Total option volume has picked up today up with 6.6 million contracts trading so far, and calls make up more volume than usual in the indexes and ETFs, optionMONSTER's data systems show.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (SPY) has 940,000 contracts traded, with 531,000 puts. Next up are the S&P 500 Index (:SPX) options at 261,000, with 157,000 puts. The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) contracts have turned over 217,000 times, also with puts just outpacing calls.
The PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) has 179,000 contracts changing hands, 98,000 of which are puts. Not far behind are the CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) options at 110,000, and calls are outpacing puts by more than 4 to 1.
The SPDR Gold Shares Fund (GLD) options have traded 95,000 times, led by 68,000 calls. The SPDR Financial Fund (XLF) options traded 82,000 contracts, dominated by 80,000 puts.
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