Market › VIX
VIX: today's value and history
Wall Street's “fear index”: today's value, its history and how to read it.
Performance of the VIX
The VIX in figures
| VIX | |
|---|---|
| Latest monthly close | 15.1 |
| Average over the last year | 17.1 |
| 10-year average | 18.6 |
| 10-year high | 53.5 |
| 10-year low | 9.5 |
Monthly closes. Data up to October 2026.
What it is
The VIX measures the volatility the market expects for the S&P 500 over the next 30 days, based on option prices. Below 15 signals calm; between 15 and 25, normal; above 30, fear. In the great crises (2008, March 2020) it went above 80.
What moves it
It rises when stocks fall sharply or uncertainty spreads (crises, wars, central-bank scares) and falls when the market climbs calmly. That is why it usually moves the opposite way to the S&P 500.
Frequently asked questions
Can you invest in the VIX?
Not directly. Products that track it use futures and lose value over time, so they are not suited to holding.
What is a high VIX?
Above 30 is considered high fear. Its long-term average is around 19 or 20.
Does the VIX predict falls?
No: it reflects fear at that moment. It usually spikes once the falls have already started.
Other markets
General information with market data, not investment advice. Past returns do not guarantee future results.