Total option volume is relatively strong at 6.8 million contracts so far today, with bearish sentiment in major indexes and ETFs, according to optionMONSTER data systems.
More than 1.4 million options have traded in the SPDR S&P 500 Fund (:SPY), with puts making up more than 1 million of the volume. Next up are the CBOE Volatility Index (:VIX) options at 511,000, led by 381,000 calls. The S&P 500 Index (:SPX) has seen more than 360,000 options turn over, with puts outpacing calls by more than 2 to 1.
The iShares Russell 2000 Fund (:IWM) has 275,000 contracts changing hands, with 192,000 puts. The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Fund (VXX) has 170,000 moving, with 104,000 calls.
The PowerShares QQQ Trust (:QQQ) has 129,000 options traded, with a put/call ratio of almost 3 to 1. The SPDR Financial Fund (XLF) has volume of 90,000 options, with 61,000 puts.
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