Record VIX Bets Keep Surging Amid Wall Street Mixed Signals

  • Open interest on VIX call options highest since September 2014
  • Long-VIX securities have absorbed $3.2 billion over nine weeks
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One thing’s certain about the market for equity volatility -- it’s jumping. Why that’s happening is a source of debate on Wall Street.

Going long market turbulence has surged in popularity in the last nine weeks, with investors sending an unprecedented $3.2 billion into securities that reap gains from wider price swings. That pushed shares outstanding on exchange-traded notes tied to the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index to a record and has wagers on volatility near the highest level since 2014.