Investor anxiety gauge hits eight-month high amid US stock selloff

Published 07/04/2025, 16:22
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Wall Street's main indicator of investor anxiety reached an eight-month high on Monday, as US stocks continued their downward trend from the previous week. This comes amid concerns about the potential impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff policy.

The Cboe Volatility Index, an options-based measure of investor anxiety often referred to as Wall Street's 'fear gauge', surged by up to 14.82 points, reaching 60.13. This is the highest level it has seen since August 5. After hitting its highest closing level in five years on Friday, the index was last recorded up by 4.52 points at 49.83.

As Wall Street's primary equity indexes opened with a significant drop, the S&P 500 is nearing confirmation that it is in a bear market, which is defined as a 20% decline from a record high.

In August, the VIX experienced a record surge as traders hastened to guard against market volatility during a worldwide selloff driven by fears of a US recession. Despite this, the index marked a record decline as investors swiftly returned to strategies that rely on low stock volatility.

Nevertheless, the recent rise of the VIX has reached levels that historically have signaled a peak in selling, potentially leading to a temporary halt in the market's descent.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.