VIX - CBOE Volatility Index

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'VIX - CBOE Volatility Index'

The ticker symbol for the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) Volatility Index, which shows the market's expectation of 30-day volatility. It is constructed using the implied volatilities of a wide range of S&P 500 index options. This volatility is meant to be forward looking and is calculated from both calls and puts. The VIX is a widely used measure of market risk and is often referred to as the "investor fear gauge."

There are three variations of volatility indexes: the VIX tracks the S&P 500, the VXN tracks the Nasdaq 100 and the VXD tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'VIX - CBOE Volatility Index'

The first VIX, introduced by the CBOE in 1993, was a weighted measure of the implied volatility of eight S&P 100 at-the-money put and call options. Ten years later, it expanded to use options based on a broader index, the S&P 500, which allows for a more accurate view of investors' expectations on future market volatility. VIX values greater than 30 are generally associated with a large amount of volatility as a result of investor fear or uncertainty, while values below 20 generally correspond to less stressful, even complacent, times in the markets.

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Related Definitions

  1. Call

    1. The period of ...
  2. VIX Option

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  3. Chicago Board Options Exchange - CBOE

    Founded in 1973, ...
  4. Put

    An option ...
  5. Volatility

    1. A statistical ...
  6. CBOE Nasdaq Volatility Index - VXN

    A volatility ...
  7. In The Money

    1. For a call ...
  8. Out Of The Money - OTM

    A call option ...
  9. At The Money

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  10. OEX

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