JPM Volatility Skew

Implied volatility smile and term structure for JPM options. Explore how IV changes across strikes and expirations.

Volatility Smile

Implied volatility across strikes for the nearest expiration. Data from the public vol surface endpoint.

IV Term Structure

ATM implied volatility across expirations. Contango (rising) is normal; backwardation (inverted) signals a near-term event.

Understanding Options Skew

Options skew measures the difference in implied volatility between out-of-the-money puts and equidistant calls. The 25-delta skew compares the IV of a 25-delta put to a 25-delta call.

Steep skew: The market is pricing in higher demand for downside protection. This is typical of equity indices and individual stocks with tail risk.

Flat or inverted skew: Can indicate squeeze positioning, bullish sentiment, or heavy call buying driving up upside IV.

Term Structure Regimes

  • Contango (normal): Longer-dated options have higher IV than shorter-dated. Reflects time-value premium and normal uncertainty growth.
  • Backwardation (inverted): Near-term IV exceeds far-term. Signals an imminent catalyst: earnings, FOMC, FDA decision, or other binary event.
  • Flat: Uniform IV across the curve. Can indicate low conviction or a transition between regimes.