Derek Devens, Neuberger Berman

Over our 12 years of managing equity index option solutions for a global client base, our strategies have worn many descriptors; Defensive, Lower Volatility, Lower Beta, Alternative and Hedged. Regardless of the moniker assigned, our index option solutions seek to supplement equity portfolio allocations with a combination of portfolio benefits including greater capital efficiency, higher risk/return efficiency, improved portfolio diversification and/or reduced drawdowns. The flexibility afforded by index option solutions can help solve some of the challenges facing allocators without making material changes to their portfolios such as a need for increased funding flexibility, seamless portfolio allocation shifts or lower cost structures to balance higher fee strategies.

Given prominence and durability of S&P 500 Index (SPX) options and the Cboe S&P 500 Volatility Index (VIX) franchises, both serve as cornerstones for our index option solutions. More specifically, our strategies employ systematic rebalancing methodologies to manage investor portfolio risks, i.e., volatility, delta, vega, etc., and enhance long-term returns. At scale, this requires stable and deep option/futures markets that can support the needs of the world's largest asset allocators. Hence, we believe no other index option product set can rival the contract versatility, operational stability, market depth or cost-efficiency of SPX and VIX derivative markets. In addition, the unique relationship between the SPX Index option market and the VIX Index provides beneficial transparency into risk-based pricing of potential market outcomes. In an industry where performance measurement and risk-management are of paramount importance, the VIX index provides investors with a means of distilling the SPX Index option market's view of equity risk into a single number that can be observed (calculated) in real-time. We have found that the long-standing efficacy of SPX and VIX derivatives markets has positioned them as the 'wholesale' market for equity risk across a variety of markets—said directly, most equity market product risk is or can be hedged back into SPX/VIX exposure.

Dennis Davitt, MDP

I do not believe "volatility" is an asset class. I feel strongly that volatility is a tool that is used to achieve portfolio/investment solutions. Thus, it is ironic, that I am writing this testimonial. Every Formula One mechanic has a great set of tools, and every Michelin Star Chef has quality cookware. The best in their craft use the best available tools of their trade. The CBOE volatility complex provides every world class portfolio manager with a similar set of financial tools.

At MDP we manage portfolios and created a Mutual Fund to help solve investors' problems. An advantage of the hedged equity and yielding equities arena is the skill set to use options to solve investors' problems. The CBOE is a key partner of ours and offers a suite of products that helps portfolio managers craft managed solutions.

The CBOE stands apart from the other exchanges both through its innovation and collaboration with clients. We primarily use what is commonly referred to as vanilla options at MDP and consider the SPX options complex as the mother sauce of all derivatives. All things volatility focused seem to be able to trace themselves to that product, both domestic and international.

The VIX is the best instrument to help us communicate with our investors about options market sentiment. In the development of the new products, the CBOE continues its tradition of pushing forward the frontier of innovation in the industry. None of this could take place without the CBOE staff listening to customers' needs and addressing them. When I started my career on the floor in 1992, the CBOE stood out from the other exchanges because they were able to list new strikes in an option class in 24 hours, unheard of at the time. This was due to movement in the underlying stock and customer demand, simple stuff nowadays, but transformative in 1992. We continue to see this sort of innovation. The crowds in the pits may no longer be present, but the wisdom of that crowd still exists at the CBOE.

Scott Maidel, QVR Advisors

See why and how QVR Advisors uses Cboe and other listed instruments exclusively to achieve an absolute return objective.

End users for product and hedging objectives dominate derivatives markets and are the marginal price setters. With end user flow continuing to flow to exchanges and with banks effectively ceasing to intermediate markets effectively, QVR has made the decision to stay in 100% listed markets for our absolute return strategy. Strategy sleeves such as S&P 500 term structure, S&P 500 skew, VIX basis, VIX Curve trades, dispersion trading and more can best be achieved in highly liquid, listed exchange traded instruments.