Total option volume is tapering off again as just 4.5 million contracts have traded so far, with puts dominating the action in indexes and ETFs, optionMONSTER's data systems show.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (SPY) takes its typical top spot, today with 824,000 options, 551,000 of which are puts. Next up are the S&P 500 Index (:SPX) options with volume of 210,000, including 130,000 puts.
The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) has 146,000 options traded, with puts outpacing calls by more than 2 to 1. The iShares EAFE Index Fund (EFA) has 128,000 contracts changing hands and is the exception with 98,000 calls.
The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has seen 126,000 options change hands, 69,000 of them puts. The PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) also has 126,000, with 88,000 puts.
The SPDR Industrial Fund (XLI) options have turned over 99,000 times, dominated by 93,000 puts. The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) is having a light day with 73,000 options, as calls outpace puts by 2 to 1.
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