Rising VIX futures outpace spot index
Chris McKhann | chris.mckhann@optionmonster.com
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The CBOE Volatility Index advanced into the close yesterday as the S&P 500 slipped back into negative territory.
The VIX ended the day at 17.50, up 0.84 points, or 5.04 percent. That was well off of the morning high which saw it as high as 18.22 as the SPX was at its low under 1364. The two indexes usually move inversely.
The VIX futures were all higher. The July contracts outpaced the spot VIX, gaining 1.05 points, or 5.9 percent, to 18.75. The August futures were up 0.80 points to 21.
The VIX options traded 310,000 contracts, 239,000 of which were calls. The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) options were just behind at 298,000, with 172,000 puts.
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