"S&P 500 Options: Billions Minted Amid Manipulation Speculation"

Unusual trading activity in the S&P 500 outside regular market hours is influencing the fate of stock options worth trillions of dollars, according to new research. A monthly pattern has been observed where key prices jump just before the expiration of derivatives tied to the benchmark US gauge, impacting which contracts will pay out. This phenomenon is generating approximately $3.8 billion in annual profits for bullish investors, raising concerns of manipulation.