The Cboe Volatility Index - more commonly referred to as the "VIX Index" - is an up-to-the-minute market
estimate of expected volatility that is calculated by using real-time S&P 500®Index (SPX) option
bid/ask quotes. Only SPX options with Friday expirations are used to calculate the VIX Index. The VIX
Index is calculated between 2:15 a.m. CT and 8:15 a.m. CT and between 8:30 a.m. CT and 3:15 p.m. CT.
Only SPX options with more than 23 days and less than 37 days to the Friday SPX expiration are used to
calculate the VIX Index. These SPX options are then weighted to yield a constant, 30-day measure of the
expected volatility of the S&P 500 Index.
Multiplier
$100
Strike (Exercise) Prices
Generally, minimum strike price intervals are as follows:
$0.50 where the strike price is less than $15,
$1 where the strike price is less than $200, and
$5 where the strike price is greater than $200
Premium Quotation
VIX
Stated in points and fractions, one point equals $100. Minimum tick for series trading below $3 is 0.05 ($5.00); above $3 is 0.10 ($10.00).
VIXW
Stated in points and fractions, one point equals $100. Minimum tick for all series, regardless of price level, is 0.01 ($1.00).
Expiration Date
The Expiration Date (usually a Wednesday) will be identified explicitly in the expiration date of the
product. If that Wednesday or the Friday that is 30 days following that Wednesday is an Exchange
holiday, the Expiration Date will be on the business day immediately preceding that Wednesday.
Contract Expirations
Up to six (6) expirations and up to 12 standard (monthly) expirations in VIX options may be listed. The
six weekly expirations in VIXW options shall be for the nearest weekly expirations from the actual
listing date and standard (monthly) expirations in VIX options are not counted as part of the maximum
six weekly expirations permitted for VIXW options.
Exercise Style
European - VIX/VIXW options generally may be exercised only on the Expiration Date.
Last Trading Day
The business day prior to the Expiration Date of each contract expiration. When the Last Trading Day is
moved because of a Cboe holiday, the Last Trading Day for an expiring VIX/VIXW option contract will be
the day immediately preceding the last regularly scheduled trading day.
Settlement of Option Exercise
The exercise-settlement value for VIX/VIXW options (Ticker: VRO) shall be a Special Opening Quotation
(SOQ) of VIX calculated from the sequence of opening prices for regular trading hours for the SPX
options used to calculate the index on the settlement date. The opening price for any series in which
there is no trade shall be the average of that option's bid price and ask price as determined at the
opening of trading. Click here for Settlement Information for VIX/VIXW options.
The "time to expiration" used to calculate the SOQ shall account for the actual number of days and
minutes until expiration for the constituent option series. For example, if the Exchange announces that
the opening of trading in the constituent option series is delayed, the amount of time until expiration
for the constituent option series used to calculate the exercise settlement value would be reduced to
reflect the actual opening time of the constituent option series. Another example would be when the
Exchange is closed on a Wednesday due to an Exchange holiday, the amount of time until expiration used
to calculate the exercise settlement value would be increased to reflect the extra calendar day between
the day that the exercise settlement value is calculated and the day on which the constituent option
series expire.
The exercise-settlement value will be rounded to the nearest $0.01. Exercise will result in delivery of
cash on the business day following expiration. The exercise-settlement amount is equal to the difference
between the exercise-settlement value and the exercise price of the option, multiplied by $100.
Position and Exercise Limits
No position and exercise limits are in effect.
Customer Strategy-Based Margin
Purchases of puts or calls with 9 months or less until expiration must be paid for in full. Writers of
uncovered puts or calls must deposit / maintain 100% of the option proceeds* plus 20% of the aggregate
contract value (current (spot or cash) index value x $100) minus the amount by which the option is
out-of-the-money, if any, subject to a minimum for calls of option proceeds* plus 10% of the aggregate
contract value and a minimum for puts of option proceeds* plus 10% of the aggregate exercise price
amount. (*For calculating maintenance margin, use option current market value instead of option
proceeds.) Additional margin may be required pursuant to Exchange Rules 12.3(h) and 12.10.
Customer Portfolio Margin
VIX/VIXW options are eligible for a portfolio margin account. VIX/VIXW options are accommodated in the Broad-Based Index Volatility Indexes Product Group (500), with a 75% offset with the other classes contained in that Product Group. The magnitude of the valuation point range under Cboe Rule 12.4 (Portfolio Margin) for VIX/VIXW options held in a portfolio margin account is +/- 20%. The price of the VIX futures contract with a corresponding expiration will be used to calculate theoretical gains and losses for VIX/VIXW options. Additional margin may be required pursuant to Exchange Rule 12.10.
CUSIP
12497K100
Trading Hours
Global
2:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Central time (Chicago time). 1
Regular
8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Central time (Chicago time).
Expiring VIX/VIXW options do not trade during global trading hours on their Expiration Date.