Can you buy the VIX?

Can you buy the VIX?

Like all indexes, the VIX is not something you can buy directly. Moreover, unlike a stock index such as the S&P 500, you can't even buy a basket of underlying components to mimic the VIX. Instead, the only way investors can access the VIX is through futures contracts.

What is the best way to buy the VIX?

The primary way to trade the VIX is to buy exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) tied to the VIX itself. There are many popular ETFs and ETNs that relate to the VIX, including the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) and the VelocityShares Daily Two-Times VIX Short-Term ETN (TVIX).

What is the best VIX ETF?

iPath S&P 500 VIXOne of the most popular VIX ETFs is the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX). This product maintains a long position in first- and second-month VIX futures contracts, which roll daily.

Can you make money trading VIX?

Trading the VIX refers to making investments based on where the VIX itself is headed, which you can do by buying and selling futures contracts linked to the VIX or exchange-traded VIX products through your broker.