Slump in Railroad Stocks Raises Implied Volatility By Rebecca Darst About this article: Yesterday's move higher in volatility and put volumes in a bevy of diversified industrial stocks -- despite a relatively flat finish for stocks -- continued apace today, with traders seeking defensive positions in transportation names. Adding urgency to the options positioning today is the biggest intraday drop in the value of the S&P Railroad Index in two decades, sending implied volatility in the options of most railroad stocks hurtling toward 52-week highs. According to live market data from Interactive Brokers, implied volatility in Norfolk Southern rose nearly 28% on the session to read 71.7% -- handily a 52-week high and fully a 45% premium to the historic reading on the stock. With shares down 12.6% to $56.84, front-month call premiums are down more than 60%, with what appears to be buying interest in October 65 calls and selling in 55 puts. Union Pacific's implied volatility is... Or, call us at 1-866-321-TSCM (8726) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET. Outside the U.S. and in Canada, call 1-212-321-5200.

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