Total option volume is just over 5.6 million contracts so far today, while calls again are very active in the indexes and ETFs, optionMONSTER's data systems show.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (SPY) has 921,000 options traded, led by 627,000 puts. The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) follows with 193,000 contracts, though puts just outpace calls in that ETF.
The S&P 500 Index (:SPX) options have turned over 160,000 times as 86,000 calls outpace puts in a rare occurrence here. The PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) has total volume of 132,000, with 70,000 calls outnumbering puts. The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) options have changed hands 94,000 times, with 59,000 calls.
The iShares Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) has 93,000 contracts trading, with puts outpacing calls by more than 3 to 1. The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) options total 71,000 contacts so far, including 44,000 calls. The SPDR Gold Shares Fund (GLD) has seen 50,000 options trade, with 34,000 calls.
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