The 'VIX' Hit Its Highest Level of 2026 as Investors Assessed the Potential Impact of the War in the Middle East

The Cboe Volatility Index was moving higher on Thursday, gaining 2.60 points, or more than 12%, to hit 23.75. The VIX has been climbing this week as the war in the Middle East spooks investors and causes them to take more hedging positions.

Most experienced investors will agree that timing the market is difficult to do very well for very long. Eventually, you're just going to be thrown an unexpected curveball that unwinds all of your success. Not even most pros can do it with any consistency.

CNN’s Fear & Greed Index is a way to gauge stock market movements and whether stocks are fairly priced. The index uses seven market indicators to help answer the question: What emotion is driving the market now?

The Cboe Volatility Index, often interpreted as a fear index, measuring the anxiety of investors, has jumped to levels not seen since April last year. Then, risk assets experienced several tumultuous

Overview: Bitcoin volatility can rise suddenly, with February 2026 showing levels near 100% and sharp price drops toward the low $60,000 range.Heavy leverage in

The MOVE index is at a multi-year low, raising concerns for AGNC's future profitability and book value if volatility rises. AGNC trades at a 1.254x P/TBV, near decade highs, elevating valuation risk and justifying a reiterated hold rating.

Stocks dropped on Monday as traders weighed risks from an escalating conflict in the Middle East, with oil spiking and President Donald Trump saying the US-Israeli strikes on Iran may last weeks.