Total option volume has picked up today with 5.4 million contracts so far, though the action is still fairly light in the indexes and ETFs, optionMONSTER's data systems show.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (SPY) has 692,000 options traded, led by 435,000 puts. Next up are the S&P 500 Index (:SPX) options at 273,000, 160,000 of which are puts.
The PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) has 114,000 options changing hands, with 70,000 puts. The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) options are just above the 100,000 mark as calls outpace puts by 4 to 1.
The SPDR Financial Fund (XLF) and the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) have each seen 86,000 options traded, and both have roughly 54,000 calls. Just behind are the iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) options with 84,000, dominated by 67,000 puts.
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