Total option volume has picked up at 8 million contracts so far today, with bearish sentiment in the primary indexes and ETFs, optionMONSTER data systems show.
More than 1.3 million options have traded in the SPDR S&P 500 Fund (:SPY) as puts eclipse calls by 2 to 1. Next up is the CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) at 605,000 options, with calls outpacing puts by more than 4 to 1. Following is the S&P 500 Index (:SPX) at 450,000 also with a put/call ratio topping 2 to 1.
The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (:IWM) has 382,000 contracts changing hands, with 265,000 puts. The PowerShares QQQ Trust (:QQQ) has volume of 285,000, with 166,000 puts. Just behind is the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Note (VXX) at 280,000 options, led by 171,000 calls.
The iShares Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) has seen 261,000 contracts turn over, dominated by 241,000 puts. The U.S. Oil Fund (USO) has 228,000 options moving, with 142,000 calls.
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