Despite a recent uptick to a more normal level near 16, the Cboe Volatility Index has averaged around just 12.8 over the past 30 trading days as of July 18, indicating relative calm in U.S. equities.

The "fear index" is rising, which signals investors expect more S&P 500 volatility ahead. The Buffett indicator is near an all-time high and is approaching a level Buffett once said is "playing with ...

Volatility is important for position sizing, determining risk, calculating stops and profit-targets, and rebalancing portfolios. Average true range is a useful measure for position sizing in futures ...