A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, U.S., February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidon Thursday was spurred by large trades in short-dated derivatives that piled selling pressure on the market, according to Nomura strategist Charlie McElligott.
Some 26,000 Feb 23 put options on S&P 500 e-minis futures with a strike price corresponding to the 4,000 level were bought early in Thursday’s session, McElligott said in a note. When a trader buys a put - an options contract that conveys the right to sell a security at a fixed price in the future - options dealers on the other side of the trade have to hedge their own risk by selling stock futures.
In addition, as the market declines the options dealers have to sell increasing amounts of stock futures to remain hedged. Those trades generated some $2 billion in selling pressure and likely contributed to the index’s intraday reversal, McElligot said. Selling pressure could rise to as much as $5 billion if market declines accelerate, he added.
The S&P 500, which rose as much as 0.9% early in the session, lifted by a strong sales forecast from chipmaker NvidiaLatest Updates
guess this is what we have to look forward to, since its virtually every day now. market has turned into a 100% gambling casino.
Tail wagging the dog.