be careful when the VIX goes above 20.