Wed Jan 29 19:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Market Fear Gauge Jumps on China AI Concerns
**New York, NY –** The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), a key measure of market uncertainty often called the “fear gauge,” spiked significantly Monday morning, fueled by anxieties surrounding China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence program. The VIX surged 28%, reaching 19.03, a considerable jump from its Friday close of 14.85. While this represents a notable increase, the index remains below the 20 threshold it has only occasionally breached in the past year.
Previous instances of the VIX exceeding 20 in the past year were linked to concerns about Japan’s interest rate hikes and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions, specifically regarding interest rate cuts and long-term bond yields. Today’s rise, however, highlights growing investor apprehension regarding the potential impact of China’s DeepSeek program on the global AI landscape and broader market stability.
First Piper 