Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) IV/HV History

Comparing implied volatility to historical (realized) volatility reveals whether options are priced rich or cheap relative to actual price movement. Persistent gaps can signal trading opportunities.

Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically the Asset Management industry, with a market capitalization near $7.13B, listed on AMEX, carrying a beta of 1.26 to the broader market. Seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks in the consumer discretionary sector. public since 2004-01-30.

Snapshot as of May 15, 2026.

Spot Price
$384.94
ATM IV
21.5%
HV 20-Day
14.9%
HV 60-Day
23.2%
IV Rank
46.2%
IV Percentile
67.9%

As of May 15, 2026, Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) ATM implied volatility is 21.5%. 20-day realized volatility is 14.9%, producing an IV-HV spread of +6.6 vol points. Options are pricing in more volatility than the stock has recently delivered, the volatility risk premium. IV rank is 46.2%.

How VCR iv/hv history Data Feeds Strategy Selection

Strategy selection on Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF options does not derive from any single metric in isolation. The iv/hv history view above sits inside a broader read: ATM IV currently sits at 21.5% and dealer gamma exposure is positive, so dealer hedging is mechanically mean-reverting. Combine the iv/hv history data here with the volatility-skew surface, dealer-gamma exposure, max-pain level, and upcoming-events calendar to build a positioning thesis. Risk-defined structures (credit spreads, debit spreads, iron condors) are usually safer than naked positions while the regime is uncertain; the data on this page anchors the inputs but does not by itself constitute a trade thesis.

Learn how implied vs realized volatility is reported and how to read the data →

Frequently asked VCR iv/hv history questions

Is VCR options pricing rich or cheap right now?
As of May 15, 2026, Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) ATM IV is 21.5% against 20-day realized volatility of 14.9%. IV rank is 46.2%. VCR options are pricing in more volatility than the stock has recently realized: a positive variance risk premium worth 6.6 vol points.
What is the VCR variance risk premium?
The variance risk premium is the persistent gap between implied and subsequently realized volatility. In equity markets it averages positive because option sellers demand compensation for bearing variance shocks. VCR is currently priced consistently with this premium, which is one input to whether short-vol or long-vol structures carry their typical edge.
What does VCR IV rank mean for strategy selection?
IV rank normalizes the current ATM IV to its 1-year range: 0% is the low, 100% is the high. VCR's current rank of 46.2% signals where current pricing sits in its own 1-year history. High-rank regimes typically favor premium-selling structures (credit spreads, condors, covered calls); low-rank regimes typically favor premium-buying or long-volatility structures.