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Use the Implied Volatility Viewer
Use the Implied Volatility Viewer to see option volatility plotted against a range of user-specified strike prices for different Last Trading Days. Available for all stock, index and futures contracts that have options.
- Adjust display and other frequently used settings using the right-click menu within the chart.
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Study the model volatility surface of contracts in 3D. Display the model surface together with individual option IV points, or compare the current surface with any historical value by plotting them together. Click and drag the plot to rotate the view, and scroll within the plot to zoom. Expand the "Extra plot controls" to show contour and value lines and manipulate scaling using sliders.
- Use the right-click menu to open such tools as the Crosshair and tooltip display and to import and export curves.
- Use the wrench configuration icon to define other settings.
- To zoom in, use scroll bars or draw a rectangle on the chart to zoom to that area.
The Implied Volatility Viewer has two modes: Remote Server and Local PC.
Remote Server mode - In this mode, the model Implied Volatility is calculated on the server side, based on the entire volatility surface for the selected underlying. This computation includes all options in the related option chains that have a valid quote. In Remote Server mode, you cannot access the Edit menu nor can you make any changes to assumptions used in the model.
Local PC mode - In this mode, the model Implied Volatility is calculated on the based only on options loaded in TWS. In this mode, you have access to the Edit menu and can modify the interest and dividends and the loaded basket contract.
Remote Server Mode
3D Volatility Surface Webtool
Click the "3D" button on the Implied Volatility Viewer to view. Grab and move the 3D image with your mouse.
Local PC Mode
Use the Configuration menu for more settings:
- Strike axis shared - When checked all curves use the same Strike axis along the bottom of the graph. If unchecked, curves are charted separately each with their own Strike axis.
- Strikes relative to forward price - If checked, the strike axis shows the value relative to the forward price of each vol curve. If unchecked, the axis displays the actual strike prices.
- Show Legend - If Midpoint and/or the bid/ask are displayed, the legend in the top right corner identifies the icons used for them.
- Highlight strike points near cursor - When checked, the strike points are shown as easy to see colored balls along the curves as you move your cursor along them.
- Highlight curves on mouse hovering - When checked, curves are highlighted in white when the cursor is over them.
- Include prices in export - When exporting the chart, if checked the prices are also included along with the volatilities.
- Connect forward price with related curve - Uses vertical lines from the Strike axis to connect forward prices with the related curve. Only available if "Strikes relative to forward price" is not checked.
- Connect at-the-money IV with related curve - Uses horizontal lines from the Volatility axis to connect at-the-money implied volatilities with the related curve. Only available if "Strikes relative to forward price" is not checked.
Default Domain Range
- Full Model
- IV Strikes
- set range
Tooltip Mode
- Compact - Shows the very basic for mouse-over tips.
- Verbose - Shows an expanded version of information for mouse-over tips.
Volatility Units
- Annual - Uses annual volatility
- Daily (business days) - Uses daily volatility
Color Scheme
- Automatic -
- Rainbow
- Gradient