VIX falls as S&P 500 regains key level
Chris McKhann | chris.mckhann@optionmonster.com
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The CBOE Volatility Index and its futures slipped yesterday.
The VIX finished the day at 15.43, down 0.28 points, or 1.8 percent. That was about the in middle of a relatively tight range for the day, while the S&P 500 gained 5.24 points to close at 1450.99. The two indexes usually move inversely.
The SPX is now back above its 20-day moving average, closing above that line for the first time in more than a week. It still faces resistance at 1460 while having support around 1430.
The Nasdaq 100 was up just shy of 20 points to close at 2818.84, remaining below its 20-day moving average. It has resistance at that level and at 2823, with support at 2768.
The Russell 2000 was down on the day, giving up just less than 2 points to close at 838.78. The small-cap index saw a late-afternoon bounce remained in negative territory below its 20-day moving average. It has resistance at 856 and support at 832.
The VIX futures were down with the spot volatility index. The October futures fell 0.15 points to 16.45, while the November contracts lost 0.10 points to close at 17.85.
More than 479,000 VIX options traded on the day, with 286,000 calls. The SPX options turned over 474,000 times, with puts outpacing calls by 2 to 1.
The VVIX Index, which measures the implied volatility of the VIX options, fell 3 percent to 87.56 and is back near its lows.
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