Volatility Surge: VIX Spike Signals Market Uncertainty Ahead

The Cboe Volatility Index, known as the VIX, stands at a current sale price of 20.60 as of the latest close on February 13, 2026, according to Investing.com data. This reflects a percent change of down 1.06 percent from the previous session's close of 20.82 on February 12.

The St. Louis Fed's ALFRED database confirms the February 12 close at 20.82, up sharply from 17.65 on February 11, signaling a 18 percent daily surge that day amid rising market uncertainty. Perplexity Finance and FX Empire data align closely, showing intraday highs near 22.40 on February 13 before the pullback.

This recent volatility spike traces to underlying factors like heightened investor fears over S&P 500 options pricing, as the VIX measures 30-day implied volatility from SPX puts and calls, per Cboe Global Markets' methodology. The jump from 17.65 on February 11 through 20.82 on February 12 suggests reactions to economic data releases or geopolitical tensions, with a modest retreat on February 13 indicating some stabilization. Trends show the VIX hovering in the 15 to 21 range over the past two weeks, per Investing.com historicals, well above the 12 to 15 calm levels but below panic thresholds over 30. Recent patterns include a 21.89 percent pop earlier in February from 16.72, followed by choppy trading, pointing to persistent but contained equity market jitters.

Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI