Ahead of major defining events, market participants steadily build positions. Now once the event crystalizes all participants move in a herd for the exit all at once which causes these gyrations and spikes in the volatility index (up 24% on the election outcome day). Ahead of major defining events, market participants steadily build positions. Now once the event crystalizes all participants move in a herd for the exit all at once which causes these gyrations and spikes in the volatility index (up 24% on the election outcome day). Economic Times