VIX-Curve Structural Momentum Hybrid
Family: hybrid · Regime: trending · Complexity: medium · Asset classes: Equities, Equity Indices · Timeframes: H1, H4, D1
Thesis
Market trends are most persistent when professional investors are willing to pay a premium for long-term protection (Contango) rather than short-term hedging (Backwardation). By entering momentum trades only when the VIX curve confirms structural stability, we filter out low-probability volatility-induced whipsaws. The edge is generated by combining this macroeconomic volatility filter with micro-momentum confirmation (RVI) and exhaustion-based entries (Stochastic).
Components
- VIX Curve Regime (Simple) (regime) — Acts as the primary structural filter; long positions are only favored when the term structure is in Contango (Ratio < 1.0).
- Rate of Change (ROC) (direction) — Ensures that entry is aligned with the medium-term price momentum.
- Stochastic Oscillator (entry) — Identifies short-term mean-reversion opportunities (pullbacks) within the broader trend.
- Heiken Ashi (Standard MT5) (exit) — Provides a smoothed trend-following exit to capture extended moves while filtering out minor counter-trend noise.
- GAS Price Levels (risk) — Calculates dynamic structural support/resistance levels for stop-loss placement and risk-adjusted sizing.
- Relative Vigor Index (RVI) (confirmation) — Confirms the conviction of the price move, ensuring that the close-to-range relationship supports the momentum.
- Average True Range (ATR) (volatility_filter) — Filters out periods of extreme low volatility (where moves lack follow-through) or extreme high volatility (where stops are likely to be hit by noise).
Known failure conditions
- VIX term structure stays in backwardation (Ratio > 1.0) for extended periods while price drifts higher.
- GAS Price Levels widen significantly during low-momentum ranges, creating unfavorable R:R ratios.
- The 12-period ROC produces excessive whipsaws in a high-volatility sideways market.
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