As usually happens when stocks weaken, the CBOE Volatility (VIX) Index jumped sharply this week to the highest level since April. The VIX (also called the “fear gauge”) has climbed 47% since the start of July. That means that traders are buying “option” insurance against a possible downturn in stocks. The red bars in Chart 10 show that the recent upturn in the VIX is the biggest since January. That’s consistent with a short-term correction. A move above its spring highs, however, (18.22 and 17.85) would be more cause for concern.