Will a 29.30 VIX Placate the Crowd?

Until the past few days, I did not realize how many investors – or at least pundits – are of the opinion that the market cannot put in a bottom until the VIX spikes. True, the classic market bottom includes a dramatic drop, a spike in volume, and a spike in investor fear to purge even the most stubborn investors of their losing long positions. As I have stated previously, however, I am comfortable in my belief that a VIX spike strongly increases the likelihood of a bottom, but should not be considered a requirement, per se.

Consider, for a moment, that a VIX spike capitulation bottom may be one of those investment phenomena in which one’s individual assessment doesn’t matter. If enough people believe that A is a precondition for B and trade accordingly, just about any A can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Back to the VIX spike, we just hit 29.30 on the VIX a moment ago. While some were calling for the VIX to cross 30 to signal a market bottom, it is possible that the current level may be considered close enough to draw in those looking to play the oversold bounce card.

I have chosen to include a weekly chart of the VIX as a framework for evaluating the current VIX spike. It shows that a 20% deviation from the 10 week SMA has proven to be a fairly reliable timing device in the past. It remains to be seen whether that is the case today, but I am not anticipating a VIX spike over 30 between now and the next Fed meeting.