The VIX call book grew for a third session
OI 15.83M vs 14.04M 5-day ADV. 55 percent calls. SPX closed 7,747, down half a percent from Friday. VIX rose 6 percent to 15.16.
The VIX call book is the through-line: 163k Thursday, 344k Friday, 433k Monday, into the first down day after last week’s highs. TLT opened 351k calls, twice Friday’s print, as the ETF sold off 0.8 percent. Fund put opening moved off SPY — 386k against Thursday’s 984k — and onto QQQ (363k) and IWM (222k). Single stocks still took most of the new interest.
US listed options
How Stocks, ETFs and Indices Changed, vs Average Daily Change
Put/call of contracts opened, with the five-day mark. Today versus the prior five sessions.
Put/call = puts opened ÷ calls opened. Opened means contracts that gained open interest, study to settle. The gold mark is that same ratio over the prior five sessions (puts opened in the window ÷ calls opened in the window). Scale is log 0.5–2.0; 1.0 is an even split. Above 1.0 sits left (put-heavy).
vs ADV = contracts opened today ÷ the mean opened over those five sessions. Scale is log 0.5–2.0; 1.0 is the usual size.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · ADV window 10–14 Aug
Just over three in five contracts opened on Monday were single stocks. That is where the book sat: not in the index complex, which had printed 2.10 million on Friday and came back to 1.21 million, 8 percent of the day.
The exception on the figure is exchange-traded funds, the only class where puts outran calls — 2.65 million against 2.37 million. They have on 18 of the last 20 sessions. Stocks opened calls on all twenty. That shape is the standing book, not a hedge that arrived on the first down day.
US single stocks · by sector
How each sector changed, vs average daily change
Put/call of contracts opened, with the five-day mark. Today versus the prior five sessions.
Put/call = puts opened ÷ calls opened. Opened means contracts that gained open interest, study to settle. The gold mark is that same ratio over the prior five sessions (puts opened in the window ÷ calls opened in the window). Scale is log 0.5–2.0; 1.0 is an even split. Above 1.0 sits left (put-heavy). A mark on the right edge means the five-day put/call is below 0.5.
vs ADV = contracts opened today ÷ the mean opened over those five sessions. Scale is log 0.5–2.0; 1.0 is the usual size.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · common stock and ADRs · ADV window 10–14 Aug
Energy opened 1.66× its 5-day ADV. Financials 1.51×, Utilities 1.47×. Technology was 1.05× — the large book was the usual book. Utilities was the only put-heavy open, put/call 1.32×, against a five-day book that was more than 2-to-1 calls.
the volatility complex, every day
Of the 413k VIX calls added net, 258k landed in the 16 September expiry. The Wednesday 19 August book — 3.63 million calls, one session from its own settlement — added 1.5k. Friday had still been opening 35k calls there, and had split September 91k calls against 70k puts. Monday did not.
Which expiry took the flow
Change in open interest by expiry, with at-the-money implied volatility. Each expiry prices off its own future.
The standing call book is the 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 ladder. Monday built onto 24. The September 24 call went from 81,143 to 244,324 — 163k of the 182k that strike added across the curve — on 179k of volume, 46-to-1 on the ask, six-tenths of a percent a spread. The 35s closed 3k.
What the change built onto
Contracts outstanding — pale is Monday's open, solid is what the session added.
Open interest change is the 18 August settlement minus the 17 August bucket. Opened, in the paragraph, means contracts that gained open interest.
A VIX option prices off the future for its own expiry, not spot VIX. 19 August is VIX settlement Wednesday — not Friday's equity OPEX. Implied vol is the median over a tight at-the-money band (delta 0.4–0.6) on Monday's tape, 13:30–20:59 UTC. VIX option IV is vol-of-vol; it prints near 150 percent, not 15.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · VIX + VIXW · $1 strikes on the ladder
Two cuts. Monday versus each name’s own five-day average of contracts opened — Viavi 20.9×, NexGen 7.7×, Edison International 6.9×. And a three-day run after a quiet book, which the five-day average hides: indie Semiconductor 8.9k / 8.7k / 13.8k against a 1.6k median; Amer Sports 23.6k / 56.0k / 16.2k against 269 a day, with earnings 18 August. A package (Wells Fargo, Rumble, GE) stays off the figure. Klarna and Webull print into 18–19 August earnings; they stay on, with the date.
open interest · by name
Contracts opened 17 August versus each name’s five-day average
A reading of 1× is that name’s usual day. Colour is put or call of the contracts that opened. VIAV is 20.9×; the bar is capped at 8×.
Multiple = contracts that gained open interest, 17 August to the 18 August settlement, divided by the mean of that same measure over the prior five sessions (10–14 August). Scale is linear 0–8; VIAV is off-scale at 20.9×. Colour is puts opened ÷ calls opened. Option-volume ADV ≥ 5k, standing OI ≥ 10k, at least 8k opened, not a package.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · ADV window 10–14 Aug · proposal, not locked
open interest · by name
Three-day run after a quiet book
Each of the last three sessions opened at least twice the median of the ten sessions before that. Monday versus the five-day average looks quiet because the average is the run.
| Name | Quiet median | Thu 13 · Fri 14 · Mon 17 | vs 5-day ADV |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS · Amer Sports | 269 | 23.6k · 56.0k · 16.2k | 0.76× |
| STUB · StubHub | 3.4k | 21.5k · 16.6k · 9.8k | 0.55× |
| EYPT · EyePoint | 2.0k | 4.3k · 21.9k · 12.3k | 1.81× |
| KKR | 3.3k | 13.1k · 15.1k · 7.7k | 0.91× |
| INDI · indie Semiconductor | 1.6k | 8.9k · 8.7k · 13.8k | 1.69× |
| ABCL · AbCellera | 1.2k | 5.0k · 9.5k · 6.8k | 0.92× |
Quiet median is the median of contracts opened over the ten sessions before the three-day run, same two-bucket query, first eod pair (17 July) excluded. Amer Sports earnings 18 August.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · proposal, not locked
VIAV · Viavi Solutions Inc
Monday versus its own five-day average
20.9× its own five-day average — 26.3k opened, prior high in the window 9.1k. Friday closed 1.1k.
VIAV open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · VIAV
VIAV contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · VIAV
NXE · NexGen Energy Ltd
Monday versus its own five-day average
7.7× its own average. September and November calls, 2-to-1 on the ask.
NXE open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · NXE
NXE contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · NXE
EIX · Edison International
Monday versus its own five-day average
6.9× its own average. One September 55 put, 11,007 contracts on 11,009 of volume.
EIX open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:58 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · EIX
EIX contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · EIX
EXE · Expand Energy Corporation
Monday versus its own five-day average
6.7× its own average. One October 85 put, 19,623 contracts, all on the bid.
EXE open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · EXE
EXE contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · EXE
GTM · ZoomInfo Technologies Inc
Monday versus its own five-day average
6.6× its own average. A September 3.50 put that was not in Friday’s book, sold.
GTM open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:56 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · GTM
GTM contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · GTM
CPNG · Coupang, Inc
Monday versus its own five-day average
6.1× its own average. Call-heavy, 15 percent multi-leg.
CPNG open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · CPNG
CPNG contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · CPNG
XPEV · XPeng Inc
Monday versus its own five-day average
5.7× its own average. Earnings 24 August.
XPEV open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · XPEV
XPEV contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · XPEV
KLAR · Klarna Group plc
Monday versus its own five-day average
5.0× its own average. Earnings 18 August — the settlement morning.
KLAR open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · KLAR
KLAR contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · KLAR
TMF · Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF
Monday versus its own five-day average
4.5× its own average, 20-session high. Both sides opened; not a package.
TMF open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · TMF
TMF contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · TMF
BULL · Webull Corporation Class A Ordinary Shares
Monday versus its own five-day average
4.3× its own average. Earnings 19 August.
BULL open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · BULL
BULL contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · BULL
METU · Direxion Daily META Bull 2X ETF
Monday versus its own five-day average
3.9× its own average. 2× MAGS, not the vol complex.
METU open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · METU
METU contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · METU
IBKR · Interactive Brokers Group, Inc
Monday versus its own five-day average
3.8× its own average.
IBKR open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · IBKR
IBKR contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · IBKR
JBLU · JetBlue Airways Corporation
Monday versus its own five-day average
3.7× its own average. JetBlue, same session as JETS.
JBLU open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · JBLU
JBLU contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · JBLU
JETS · U.S. Global Jets ETF
Monday versus its own five-day average
3.7× its own average. August 28 29.50 put, 10,058 onto a standing 11.
JETS open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · JETS
JETS contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · JETS
AS · Amer Sports, Inc
3-day run after a quiet book
Three-day run after a quiet book: 23.6k, 56.0k, 16.2k against a 269-contract median. Earnings 18 August. Monday is 0.76× the 5-day ADV because that window is the run.
AS open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · AS
AS contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · AS
STUB · StubHub Holdings, Inc
3-day run after a quiet book
Three-day run after a quiet book: 21.5k, 16.6k, 9.8k against a 3.4k median. Monday is 0.55× ADV.
STUB open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · STUB
STUB contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · STUB
EYPT · EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc
3-day run after a quiet book
Three-day run after a quiet book: 4.3k, 21.9k, 12.3k against a 2.0k median. Monday is 1.8× ADV.
EYPT open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · EYPT
EYPT contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · EYPT
KKR · KKR & Co. Inc
3-day run after a quiet book
Three-day run after a quiet book: 13.1k, 15.1k, 7.7k against a 3.3k median. Monday is 0.91× ADV.
KKR open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · KKR
KKR contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · KKR
INDI · indie Semiconductor, Inc
3-day run after a quiet book
Three-day run after a quiet book: 8.9k, 8.7k, 13.8k against a 1.6k median. Monday is 1.7× ADV because the 5-day window is the streak.
INDI open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:57 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · INDI
INDI contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · INDI
ABCL · AbCellera Biologics Inc
3-day run after a quiet book
Three-day run after a quiet book: 5.0k, 9.5k, 6.8k against a 1.2k median.
ABCL open interest change by expiry
Change in open interest by expiry, 17 August. At-the-money implied vol, tape truncated, 13:30–19:59 UTC.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · ABCL
ABCL contracts outstanding by strike
Pale is Monday’s open, solid is what the session added.
FZN Analytics · settled open interest, 17–18 Aug 2026 · ABCL