Core Viewpoint - The article suggests a strategy of shorting the VIX index as a more certain approach to capitalizing on market downturns, rather than directly buying into the S&P 500, especially when the latter's valuation has not fully bottomed out [2][4]. VIX Index Overview - The VIX index measures the expected volatility of the S&P 500 over the next 30 days and is often referred to as the "fear index," serving as a gauge of market sentiment [3]. - Historically, regardless of significant risk events, the VIX index tends to stabilize at an average level after spikes, indicating a potential strategy of shorting the VIX at high levels and buying back at lower levels [3][4]. Strategy Comparison - Shorting the VIX focuses on "shorting market sentiment," requiring only a return to normal market conditions for profit, which is less complex than predicting stock price movements when directly buying the index [4]. - Directly buying the index requires a low valuation entry point, but markets may not wait for a complete downturn before rebounding, leading to missed opportunities [5]. Backtesting Results - The article presents backtesting results for various shorting strategies based on VIX levels, indicating that shorting above 30 and covering below 12 yields significant returns, albeit with long holding periods that can reduce annualized returns [12][11]. - A more relaxed strategy of shorting above 30 and covering below 20 shows quicker recovery opportunities, with some trades yielding 30%-40% returns in a short time frame [13][14]. Risk and Considerations - The strategy's risks include the potential for infinite losses if the VIX spikes unexpectedly, as it is not tied to a tangible asset like stocks [22]. - Costs associated with shorting the VIX through derivatives can introduce discrepancies in expected outcomes, particularly during volatile market conditions [22]. Summary of Strategy Characteristics - The strategy is characterized by strong certainty, relying on the recovery of market sentiment over time, with the potential for significant short-term gains [23]. - It is advisable to prepare for short-term losses and to exit positions when the VIX stabilizes around 25, as holding beyond this point may not be cost-effective [23].

Economic Data - The US Redbook retail sales increased by 7.4% year-on-year, with a four-week moving average of 6.5%, surpassing the previous value of 6.1%, indicating robust consumer spending [7][9] - March new home sales were annualized at 724,000 units, a month-on-month increase of 7.4%, marking the highest growth rate in 11 months [7][8] - March existing home sales were annualized at 4.02 million units, with a month-on-month decrease of 5.9%, the lowest growth rate in 28 months [7][8] - Initial jobless claims for the third week of April were 222,000, in line with expectations, with a four-week moving average of 220,000, showing a downward trend [8][11] - The New York Fed's weekly economic index was 2.7, with a 13-week moving average of 2.5, indicating an overall upward trend [8] Market Sentiment - The US Economic Policy Uncertainty Index (EPU) reported 398 points, with a seven-day moving average of 418 points, significantly down from a previous high of 703 [12][13] - Retail investor sentiment showed that 55.6% were bearish on the market, while 21.9% were bullish, with a bullish-to-bearish ratio of 0.39, a decrease from the previous value of 0.45 [12][15] - The Fear and Greed Index improved from 'extreme fear' to 'fear', closing at 35 points, with notable improvements in volatility metrics [12][17] Global Market Overview - Global equity markets rose by 3.9% last week, with developed markets up 4.1% and emerging markets up 2.7%, with the US stock market leading globally [16] - Gold's upward momentum has slowed, with a weekly increase of 0.1%, while Bitcoin surged by 11.7%, making it the best-performing asset class for the week [16] Industry Performance - Among 36 secondary industries in the US stock market, 32 saw gains, with significant increases in the automotive, semiconductor, and electrical equipment sectors [19] - The software services sector had the highest estimated daily fund strength at approximately $133.5 billion, indicating strong investor interest [26] S&P 500 Valuation - As of now, 180 companies in the S&P 500 have reported Q1 2025 earnings, with overall EPS exceeding expectations by 10.0%, higher than the five-year average of 8.8% and the ten-year average of 6.9% [10] - The S&P 500 PE (TTM) stands at 24.7 times, at the 34.2 percentile, slightly above the ten-year average of 24.5 times [10] - Forward PE increased from approximately 20.0 times to 20.8 times, a rise of about 4.0%, while Forward EPS slightly decreased from $265 to $264, a decline of about 0.4% [10]

市场情绪自3月20日持续调整，于4月18日下降至低点，数值为0.1。本周市场情绪指标在接近0轴处开始向上反弹，回升至0.5，数值较上周五(4/18)上升0.4，模型转多，市场 情绪有所缓和。 本周A股市场提示市场情绪有一定修复，较上周明显发生变化的指标有科创50成交占比、主力买入力量和期权波动率。主力流出速率减缓和VIX指标体现的恐慌程度减弱是本 周市场情绪回升的主要原因。 科创50成交占比、行业涨跌趋势性、主力买入力量和PCR结合VIX，分别代表了市场风险偏好程度下降，市场情绪不确定性增强，主力流出速度 减缓和期权市场恐慌情绪缓和。其他指标维持和上周一致的判断。 资金当前对成长高估值板块观点不确定性较强。 自上周科创50成交占比指标快速下跌至下轨以下后，本周科创50成交占比指标仍在持续下降。本周主力资金持续从科创板块 流出，累计净流出超过32亿人民币。 投资者信心逐渐恢复，市场的活跃度和投资者参与度都有了明显提升。 除了看到主力资金本周流出科创板，主力资金本周在全A仍然呈现净流出的态势，但流出速度较上周有 所减缓，主力流出主力买入力量指标有所回升。从主力资金净流出绝对量看，主力资金本周累计净流出超过370亿 ...