Skip to Content

Get Composer for $0/month!New pricing plans + new referral program.See what's new

Symphonies
Volatility Index Black Swan Catcher
Today’s Change
—

A symphony is an automated trading strategy — Learn more about symphonies here

About

Daily crash‑catcher for tech/semis. Uses a temperature gauge (RSI) and volatility to flip between 3x long, 3x short, cash‑like T‑Bills, or a bonds/volatility basket. Includes a Double‑Pop dip‑buy/overheat‑hedge. Very aggressive; expect big swings.
NutHow it works
It watches market fear (VIXM). If fear spikes, it shifts to crash‑mode. Then it checks QQQ and semiconductors (SMH) “temperature” (RSI = a quick score of how hot/cold recent moves are) over 10/20/30 days: hot → 3x inverse (SQQQ/SOXS), cold → 3x long (TQQQ/SOXL), in‑between → T‑Bills (BIL) or a bonds/volatility mix. If no spike and stocks look firm, a Double‑Pop module buys 3x tech/semis after sharp drops, but hedges with VIX (UVIX) or inverse tech when rallies run hot. Bond checks (BND vs SPY; IEF vs TLT) guide when to prefer the bonds/vol basket. Rebalances daily.
CheckmarkValue prop
Out-of-sample edge: Sharpe ~1.35 vs SPY ~1.34; annualized return ~66% vs ~21%; Calmar ~1.44. Dynamic hedges + 3x tech exposure target bigger upside with disciplined risk control—albeit larger drawdowns than SPY.

Loading backtest data...

Invest in this strategy
OOS Start Date
Dec 14, 2022
Trading Setting
Daily
Type
Stocks
Category
Tactical, momentum, mean-reversion, volatility, leveraged etfs, risk-on/risk-off, market timing, bonds, technology, semiconductors
Tickers in this symphonyThis symphony trades 20 assets in total
Ticker
Type
BIL
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF
Stocks
BND
Vanguard Total Bond Market
Stocks
IEF
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF
Stocks
QQQ
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Stocks
SHY
iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF
Stocks
SMH
VanEck Semiconductor ETF
Stocks
SOXL
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF
Stocks
SOXS
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3X ETF
Stocks
SPY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Stocks
SQQQ
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ
Stocks

FAQ

A Composer symphony is an automated trading strategy that executes trades based on parameters of your choice. Some symphonies are similar to holding one ETF in normal conditions and rotating to a different ETF when market conditions shift, for example a 5% drop in the S&P 500, while others use complex rules with dozens of triggers. However, complex doesn’t always mean better. A simple, well-structured symphony can be just as effective as an intricate one. Learn more about how symphonies work here.

"Volatility Index Black Swan Catcher" is currently performing the same as yesterday today. Performance updates in real time during market hours.

"Volatility Index Black Swan Catcher" is currently allocated toUUPandTMV. Holdings automatically adjust as market conditions change based on the strategy's rules.

Year-to-date, "Volatility Index Black Swan Catcher" has returned 65.76%. You can adjust the performance chart above to view returns across different time horizons.

The maximum drawdown for "Volatility Index Black Swan Catcher" is 45.78%. The maximum drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline. It's an important metric to evaluate risk and the strategy's behavior during market stress.

To invest in "Volatility Index Black Swan Catcher", simply click the Invest button on this page. You'll need to open an account with Composer if you don't have one yet, then you can start investing. Composer will automatically execute the trades for you based on the strategy's rules. Composer also supports trading individual stocks, ETFs, and options.
[email protected]

Securities products and brokerage services are offered by Composer Securities LLC, a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and member of FINRA / SIPC. Composer Securities LLC and Composer Technologies Inc. are separate but affiliated companies. Accounts are carried and securities execution, clearance and settlement services are provided by Alpaca Securities LLC, and Apex Clearing Corporation, SEC-registered broker-dealers and members of FINRA / SIPC. Alpaca Securities is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AlpacaDB, Inc. Apex Clearing Corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apex Fintech Solutions Inc. Check the background of Composer Securities LLC, Alpaca Securities LLC, and Apex Clearing Corporation on FINRA BrokerCheck . This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities or open a brokerage account in any jurisdiction where Composer Securities is not registered. Securities products offered by Composer Securities are not FDIC insured

With any investment, your capital is at risk. The value of your portfolio with Composer can go down as well as up. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. By using this website, you accept our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Payment Agreement.

Please see Composer Securities' Customer Relationship Summary.

Keep in mind, investing involves risk. Examples are for illustrative purposes and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Online trading has inherent risk due to system response, execution price, speed, liquidity, market data and access times that may vary due to market conditions, system performance, market volatility, size and type of order and other factors. An investor should understand these and additional risks before trading.

Options trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option with Composer Securities LLC, please read the "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options," also known as the Options Disclosure Document (ODD). You can access the ODD by clicking here. Options transactions are often complex and can expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. In some cases, you may lose your entire investment in a relatively short period. Furthermore, certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed your original investment amount.

Please read important legal disclosures.

Composer Securities does not provide tax advice. This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with a qualified tax professional before making any investment decisions.

The cash sweep program is made available in coordination with Apex Clearing Corporation through Composer Securities. Please read the Important Disclosures for more information.

Composer Securities is a member of SIPC, which protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash). Explanatory brochure available upon request or at www.sipc.org. SIPC does not protect against market losses.

Securities products are: Not FDIC insured · Not bank guaranteed · May lose value

Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners and do not represent endorsements of any kind. Unless otherwise noted, Composer Technologies Inc., Composer Securities LLC, and its affiliates are not partners, affiliates, or licensees of these companies.

© 2026 All rights reserved.