Apple Bears Awaken With Volatility Highest in Four Months

Apple Inc., whose share swings are contributing to one of the worst bouts of U.S. stock volatility this year, is becoming a focus of bears in the options market.

Contracts that appreciate as Apple drops are selling at the highest prices in 14 months relative to bullish ones, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The stock moved an average of 1.2 percent a day since the start of September, up from 0.9 percent in the first eight months of 2014, as concern mounted that features of its new phone are flawed.