Should I adjust position size before GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel?
VixShield Answer
Before the GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel release, reduce your position size by 40-60 percent. This event frequently triggers sharp VIX spikes that expand iron condor wings and can breach your short strikes within minutes.
Current VIX level matters. If VIX sits above 18, cut size even more aggressively because implied volatility crush after the number can still produce violent directional whipsaw first. The ALVH methodology signals caution here: when anticipated event vol exceeds the recent 5-day average true range of SPX, position size must drop to protect the defined-risk profile.
Maintain at least 45-55 DTE on your iron condors so you keep enough extrinsic value to absorb the initial expansion. Use wider wings only on the reduced size. Once the number prints and VIX settles, you can reload the full size on the next setup.
Rule of thumb: never carry more than 2 percent of portfolio risk into a high-impact release like GDP. Scale back early, stay mechanical, and avoid revenge trading the post-release move.
Put This Knowledge to Work
VixShield delivers professional iron condor signals every trading day, built on the methodology behind these answers.
Start Free Trial →