Total option volume is strong on this expiration Friday with more than 7.3 million contracts changing hands, though optionMONSTER's data systems show mixed action in the major indexes and ETFs.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (SPY) takes the top spot as usual on the volume list with 916,000 contracts. Interestingly, the volume is evenly split between calls and puts.
The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) has 269,000 options traded, led by 195,000 calls. Next up are the SPDR Gold Shares Fund (GLD) contracts at 233,000, with calls outpacing puts by more than 3 to 1. The S&P 500 Index (:SPX) options have traded 178,000 times, with a put/call ratio of 3 to 1.
The iShares Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) has 169,000 options changing hands, with 92,000 puts. Just behind are the iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) contracts, also with a put/call ratio of 3 to 1. At the same volume are the PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) options, though in that name calls just outpace puts.
The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has 113,000 options traded, with 68,000 puts.
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