The Measure of
Market Divergence
While VIX measures how much the market fears a storm, DSPX measures how differently the ships are steering.
Implied Correlation
DSPX is inextricably linked to Correlation.
Mathematically, the volatility of an index is reduced when its components move in opposite directions (diversification benefit).
If individual stock options are expensive (high vol) but index options are cheap (low vol), the market is implying that stocks will move independently. This drives DSPX up.
The "Dispersion Effect"
Consider two stocks: Stock A goes +5%, Stock B goes -5%.
- Index Return: 0% (Flat)
- Index Volatility: Low
- Dispersion (DSPX): Very High
The "Correlation Crash"
Consider a market panic: Stock A goes -5%, Stock B goes -5%.
- Index Return: -5% (Crash)
- Index Volatility (VIX): Very High
- Dispersion (DSPX): Collapses (Low)
DSPX vs. VIX: The Showdown
Why watching VIX alone leaves you half-blind to market conditions.
Fear Gauge
Systematic Risk
"How much will the S&P 500 swing?"
- 1Measures volatility of the entire basket as a single unit.
- 2Dominated by Macro Events: Interest Rates, Geopolitics, Recessions.
- 3When VIX spikes, stocks usually fall together.
Opportunity Gauge
Idiosyncratic Risk
"How much will stocks diverge from each other?"
- 1Measures the volatility of constituents relative to the index.
- 2Dominated by Micro Events: Earnings, Product Launches, CEO Changes.
- 3When DSPX spikes, stock pickers can outperform the index.
Deep Mechanics
Interpreting levels and historical context.
The Formula Logic
Sum(wi × σi²): The weighted average implied volatility of the 500 single stocks.
σindex²: The implied volatility of the S&P 500 index (SPX).
DSPX is essentially the "leftover" volatility that the index structure eliminates via diversification.
Historical Regimes
- Tech Bubble (2000):Record High DSPX. Tech stocks exploded while Old Economy stocks stagnated. Huge divergence.
- GFC (2008):Correlation went to 1. Everything crashed. DSPX was relatively muted compared to VIX.
- 2023 "Mag 7":High DSPX. The "Magnificent 7" rallied hard while the remaining 493 stocks were flat.
Reading the Levels
The Trader's Toolkit
How institutional investors monetize the spread between Index Volatility and Single Stock Volatility.
Long Dispersion
The Bet:
Stocks will move violently, but in different directions. The index will stay relatively flat.
The Trade:
- Short Index Straddle (Sell SPX Volatility)
- Long Constituent Straddles (Buy Apple/MSFT/etc Volatility)
Best Environment:
Earnings Season, M&A booms, Speculative bubbles.
Short Dispersion (Correlation)
The Bet:
Panic will strike, forcing all correlations to 1.0. Everything will crash together.
The Trade:
- Long Index Straddle (Buy SPX Volatility)
- Short Constituent Straddles (Sell Single Stock Volatility)
Best Environment:
Geopolitical Crises, Fed Rate Hikes, Systemic Banking Failures.
Portfolio Positioning
Adjusting your holdings based on the Dispersion Regime.
Macro Dominance
The "Rising Tide" environment. Individual company fundamentals are drowned out by broad economic factors.
Stock picking is frustrating and often yields low reward for the risk taken.
Passive Indexing (Beta)
Buy SPY, VOO, or Sector ETFs.
The Stock Picker
A balanced market. Good earnings are rewarded, bad earnings are punished. Correlations are moderate.
Diversification works well here—winners offset losers effectively.
Core & Satellite
Core Index holdings + Selected Active bets.
Alpha Paradise
Extreme differentiation. This often occurs during tech disruptions or when specific sectors decouple from the economy.
Buying the index is inefficient because half the index might be dragging down the other half.
Concentrated Active
Long/Short Equity, Hedge Funds.