20 free views remaining out of 20
Get 50% Off

VIX Fear Gauge

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

Last updated: May 08, 2026 13:15 UTC
Greed Neutral Fear
26
Low Fear
VIX: 17.2 Falling

VIX at 17.2 and declining reflects relatively normal market conditions. This is typically a healthy environment for equity investments.

Fear & Greed Scale
Extreme Greed Greed Low Fear Neutral Fear High Fear Extreme Fear
What's Driving the Index
6 indicators averaged
Market Volatility
40
VIX at 17.2 - measures expected market volatility over next 30 days
Low Fear
Market Momentum
15
S&P 500 at $731.58 vs 50/200 day EMAs - trend strength indicator
Extreme Greed
Price Strength
25
QQQ RSI at 79.5 - measures if market is overbought or oversold
Greed
Market Trend
20
MACD bullish - positive momentum signal
Greed
Safe Haven Demand
30
Growth sectors leading - risk appetite is healthy
Greed
Volatility Trend
30
VIX falling (EMA8 17.5 < EMA21 18.7) - fear subsiding
Greed
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 17.15
8 EMA 17.53
21 EMA 18.73
Trend Falling
Market Indexes
SPY $731.58
QQQ $694.94
QQQ RSI 79.5
Trend Bullish
Maya's Stance
Current Allocation
0% 90% 100%

Favorable - Normal Trading

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.