ImpliedVolatility6m: Fetching 6-Month Implied Volatility Data

The ImpliedVolatility6m function in MarketXLS pulls the most recent (or a specific) 6-month implied volatility value for a specified ticker symbol. This helps traders and investors quickly analyze option pricing behaviors, assess market sentiment, and refine option-based strategies—all without leaving Excel.

Why Use This Function?

• Provides a quick snapshot of 6-month implied volatility for U.S. stocks and ETFs.
• Suitable for analyzing changes in option premiums and implied volatility over time.
• Helps investors evaluate potential price movements and manage risk.
• Assists with advanced option strategies by making 6-month implied volatility readily available for calculation.
• Convenient to use directly within Excel, streamlining workflow and analysis.

How to Use in Excel

=ImpliedVolatility6m(Symbol, [StartDate])

• Symbol (required) – The ticker symbol you want to get the 6-month implied volatility for (e.g., "AAPL", "TSLA").
• StartDate (optional) – The specific date (in Excel date format) for which you want to retrieve the implied volatility. If omitted or set to a date earlier than 1978, the function returns the most recent data from MarketXLS servers.

Simply enter the function in your Excel cell, passing the ticker symbol as the first argument. Optionally, include a date as the second argument to fetch implied volatility specifically for that date.

Parameters Explained

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. Retrieve the most recent 6-month implied volatility for Apple Inc.:
   =ImpliedVolatility6m("AAPL")
   • This returns Apple’s latest 6-month implied volatility, as stored in MarketXLS data feeds.

2. Fetch 6-month implied volatility for Tesla with today’s Excel date in B2:
   =ImpliedVolatility6m("TSLA", B2)
   • If B2 contains a valid date (for instance, "2023-06-30"), the function attempts to return Tesla’s implied volatility for June 30, 2023.

3. Get implied volatility for Microsoft on a specific date typed directly:
   =ImpliedVolatility6m("MSFT", "01/01/2023")
   • Returns the 6-month implied volatility for Microsoft on January 1, 2023, if data is available. Otherwise, "NA" will be displayed.

Advanced Scenarios

• Combine With Other Excel Functions:
=IF(ImpliedVolatility6m("AAPL")>0.30, "Above 30%", "Below 30%")
• Quickly classify implied volatility thresholds and highlight high-volatility stocks that may warrant closer attention.

• Risk Management with Historical Dates:
=ImpliedVolatility6m("SPY", "12/31/2022")
• Compare implied volatility from a past date to today’s reading, identifying how volatility has shifted over time for broader market ETFs.

• Option Strategy Planning:

• Use ImpliedVolatility6m values to refine strategies like iron condors, straddles, or covered calls by focusing on the mid-term implied volatility outlook.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

• Why am I getting “NA”?

• The symbol may be invalid, the date might not have data in the MarketXLS database, or your license may not be valid.
• Check that the ticker is correct.
• Verify you have a valid MarketXLS subscription and that Excel is properly authenticated.

• Can I pass any date format?

• Generally, Excel date formats work fine. MarketXLS automatically converts them when making the request. If you see issues, try using a standard date format such as “YYYY-MM-DD”.

• How can I confirm the data is up-to-date?

• MarketXLS refreshes data at regular intervals; the function retrieves the latest available data. If you need specific historical data, ensure you supply a valid date for which MarketXLS has records.

Remember:

• The function streamlines mid-term implied volatility analysis for U.S. stocks and ETFs.
• Combine it with other Excel features for thorough option and risk assessments.
• If data is unavailable or the symbol is invalid, you’ll receive “NA”.
• This function is powerful when researching trends or constructing multi-leg option strategies for your portfolio.