A key market fear indicator, the CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX), recently had its biggest three-day spike of the year, according to date from Creative Planning chief markets strategist Charlie Bilello.

The halts came as the Cboe Volatility Index VIX, better known as the VIX or Wall Street's "fear gauge," tallied its biggest daily drop on record, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The iPath ...