At around 10 this morning, the Russell 2000 tracker IWM was up around a tenth of a percent, while the S&P 500 tracker SPY was trading down just as much. SPY is trading at $153.83, with puts at $153 and $154 gaining 5% and 2% respectively.  IWM is trading at $84.77, with puts at $84 and $85 losing 1% and 2% respectively. 
 
    All of this despite a 5% jump in the VIX from Friday's close.  Given current market conditions, and especially if we see things cool off on the VIX in the next day, the Russell 2000 looks on target to cross above the S&P 500 for year-to-date return this week.  I'll be watching the straddle into the afternoon, but if the difference in those near-spot puts holds as is, I expect to see this sooner than later.