VIX closed below 14 yesterday for the first time since February 1, 2018. This study examines what happens next to the stock market (historically) when VIX closes below 14 for the first time in at least 3 months.

Here are the historical dates:

Here's what happened next to the S&P 500

March 21, 2016

This occurred AFTER the S&P 500 had already finished its “significant correction”. The correction's bottom was already in. The S&P swung sideways for the next 3 months before rallying higher.

January 4, 2013

This occurred AFTER the S&P had already finished its 8.8% “small correction”. The correction's bottom was already in. The S&P 500 continued to rally higher nonstop.

August 13, 2012

This occurred AFTER the S&P had already finished its 10.9% “small correction”. The correction's bottom was already in. The S&P began another “small correction” 1 month later, but the stock market's downside was limited.

June 23, 2004

This occurred BEFORE the S&P had finished its 8.8% “small correction”. The correction's bottom was not in, and the stock market made a marginal new low. But the important thing here is that the stock market's downside was limited.

June 28, 1996

This occurred near the beginning of the S&P 500's 11% “small correction”. This historical case doesn't really apply to today because the S&P has already made an 11.8% “small correction”.

May 19, 1992

This occurred AFTER the S&P had already finished its 6.8% “small correction”. The correction's bottom was already in. The stock market swung sideways over the next 5 months, but trended higher over the next 6-8 months.

November 13, 1991