Wall Street’s ‘fear gauge’ says there’s nothing to fear

The Street might have gotten another all-clear signal to keep buying. The Cboe Volatility Index, or VIX , known to many as Wall Street's fear gauge, had its lowest close of the year on Wednesday, ending the day at 14.49. That was its lowest closing level since late December. The VIX measure is calculated through the pricing of S & P 500 options. When the VIX is elevated, it signals investors expect the broader market to see wilder swings over the next 30 days. When it declines, it usually points to smoother sailing ahead for the market — which often sets up stocks for a move higher. .VIX YTD bar VIX year to date What's driving this latest move lower in the VIX? Expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts have a lot to do with it. The CME Group's FedWatch Tool points to a 96.5% chance that th