The churning in the stock market this year may have led to increased fear on the part of many investors. But according to the VIX index - the market's so-called fear index, which measures how much volatility investors are expecting - the outlook is still relatively calm.
Last Monday, after the S&P 500 had dropped more than 2 percent on the previous Friday, the VIX jumped up to 21.44. That's the highest it had been since December of 2012. But it has settled back since then, and is now back below its ten-year average of 20.15.
Even that 21.44 is not so alarming once you put it in perspective. During the financial meltdown in 2008, the VIX touched 60, and even in 2011, when Europe was in crisis, it went over 40. Compared to those times, this year's turmoil has not been so bad.
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