‘Looking Over Our Shoulder:’ Traders Are Loading Up on VIX Calls
Bloomberg 2026-06-23 12:06:52
Context: Traders in the US stock market are exhibiting caution, as evidenced by their increased purchases of VIX calls, even as the summer season begins and several potential market concerns appear to be subsiding. Despite record-high corporate profits and relatively stable trade policies, market participants seem to be hedging their bets. The US and Iran are currently engaged in negotiations, which may be contributing to the cautious atmosphere.
Key Facts
- Traders are loading up on VIX calls, indicating a growing sense of caution in the US stock market despite a seemingly stable economic environment.
- The US stock market is entering the summer season, typically a period of relatively calm trading, but traders appear to be positioning themselves for potential volatility.
- Corporate America's profits have reached record highs, which might be expected to boost investor confidence, but instead, traders seem to be focusing on potential risks.
- The US and Iran are currently engaged in negotiations, which could have implications for the global economy and trade policies, potentially contributing to traders' cautious stance.
- The odds of a recession are not currently considered alarming, suggesting that traders' increased interest in VIX calls may be driven by factors other than concerns about a broad economic downturn.