The Vix, or Volatiliy Index, is what i trade for my dayjob.
The Vix is calculated using option prices on the S&P 500 index. See below. It takes the mid-point of every options price and runs them through a formula to get a weighted-average which produces the VIX calculation.
Since options can be used to imply volatility, the Vix is sometimes called a 30-day forecast on volatility. Lower Vix = lower expected volatility, higher Vix = higher expected volatility.
Vix is trading $23 right now.
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