Using our robust historical database here at Schaeffer's Investment Research, we conduct extensive research on each underlying equity and determined which of those underlying equities’ options have historically had underpriced or overpriced options. The Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard rankings are a reflection of this proprietary options-centric research.

Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) is a lagging indicator that measures a stock's realized volatility against the volatility expectations priced into that stock's options over the past year. Schaeffer's Investment Research's goal is to find which stocks have been the best -- and worst -- for premium buyers. The Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard can be a very useful tool for premium sellers too, as “the worst” for a premium buyer can be construed as “the best” for a premium seller.

Using Schaeffer's Investment Research's robust historical database, we conduct extensive research on each underlying equity and determine which of those underlying equities’ options have historically had underpriced or overpriced options. Schaeffer's Investment Research ranks each equity’s options relative to the others in our universe, with scores ranging from zero to 100.

For more information on how to use these scores, please review more specific instructions featured below the scorecard.

High Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) readings, on a scale of 0 to 100, indicate that a stock has consistently delivered bigger returns than its options implied volatility (IV) levels have predicted, meaning it may be a strong candidate for premium-buying strategies going forward according to Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Low Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) readings, going all the way down to zero, point to stocks that have consistently realized lower volatility than their options have priced in -- pointing to possible premium-selling candidates according to Schaeffer's Investment Research.

The Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard ranking system is updated weekly by Schaeffer's Investment Research to reflect the newest and most actionable trading insights.