Total option volume is strong again at 7.5 million contracts so far today, with the big indexes and ETFs dominating the action, optionMONSTER's data systems show.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund has 1.3 million options traded, with puts outpacing calls by almost 2 to 1. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) has seen 280,000 contracts trade, with puts slightly outpacing calls. Just behind are the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) options at 279,000, with slightly more calls than puts.
The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) has 243,000 contracts changing hands, with 170,000 puts. The PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) options have turned over 183,000 times, with 112,000 puts. Following are the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Note (VXX) options at 151,000, 83,000 of which are calls.
The SPDR Financial Fund (XLF) has 109,000 traded, with 68,000 puts. Just behind are the iShares Silver Fund (SLV) options at 108,000, 62,000 of which are puts.
Options Trading News
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Videocast: Traders bet on limits in VIX
May 24, 2013
Even as the VIX rises again today, Group One's Jamie Tyrrell says large traders are selling puts and calls in positions that are looking for the volatility index to stay between 13 and 16.
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Stock recover early losses; VIX at 14
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Equity indexes were mixed at the end of yesterday's session after recovering morning losses, quelling fears that the previous session's sharp selloff would continue. The VIX rose back above 14.
VIX
Videocast: Traders selling top in VIX
May 23, 2013
With today's surge in the volatility index, GroupOne's Jamie Tyrrell says traders are selling VIX calls at the 16 and 17 levels.
VIX
VIX, futures rise with market reversal
May 23, 2013
Equity indexes finally gave up some ground yesterday, pushing the CBOE Volatility Index and its futures higher. The Russell 2000 had the worst percentage loss of the equity indexes, down 1.65 percent.
VIX
Videocast: Parsing huge VIX volume
May 22, 2013
GroupOne's Jamie Tyrrell breaks down today's huge volume in volatility trading after the May VIX settlement came in right at expectations.
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