Volatility Is So Volatile Lately

Interesting graphy from my friend Duncan Stewart of the volatility of the current market volatility –- the slope of the VIX, as it were. Here are his comments on the graph (and click it for a larger version):

I find it interesting that even on a smoothed basis so far this year the volatility of the volatility hit some good spikes in January, March and July (9-13% spikes) but since September we have been sustainably in the 8-12% area (and that is smoothed!)

In other words, the market really is this volatile!