The Financial Conditions Composite Z-Score is a powerful tool designed to evaluate the relative tightness or looseness of financial conditions in the market. This indicator combines the z-scores of four key components—VIX (equity market volatility), MOVE (bond market volatility), ICE BofA High Yield Option-Adjusted Spread (BAMLH0A0HYM2), and ICE BofA Corporate Index Option-Adjusted Spread (BAMLC0A0CM)—to create an equal-weighted composite score.
How It Works:
Each component is normalized into a z-score over a user-defined lookback period (default: 80 days).
The composite z-score is the average of the four individual z-scores, providing a unified metric to evaluate overall financial conditions.
A positive composite z-score indicates tight financial conditions, while a negative z-score reflects loose conditions.
Visual enhancements include color-coded backgrounds:
Red when conditions are tight (z-score > 0).
Green when conditions are loose (z-score < 0).
Key Features:
Composite Z-Score: Summarizes financial conditions across credit spreads and volatility metrics.
Individual Z-Scores: Displays the z-scores of each component for deeper analysis.
Background Overlay: Aids in quickly identifying market phases (tight vs. loose conditions).
Customizable Lookback: Users can adjust the lookback period for z-score calculations.
This indicator is ideal for tracking market liquidity, risk appetite, and potential shifts in macroeconomic conditions. Traders and analysts can use it to gain insights into broader financial trends and inform strategic decisions for both risk and opportunity management.