Index, ETF option volumes near midday
There is little in the way of unusual option activity today, but the overall volume is more than 6.4 million contracts, with bearish sentiment in the large indexes and ETFs, optionMONSTER data systems show.
More than 1.2 million options have changed hands in the SPDR S&P 500 Fund (:SPY) with 752,000 puts. The SPDR Gold Shares Fund (GLD) has seen 284,000 contracts turn over, with 175,000 calls. Next up are the iShares Russell 2000 Fund (:IWM) options at 258,000, with 168,000 puts.
The S&P 500 Index (:SPX) has 220,000 contracts changing hands, with a put/call ratio of more than 2 to 1. Next up is the iShares Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) with 178,000 options and a similar put/call ratio. The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) has 167,000 options traded, with calls outpacing puts by 2 to 1.
The PowerShares QQQ Trust (:QQQ) has 150,000 options moving, with 83,000 puts. The Market Vectors Gold Miners Fund (GDX) is just behind at 149,000, with 87,000 calls. The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Note (:VXX) has 139,000 options traded, with 85,000 calls.
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