CHFJPY JPY volatility successfully quashed, options showThe price action in FX options since Thursday's U.S. CPI data reinforces expectations of official intervention, but also reflects its success in quashing related volatility and JPY weakness, at least for now.
The FX volatility upon which FX options thrive is an unknown, but key part, of their premium, so dealers use implied volatility as a stand-in. Implied volatility movements can therefore become a barometer for actual and perceived FX risks.
Very short-dated implied volatility reacts the most to realised FX volatility. The big jump for one-week USD/JPY implied volatility from 7.5 to 11.0 and benchmark one-month from 8.5 to 9.75 post-CPI matched price action seen amid prior interventions and sudden and significant spot losses.
There was also a big increase in the implied volatility premium JPY calls over puts, options that give holders the right to buy JPY versus sell it, as shown via option risk reversals contracts. The benchmark one-month 25 delta risk reversals have doubled their downside strike premium and keep it around 1.4 to highlight the simmering risk of further intervention
