Wall Street’s ‘fear gauge’ is rising — here’s how investors can protect their portfolios before it’s too late

U.S. markets have been fairly calm so far in 2026, but that hasn’t stopped the Cboe Volatility Index, better known as the VIX or the stock market’s “fear gauge,” from creeping higher.

​U.S. markets have been fairly calm so far in 2026, but that hasn’t stopped the Cboe Volatility Index, better known as the VIX or the stock market’s “fear gauge,” from creeping higher.