Should I adjust position size before Housing Starts?
VixShield Answer
Yes adjust your position size before Housing Starts. This release often spikes VIX 1-2 points and widens SPX bid-ask spreads which directly hurts iron condor fills and delta stability.
Keep core size at 50% of normal on the day prior and through the print. If VIX sits below 15 reduce further to 30% because the low-vol environment amplifies the relative impact of any surprise move. Use the ALVH filter: only run full size when VIX is above 18 and the 10-day ATR on SPX is contracting. Otherwise stay light.
Wing-width management stays fixed at 50-60 points on the 45 DTE iron condors you trade. Do not widen wings to chase credit before the number. Smaller size plus standard wings keeps defined risk consistent and prevents one Housing number from dominating monthly P&L.
Reassess size thirty minutes after the release once VIX mean-reverts. This disciplined pre-event scaling is the single highest edge adjustment you can make around macro data like Housing Starts.
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