VIX bucks norm again, rises with rally
Chris McKhann | chris.mckhann@optionmonster.com
VIX:
SEE CHART
GET CHAIN
FIND STRATEGIES
The CBOE Volatility Index, VIX futures, and S&P 500 were all higher at the end of yesterday's session, suggesting that concern is creeping back into the market even as it rises.
The VIX ended the day at 15.99, up 0.04 points after falling to 15.48 just before lunch. The S&P 500 finished the day up 7 points to 1401, its first close above 1400 since May 2. The two indexes typically move inversely, but they have departing from that norm in the last two sessions.
The August VIX futures were up 0.80 points, or 4.75 percent, to 17.65. The September futures climbed 0.70 to close at 19.70.
The VIX options traded 269,000 contracts, 204,000 of which were calls. The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) saw more than 184,000 options change hands, but 110,000 puts dominated that activity.
Related Stories
VIX Stocks pull back after intraday records
May 21, 2013
Equity indexes were mixed but little-changed at the end of yesterday's session, but the CBOE Volatility Index and its futures were higher.
VIX Videocast: Late May action in VIX pits
May 20, 2013
As stocks resume their record rally, GroupOne's Jamie Tyrrell says there is a surprisingly level of activity in the VIX pits ahead of the May settlement on Wednesday.
VIX Another record close for stock indexes
May 20, 2013
Stocks continued to melt higher on Friday, with the Nasdaq 100 as the only major equity index not in record territory. The CBOE Volatility Index was down 4.74 percent to 12.45.
VIX Videocast: Traders shift as VIX drops
May 17, 2013
As the volatility index falls with today's rally, GroupOne's Jamie Tyrrell says traders are no longer looking for crash protection in May contracts and are buying June VIX calls instead.
VIX Videocast: View of VIX before settlement
May 16, 2013
GroupOne's Dominic Salvino, filling in for Jamie Tyrrell, says VIX traders are targeting the 13 or 14 level ahead of May settlement next week.