VIX derivatives, hedging and vol-of-vol risk

We study the empirical hedging performance of alternative VIX option pricing models. Recent advances in the literature find evidence of asymmetric volatility-of-volatility (similar to the leverage effect in equity markets), stochastic mean-reversion and jumps. Using such findings in our model framework, we show that while sophisticated models have superior pricing performance and can explain a range of stylized facts in the VIX derivatives market, their hedging performance is inferior to a simple Black model hedge. We also study the empirical performance of regime-dependent hedge ratio adjustments commonly applied in equity markets.