VIX Fear Gauge

Real-time market fear and greed indicator based on the CBOE Volatility Index

Last updated: Feb 07, 2026 00:59 UTC
Greed Neutral Fear
50
Neutral
VIX: 17.8 Rising

VIX at 17.8 and rising indicates balanced sentiment. Markets are neither overly fearful nor complacent.

Fear & Greed Scale
Extreme Greed Greed Low Fear Neutral Fear High Fear Extreme Fear
What's Driving the Index
6 indicators averaged
Market Volatility
43
VIX at 17.8 - measures expected market volatility over next 30 days
Low Fear
Market Momentum
15
S&P 500 at $690.62 vs 50/200 day EMAs - trend strength indicator
Extreme Greed
Price Strength
60
QQQ RSI at 44.0 - measures if market is overbought or oversold
Fear
Market Trend
45
MACD bearish - negative momentum signal
Low Fear
Safe Haven Demand
70
Defensive sectors leading - investors seeking safety
Fear
Volatility Trend
70
VIX rising (EMA8 18.2 > EMA21 16.9) - fear increasing
Fear
How it works: Each indicator is scored from 0 (Extreme Greed) to 100 (Extreme Fear). The overall Fear & Greed score is the average of all 6 components. This methodology is inspired by CNN's Fear & Greed Index.
VIX Technical
Current 17.76
8 EMA 18.17
21 EMA 16.95
Trend Rising
Market Indexes
SPY $690.62
QQQ $609.65
QQQ RSI 0.0
Trend Bullish
Maya's Stance
Current Allocation
0% 53% 100%

Normal - Slight Caution

What is the VIX Fear Index?

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often called the "Fear Index" or "Fear Gauge," measures expected market volatility over the next 30 days. It's calculated from S&P 500 index option prices and reflects investor sentiment about future market uncertainty.

How to interpret VIX levels:

  • VIX below 15: Low volatility, investor complacency (potential for correction)
  • VIX 15-20: Normal market conditions
  • VIX 20-25: Elevated uncertainty, increased hedging activity
  • VIX 25-30: High fear, significant market stress
  • VIX above 30: Extreme fear, panic selling often occurs

Why traders watch the VIX:

  • It often moves inversely to the stock market
  • Extreme readings can signal market turning points
  • Helps gauge options pricing and premium levels
  • Used for portfolio hedging decisions

Historical context: During the 2008 financial crisis, VIX spiked above 80. During the 2020 COVID crash, it reached 82. Typical market corrections see VIX spike to 25-35.

Pro tip: Watch for VIX divergences. If the market makes new lows but VIX doesn't make new highs, it can signal selling exhaustion.

See How Maya Trades Based on VIX

Maya automatically adjusts trading allocation based on VIX levels and market conditions. View the full market assessment to see all factors Maya considers.