Total option volume sits at 5.7 million contracts today as puts top the activity in major indexes and ETFs, optionMONSTER's data systems show.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (SPY) has 948,000 options traded, with a put/call ratio of 2 to 1. The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) follows with volume of 358,000 and a surprisingly similar put/call ratio.
The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) has 247,000 contracts turning over, led by 154,000 puts. The S&P 500 Index (:SPX) options have traded 214,000 times, with 144,000 puts.
The PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) sees 142,000 options changing hands, includig 86,000 puts. Close behind are the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) options at 131,000, with 76,000 calls. The iShares Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) has 72,000 options traded, evenly split between calls and puts.
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