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Normally, volatility begins to climb right away during July and August, eventually peaking in midOctober. Then it falls dramatically during the fall of the year, eventually ending the year not much above the July lows.
In election years, volatility changes a bit, but not tremendously. The vol low is about September 1st, and volatility remains high longer — into Thanksgiving – before finally declining somewhat in December.
Added VIX plot.
Note: The VIX has replaced the older VXO as the preferred volatility index used by the media. VXO was a measure of implied volatility calculated using 30-day S&P 100 index at-the-money options.