Why VIX Level Does Not Directly Reflect Volatility of Volatility
Summary
The document distinguishes the current VIX level from the behavior of VIX as market conditions change. VIX squared corresponds to a variance swap strike, and the answer uses an analogy with a stock whose current price does not depend on its instantaneous volatility parameter, even though its future changes and convex derivatives do. Applied to VIX, this suggests that volatility of volatility need not determine the current VIX squared in the way it affects the dynamics of that quantity.
Correlation can still influence changes in VIX squared when the underlying’s volatility depends on the underlying price. The response addresses the spot VIX rather than VIX futures and offers a conceptual explanation rather than a full derivation or hedge construction. It therefore does not establish how all model specifications or market instruments respond to volatility-of-volatility parameters.
Key ideas
- VIX squared represents a variance swap strike.
- A volatility parameter can affect future changes without determining the current level of an underlying quantity.
- Volatility of volatility can shape VIX dynamics even if it does not alter spot VIX directly.
- Correlation may influence VIX changes when underlying volatility is linked to the underlying price.
- The explanation concerns spot VIX, not VIX futures.
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# Effect of Vol-of-Vol on VIX # Effect of Vol-of-Vol on VIX What is the effect of vol-of-vol of an underlying on the VIX Index? The VIX is computed as hedging portfolio of log contracts to isolate pure volatility exposure without specifying an underlying stochastic process. On the other hand, I can assume and parameterize a stochastic process, such as the Black-Scholes or Heston model, and compute a vol smile. Using that vol smile, I can compute the VIX, and should get the nonparametric implied vol. In the BS-case, the result is trivial: The vol smile is flat, since the model assumes constant vol, and the VIX on that smile is exactly that. This is what I expect. In the Heston-case, I am struggling: There is no pure vol parameter, just parameters for the vol process (initial vol, long-term vol, pullback, vol-of-vol, and correlation to the stock price process). Varying the parameters deforms the generated vol smile and affects the level of the VIX on that smile. The volatility of the Heston model can be computed using the moment formulas of the Fourier transform. I expected the VIX to be exactly that. This vol computation behaves as expected, increases with long-term vol, increases with vol-of-vol if rho is positive and vice versa, and so forth. However: The VIX level completely ignores the vol-of-vol or correlation parameters. If I understand correctly, the VIX is a zero delta portfolio of strike-weighted constant dollar gammas. Isn't the gamma itself sensitive to vol-of-vol changes? Why/Why not? Is there any way to hedge this? ## Answer by user34971 (score 3, accepted) https://quant.stackexchange.com/a/45524 I assume you really mean the VIX and not the VIX future: Think about the BS model $dS = \sigma S dW$ for some constant vol $\sigma$. Does the current spot $S_0$ depend on $\sigma_0$? What does depend on $\sigma_t$ is of course the change in $S_t$, i.e. $dS_t$, and convex derivatives on $S$ such as a call option. Now replace $S$ by the variance swap strike (which is the VIX^2), and ask the same question where $\sigma$ is then now the vol of vol. On correlation: I think, again, the current value of the VIX^2 is what it is. But of course the change in the VIX^2 can certainly depend on correlation, e.g. when the vol of the underlying depends on the current spot level as well.
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