[VIX Rises to 23.93 on Friday as Market Anxiety Intensifies Ahead of Midterm Elections] According to Investor’s Business Daily, the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX) rose to 23.93 on Friday, remaining above 20 on Tuesday. Adam Turnquist, Chief Cross-Asset Strategist at LPL Financial, stated that concerns about artificial intelligence stocks and potential hedging demand ahead of the midterm elections may have driven the VIX higher. Turquist pointed out that the VIX futures near-term contract price is higher than the far-term contract price, indicating that investors are seeking near-term protection; the current index level suggests increased investor anxiety, but it remains well below the extreme levels typically associated with market capitulation.