Total option volume is 5.6 million contracts so far today, with the typical names leading the way in the major indexes and ETFs, optionMONSTER's data systems show.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (SPY) has 637,000 options traded, with 367,000 puts. Next up are the S&P 500 Index (:SPX) contracts at 188,000, with a put/call ratio of 3 to 1. Just behind are the iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) options at 186,000, dominated by 162,000 puts.
The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) options have traded 128,000 times, with 80,000 calls. The PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) has 114,000 contracts changing hands, with 71,000 puts. Following closely are the iShares Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) options at 110,000, with puts outpacing calls more than 2 to 1.
The SPDR Gold Shares Fund (GLD) has seen 97,000 options trade, led by 62,000 calls. The iShares Silver Fund (SLV) has 77,000, with calls just outpacing puts.
More From optionMONSTER
Federal Reserve policymakers will likely announce on Wednesday that they will keep buying bonds at a monthly pace …