$ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF(VIXM)$ $ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF(VIXM)$ $Baidu(BIDU)$ $KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF(KWEB)$ $Apple(AAPL)$ 🚨🗞️🔥🇺🇸Navigating the Storm: Tariff Turmoil, Market Volatility, and Strategic Plays in $VIXM and $VIXY 🇨🇳📰🔥🚨

🗓️ 09Apr25 🇳🇿🕟 As I settle in with a strong latte and my trading setups alive with movement, I find myself captivated by the sheer velocity of today’s market. There’s a shift in the flow, a surge in momentum, and a pulse running through price action that signals something major is unfolding. This isn’t just noise, it’s the kind of session where direction pivots in seconds and volatility writes the rules!

🇺🇸 The White House’s announcement of a staggering 104% additional tariff on China 🇨🇳 , effective as of 12:00 PM ET today, has ignited a firestorm in the financial world! This bold escalation, prompted by China’s steadfast refusal to lift its 34% tariff on U.S. goods, has thrust us into a new chapter of the trade war, one that promises to reverberate through markets with unrelenting force. China’s vow to “fight until the end,” as reported by Fox Business, only adds fuel to the flames, setting the stage for a volatile showdown that traders like myself just can’t ignore.

🔴🔴🔴

Market Whiplash, The First Domino Falls

The market’s initial reaction was nothing short of dramatic. The S&P 500 surged +4.5% on the heels of China’s defiant stance, a rally that spoke to a fleeting burst of optimism or perhaps a miscalculation of the news’ implications. Yet, as I watch the ticker, that exuberance has crumbled.

In JUST a mere two hours, over $1.5 trillion in market value has evaporated, with the S&P 500’s daily gains nearly wiped out❗️

Now teetering just 45 points from turning red, the index paints a stark picture of fragility, a rollercoaster ride that underscores the raw power of uncertainty in today’s trading landscape.

😨🟡😱

Fear Factor, Decoding the VIX Surge

This brings me to the heart of the matter, volatility!Enter the Volatility S&P 500 Index, or $VIX, a metric I’ve come to view as the market’s pulse during times of unrest.

Known colloquially as the “fear gauge”, the VIX captures the market’s expectation of 30-day forward volatility, derived from the implied volatility of S&P 500 index options.

When fear grips Wall Street, and the world 🌍, whether sparked by geopolitical strife, economic shifts, or, as today, trade policy bombshells, the VIX rises, offering a window into the collective psyche of investors.

At its current reading of ⚠️ $46.94, as evidenced by the one-minute candlestick chart before me, the VIX is screaming that we’re in turbulent waters.

Historically, it hovers around a long-term average of 20, with levels above 30 signalling distress. At ⚠️ 46.94, we’re well beyond that threshold, a testament to the market’s unease.

🟢🟢🟢

Reading Between the Candles, A Technical Snapshot

Peering into the chart, I see more than just a number. The VIX’s recent trajectory reveals a sharp upward move, culminating at ⚠️ $46.94 around the 00:12 timestamp.

The candlesticks, green flickers amid red, tell a story of volatility asserting itself since midday, very likely triggered by the tariff news breaking at 12:00 PM ET.

Technical overlays deepen the narrative, the price has surged above the 13 EMA (blue), 21 EMA (yellow), and even the longer-term 240 EMA (orange), a trio of signals hinting at bullish momentum in volatility.

The pink Bollinger Bands, meanwhile, have widened, with the price kissing the upper band, a classic sign of heightened market turbulence. This isn’t just noise, it’s a clarion call that volatility is here to stay, at least for now.

🛠️🔵🧰

The Volatility Toolbox, $VIXM and $VIXY in Focus

So, where do I turn as a trader seeking to navigate, or profit from, this storm?

That’s where $VIXM and $VIXY come into focus, two exchange-traded products (ETPs) that let me tap directly into the VIX’s movements.

$VIXM, an exchange-traded note (ETN), tracks the VIX Mid-Term Futures Index, offering exposure to volatility expectations spanning four to seven months.

$VIXY, an exchange-traded fund (ETF), zeroes in on the VIX Short-Term Futures Index, tethered to front-month futures.

Both rise when the VIX climbs, but their flavours differ.

$VIXY thrives on immediate jolts, perfect for capturing today’s tariff-driven spike.

$VIXM suits a bet on prolonged uncertainty, say, if this trade war drags into April, when additional tariff collections begin.

🟠🟠🟠

Strategic Choices, Short-Term Panic vs Long-Term Hedge

Given today’s chaos, I’m inclined to see both as compelling plays.

The tariff escalation and China’s retaliation could keep markets on edge for weeks, if not months, making $VIXM a potential hedge against a drawn-out saga.

Yet, the S&P 500’s $1.5 trillion wipeout in two hours screams short-term panic, aligning with $VIXY’s strengths!

I could go long on either, or both, betting that the VIX has room to run from ⚠️ $46.94, especially if the S&P 500 tips into the red.

Stocks like $BIDU, $AAPL, and $KWEB, already taking hits from China exposure, reinforce the volatility case, though I’d short those separately if I weren’t focused on the VIX trade.

⚠️⚠️⚠️

A Word of Caution, The VIX Trap

But I pause to reflect, these aren’t simple buy and hold instruments.

VIX ETPs are notoriously complex, plagued by contango in futures markets that can erode gains over time.

At ⚠️ $46.94, the VIX is already elevated, perhaps much of the fear is priced in.

Timing matters. I’d watch for a dip toward the 21 EMA or the middle Bollinger Band as a safer entry, balancing risk with reward.

Position sizing would stay tight, respecting the leverage and volatility these products wield.

And if I’m holding equities, a long $VIXM or $VIXY position could double as a portfolio shield, softening the blow of further drops.

🔎🧭🔍

Zooming Out, Navigating the Storm with Precision

As I step back, the bigger picture sharpens.

Today’s tariff bombshell isn’t just news, it’s a catalyst reshaping the market’s risk profile.

The VIX, at ⚠️ $46.94 and climbing, is my compass, and $VIXM and $VIXY are my tools.

Yet, I know the game demands more than instinct.

📰👀 I’ll keep my eyes glued to the news, any hint of de-escalation could flip this script, and my charts, ready to pivot as the data shifts.

For now, I’m buckled up, poised to ride this storm with calculated precision, knowing that in volatility lies both peril and opportunity!

✅✅✅

Conclusion

Markets move fast, and so must I. Before jumping in, I’ll double-check my analysis and risk parameters, because in this arena, knowledge is power, and discipline is survival.

📢 Don’t miss out! Like, Repost and Follow me for exclusive setups, cutting-edge trends, and insights that move markets 🚀📈 I’m obsessed with hunting down the next big movers and sharing strategies that crush it. Let’s outsmart the market and stack those gains together! 🍀🍀🍀

Trade like a boss! Happy trading ahead, Cheers, BC 📈🚀🍀🍀🍀

@TigerStars @TigerWire @TigerPicks @Tiger_comments 

# 💰 Stocks to watch today?(12 May)

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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  • Kiwi Tigress
    ·04-08
    TOP
    This is the kind of post that actually adds signal in a sea of noise. Clean, relevant, and written like someone who trades with their eyes open. Respect BC🫡
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    • Barcode
      🐪 Happy hump day, where the trend is your friend unless it bends, may your midweek moves deliver gains not ends! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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    • Barcode
      🙏 Appreciate that KT. In this market, noise is the default and clarity is the differentiator. I am always aiming to surface what matters most, and your support sharpens the process 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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  • Hen Solo
    ·04-08
    TOP

    Great article BC, really enjoyed this one. Felt timely and well thought out! The tariff news is certainly dominating the headlines worldwide and it's great to be able to keep abreast of the news with you sharing your amazing insights! 💜

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    • Barcode
      🐪 Happy hump day, where the trend is your friend unless it bends, may your midweek moves deliver gains not ends! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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    • Barcode
      🙏 Thanks HS, I really appreciate your thoughtful comment. The VIX often acts as the pressure gauge for sentiment, and right now it is telling a powerful story. Always great to have your perspective in the mix 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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  • Tui Jude
    ·04-08
    TOP
    This was a strong post BC. Clear, relevant, and kept my attention the whole way through. I’m struggling to keep up with the news on tariffs all the time, so thank you for the update! 💕
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    • Barcode
      🐪 Happy hump day, where the trend is your friend unless it bends, may your midweek moves deliver gains not ends! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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    • Barcode
      🙏 Thanks TJ, really glad the post cut through. Volatility instruments like the VIX are easy to overlook, but they often front run major market turns. I will keep distilling the signal as cleanly as possible 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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  • Just when you think it’s turning around, Trump drops another bombshell 📰🇺🇸🇨🇳📉📉📉 those Vixie look like a great play! 😻
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    • Barcode
      🙏 Spot on CCW. Every time markets find footing, geopolitics throws another curveball. VIX-related plays like VIXY are starting to look more like necessity than hedge in this environment. Volatility is no longer a side plot, it is centre stage!
      04-09
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    • Barcode
      🐪 Happy hump day, where the trend is your friend unless it bends, may your midweek moves deliver gains not ends! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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  • Tui Jude
    ·04-08
    TOP
    Trump Trump Trump, that’s the news every day. My KiwiSaver has taken an absolute beating! What’s next?
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    • Barcode
      🐪 Happy hump day, where the trend is your friend unless it bends, may your midweek moves deliver gains not ends! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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    • Barcode
      🙏 Totally with you TJ. The headlines have been relentless, and the macro pressure is squeezing KiwiSaver allocations in ways we haven’t seen in years. What comes next may well depend on volatility control, not just direction!
      04-09
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  • Ah_Meng
    ·04-08
    TOP
    The fun has begun! [Sly][Chuckle][Evil] Should I just say I knew it but yet I didn’t do enough about it… [Facepalm][Spurting]
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    • Barcode
      🙏 Appreciate the honesty AM, that feeling is all too familiar. Spotting it is the first battle, but positioning for it is the edge. You are definitely not alone there!
      04-09
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    • Barcode
      🐪 Happy hump day, where the trend is your friend unless it bends, may your midweek moves deliver gains not ends! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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  • Growl Meow
    ·04-09
    TOP
    An insightful read-thanks Barcode
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    • Barcode
      🐪 Happy hump day, where the trend is your friend unless it bends, may your midweek moves deliver gains not ends! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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    • Barcode
      🙏 Thanks GM, really glad you found it insightful. The VIX is a complex but powerful barometer, and decoding it right now can make all the difference. Appreciate you tuning in! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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  • Great article, would you like to share it?

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    • Barcode
      🐪 Happy hump day, where the trend is your friend unless it bends, may your midweek moves deliver gains not ends! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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    • Barcode
      🙏 Thanks CCW, I really appreciate you sharing the post and helping keep the community informed. Your engagement adds real value, especially when volatility is front and centre. It is traders like you who keep the conversation sharp & relevant! 🍀🍀🍀
      04-09
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