2016 all over again?

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Market volatility is back – and investors expect more wild swings in the coming weeks and months as the U.S. presidential election closes in.

Regardless of who wins the Nov. 3 election, some market watchers say, markets are likely to grow more turbulent. Economic uncertainty resulting from the coronavirus pandemic still looms large, and the possibility of a delayed vote count due to a large number of mail-in ballots has also unsettled some investors. Moreover, a buildup of positions in big tech-related stocks has increased risk, as seen in a sharp market sell-off on Thursday.

“This is just a situation where all the conditions are ripe for an extraordinary profit” from volatility, said Jame

s McDonald, chief executive of Los Angeles-based hedge fund Hercules Investments.

The Cboe Volatility Index has climbed over the last two weeks, first as investors chased further upside in U.S. stocks through call options and then as they sought protection against a tumble in indexes at record highs. On Thursday, the VIX jumped to its highest level in nearly 10 weeks as the S&P 500 .SPX fell 3.5%.

Several investors say that the VIX could climb further as the election approaches, especially given that certain indicators show a tightening race. In betting markets, Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s lead over President Donald Trump has significantly narrowed, according to data from RealClearPolitics.

Indeed, second-month futures VXc2 on the Cboe Volatility Index , which expire in late October, point to expectations for bigger market moves around the election period. The gap between second-month futures and the VIX widened to a record high earlier this week.

GRAPHIC: Positioning for U.S. election volatility – here

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