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The Relative Value Framework: Understanding Volatility in Context

The Relative Value Framework: Understanding Volatility in Context

Aired On

Nov / 03 / 2025 - 2:00 pm - EST

Mathew Cashman
OCC , The Options Industry Council (OIC)

Options don’t exist in a vacuum – and neither does volatility. This session explores how traders and investors can use relative value as a lens to interpret implied volatility, historical volatility, and the relationship between the two. By expressing volatility levels as ratios rather than absolutes, we’ll outline a practical framework for comparing different assets, identifying dislocations, and spotting possible trading opportunities – without needing to predict market direction.

We’ll cover:

• The difference between historical and implied volatility

• How to calculate and interpret IV/HV ratios

• Why ratios can matter more than levels

• How those ratios move over time – and why

• Examples of applying this framework across multiple assets

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Disclosure: Options Trading

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