Total options volume is again light with 4.4 million contracts traded so far today, and the typical names top the index and ETF action, according to optionMONSTER's data systems.
The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) has 615,000 options traded, with 395,000 puts. Next up are the iShares Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) options at 288,000, dominated by 233,000 that have seen an enormous call butterfly spread . (See related story )
The S&P 500 Index (:SPX) contracts have changed hands 202,000 times, with a put/call ratio of 2 to 1. The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX), which is based on those SPX options, is seeing 145,000 of its own contracts trade, with 86,000 calls.
The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) has seen 78,000 contracts turn over, with a put/call ratio of less than 2 to 1. Just behind are the PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) options at 74,000, with a similar put/call ratio. The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has 46,000 options traded, with 27,000 puts.
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