The S&P 500 Is Near Record Highs, But Volatility Is Rearing Its Ugly Head. The Best Way to Play It Now.

The volatility market of 2026 is a far cry from the calm, suppressed environment of the late 2010s. We have entered what analysts call a high-floor era. That’s where the CBOE Volatility Index ($VIX) rarely dips below 15 and frequently spikes toward 30. While many DIY investors reflexively reach for short-term VIX products like VXX (VXX) or VIXY (VIXY) during a market dip, these funds are notorious for their rapid value erosion. To address this, the ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) offers a more ...