CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) recently up 4.95 to 29.86. S&P 500 down 1.91%.

Financial Select Sector (XLF) call option volume of 15,081 contracts compares to put volume of 130,439 contracts. May put option implied volatility is at 36, June is at 38, September is at 39; above its 26-week average of 25 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Baidu (BIDU) closed at $549.16. March put option implied volatility is at 29, April is at 33, June at 40 and September is at 41, versus its 26-week average of 42, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing near-term price movement.

Financial Select Sector (XLF) closed at $15.35. March put option implied volatility is at 25, April is at 26, June is at 29, versus its 26-week average of 26, according to Track Data.

Three stocks with IV rise on March 9; American Intl Group (AIG) 17%, CMC Metals (CMC) +13%, Southwestern Energy (SWN) +4% according to IVolatility.

Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Chevron (NYSE: CVX) closed at $58.28. CVX is hosting an analyst meeting this morning. Crude oil futures are recently up 1.15% to $47.61 according to Bloomberg. CVX April option implied volatility of 55 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Financial Select Sector (NYSE: XLF) overall volatility at 95; 26-week average is 64.

Semiconductor Holders Trust (NYSE: SMH) overall volatility at 56; 26-week average is 47.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com