Reading the Curve: How Implied Volatility Skew Reveals Institutional Intent Before the Market Moves
The volatility smile is rarely just a mathematical artifact — it is a map of institutional conviction drawn in real time across the options chain. Understanding how to decode disparities in implied volatility across strike prices can give active traders a meaningful edge before directional breaks materialize. This article examines the mechanics behind skew distortions and how to construct trades around them.