Friday, is "Triple Witching Day"..., the day that options expire, there is always a major "tug of war" as to the price of most of the stocks against which options have been written. Folks who want to have their call options exercised want the price UP, those who want them to expire want the price down. Flipside for those involved in the put otions. Then, those involved in straddles just want (and engineer) volatility! There are countless reasons for increased volatility at such times PLUS we have the end of the quarter "window dressing" coming up soon...