By Steven M. Sears

Think of President Donald Trump as a large-capitalization stock with actively traded options that are volatile and hard to price. As unusual as that analytical framework might be, looking at Trump as an exchange-traded security might make his unpredictability easier to understand.

The simplest way to "securitize" Trump is to use the Cboe Volatility Index, or VIX, as a guide to making financial decisions based on his key moves. The market's so-called fear index could serve as a well-known market barometer to help investors better manage their positions, and their own emotional and intellectual reactions, as Trump uses tariffs to remake global trade and America's economy.

In early January, when investors still thought Trump's second term would make them richer, the VIX was sitting at a benign 16, implying the S&P 500 index would move 1%, up or down, each day over the next 30 days. The reading was misleading. If the VIX ever drops to the 16-to-19 range again -- let's call this the Good Trump VIX -- don't expect it to last. Investors should consider reducing portfolio risk, taking profits on options positions, and buying put options to prepare for stocks to plunge.

As investors began to understand that Trump was serious about tariffs, the VIX rose to around 60 on April 7, implying the S&P 500 would move 3.75%, up or down, over the next 30 days. Call it the Tough Trump VIX, and that is bad for stocks, but often not for long. When the VIX hits 60, a historically elevated level, investors are usually too afraid to think clearly, so profits are often realized by buying stocks, buying call options, and selling puts to prepare for a stock rally.

The VIX has since softened as Trump has somewhat eased his tariff implementation. It was recently around 30. At that level, it's telegraphing fears of an economic recession and implying daily S&P 500 moves of 1.875%. At around 25 to 35, the stock market is likely in what we could call the Trump Trading Range. The president could say something to boost stocks one day and clobber them the next.

This range favors options with short-term expirations, fast profit-taking, and slowness to take losses as Trump will likely say something to relieve market pressure. Remember how stocks reacted when he threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, only to walk it back?

Of course, this "VIX-ification" strategy should be refined and challenged. Ideally, the concept will be augmented by a forecasting company offering Trump policy contracts to provide real-time sentiment data that investors could reference to refine their stock and options positions.

Unfortunately for investors -- and maybe even Trump -- Wall Street has always struggled to price politicians and politics. Trump, who is dramatically unlike other presidents, is unusually difficult for investors to comprehend. Everything he says is taken literally, which makes the bond, stock, derivatives, and commodities markets unusually tumultuous. Investors are used to deferential treatment, and Trump is playing a different game.

Yet he has offered clues to how investors should interpret him.

Trump has stressed "the art of the deal." Dealmaking is never what it seems; no one starts with their best offer. There's a process. Investors seem to have forgotten that, because Trump's communication style is historically unprecedented. No other president has ever used social media to amplify his bully pulpit. Trump speaks directly to the people, bypassing media gatekeepers, spin doctors, and Wall Street's ruling class. This approach creates uncertainty and market volatility.

If investors allow themselves to reflect, rather than violently react to Trump, they will remember that volatility is understandable, and tradable, even when the underlying security isn't.

Email: editors@barrons.com

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April 30, 2025 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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