VIX
Business & Finance abbreviation · Stock Market & Investing
| Stands for | Cboe Volatility Index |
|---|---|
| Categories | Business & Finance |
VIX stands for Cboe Volatility Index, a stock market & investing abbreviation.
Real-time index measuring the stock market's expectation of volatility over the next 30 days, derived from the prices of S&P 500 options. Because it tends to spike when stocks fall sharply, it is popularly called the "fear index" or "fear gauge."
Example: The VIX jumped above 30 as investors rushed to buy protection against further losses.
Usage notes
Introduced by the Chicago Board Options Exchange in 1993 and reformulated in 2003 using a broader range of S&P 500 options. Readings below about 15 suggest calm markets, while readings above 30 signal stress; the index closed above 80 in November 2008 and again in March 2020. Investors can trade VIX futures and options but not the index itself.
Related abbreviations
More stock market & investing abbreviations
- 10-K – Form 10-K (annual report)
- 10-Q – Form 10-Q (quarterly report)
- 13D – Schedule 13D
- 13F – Form 13F
- 20-F – Form 20-F
- 8-K – Form 8-K (current report)
- ADR – American depositary receipt
- ADV – Average daily volume
- AMEX – American Stock Exchange
- AON – All or none
- ASX – Australian Securities Exchange
- ATH – All-time high