'Fear' index soars ahead of EU referendum vote

Sterling volatility hits highest level since 2009

The VIX index, a key measure of global equity market volatility, has jumped past the 20 mark for the first time in three months as fears over the impact of the upcoming EU referendum intensify.

The index recorded a measure of 20.1 this week, breaking through the 20 mark for the first time in three months. This compares to levels of 15.9 in mid-May, though the index was as high as 27 in January, when global volatility led markets across the globe to plummet. Index provider S&P Dow Jones Indices said all volatility measures were up ahead of the referendum next week, with European equities and sterling being particularly volatile. Tim Edwards, senior director of index investment strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said: "The British pound has become the primary battleground, ...