Total option volume is light this morning with 4.3 million contracts traded so far, with puts leading the index and ETF activity, optionMONSTER's data systems show.
The SPDR S&P 500 Fund (SPY) has 575,000 contracts traded, led by 363,000 puts. Next up are the S&P 500 Index (:SPX) options with 248,000, 153,000 of which are puts.
The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (IWM) has just 114,000 contracts traded, with puts slightly outpacing calls. Just behind are the PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) options at 109,000, including 64,000 puts. The iShares Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) has 96,000 options changing hands, with a put/call ratio of almost 4 to 1.
The CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) has 80,000 options moving as calls slightly outnumber puts. The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has 40,000 contracts traded, with 25,000 calls.
More From optionMONSTER
After rising 80% in the past seven months, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index finally blinked. A staggering …