Fear Gauge Spikes 30% Amid Tech Market Selloff

Wall Street’s anxiety levels spiked dramatically on Monday, reflected in a more than 30% surge in the CBOE VIX index—commonly known as the market’s fear gauge—which climbed above 19.

The sharp increase was driven by aggressive selling in technology shares, prompting traders to seek defensive positions through put options.

These options, which give buyers the right to sell at specified prices, saw increased demand as investors moved to protect their portfolios against potential further market deterioration.

The simultaneous tech selloff and rush for protection signals growing concerns about valuations and market stability in the technology sector.