Put/call Ratio

The put/call ratio is the volume of put options divided by the volume of call options for a specified period of time. Technical analysts use the put/call ratio to predict market turning points. The put/call ratio is generally considered a contrarian indicator. A high put/call ratio occurs when there is a high volume of put options being traded, and a low put/call ratio indicates that a larger percentage of call options are being purchased. To a contrarian investor, a significantly high put/call ratio suggests that investors are overly pessimistic and therefore indicates a market bottom, while a significantly low put/call ratio suggests that investors are overly optimistic and therefore implies a market top. The put/call ratio must be used with caution as unusual market conditions can cause short-term anomalies in apparent market sentiment, giving analysts a misleading put/call ratio indication.