VIX swings 5.98% intraday as trading range hits 1.03 points

The VIX swung 5.98% intraday on July 14, touching 17.56 before closing at 16.83 as the volatility gauge posted a 1.03-point range from low to high.

The index opened at 17.21, dropped to a session low of 16.53, then surged to 17.56 before settling at 16.83 — a 2.2% decline from the open. The 5.98% amplitude reflected a session of heightened intraday volatility for the benchmark, which measures implied volatility on the S&P 500.

A VIX close near 17 remains below the historical average of roughly 20, suggesting options markets did not price in extreme stress despite the wide intraday swing. The settlement at 16.83 placed the index in the lower portion of its daily range, indicating that the initial selloff faded as the session progressed.

The wide intraday range shows the VIX's sensitivity to intraday shifts in equity market flows. With the index closing below its opening level, the session pattern suggested that volatility premiums contracted after an early spike, a dynamic that typically coincides with stabilizing equity prices.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.