CBOE VOLATILITY INDEX (^VIX) aka "fear index" = 63.92

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

The VIX high after 9/11 was 35.

64 is an impossible VIX... a wild, almost theoretical VIX. But yesterday's 58 was almost as absurd.

Normally that would suggest that the market will have a violent, even if temporary, rally. But that has been the case for days.

Still... I will go out on a limb and predict tomorrow will not be calamitous.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=%5EVIX

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VIX is the ticker symbol for the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, a popular measure of the implied volatility of S&P 500 index options. Referred to by some as the fear index, it represents one measure of the market's expectation of volatility over the next 30 day period.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIX

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I have no idea what any of that means.

[Earth_First]

2. Ditto.

I assume the higher the number, the greater the volitility?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

3. Sorry. I added more info to the OP

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Thanks. That helps, a little.

I am not up on these things. But I guess I will have to be.

[slipslidingaway]

5. We could use a longer term technical analysis thread...

there is the personal finance forum, although it is not used very much.

I know a little and would be willing to contribute.

[slipslidingaway]

6. VXO chart, data back to 1986 and showing the 1987 spike

http://finance.yahoo.com/lookup?s=VXO

or

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=%5EVXO