Index, ETF option volumes near midday

Just over 5 million options have traded so far today, with just a few indexes and ETFs making up most of the volume, according to optionMONSTER data systems.

The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (:SPY) has 721,000 options traded, with puts slightly outpacing calls. The PowerShares QQQ Trust (:QQQ) has 179,000 contracts changing hands, with 108,000 puts. Just behind are the iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) options at 166,000, with a put/call ratio of 3 to 1.

The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) and S&P 500 Index (:SPX) have each traded 100,000 options, the former with 88,000 calls and the latter with 87,000 puts.

The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Note (VXX) has 83,000 options turning over, with 48,000 puts. And the SPDR Gold Shares Fund (GLD) has 72,000 contracts traded, with 39,000 calls. 

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