Overview of Recent Market Movements
The S&P 500 successfully broke a four-week losing streak, reflecting a slight decrease in investor apprehension. Despite the subdued fear levels, investor sentiment hasn’t entirely normalized, as evidenced by the current positioning of the Fear and Greed Index.
Current Status of the Fear and Greed Index
The Fear and Greed Index, a popular market sentiment tool, remains in the ‘Extreme Fear’ category, underscoring continued caution among investors. This index, by aggregating data from different market indicators, provides a comprehensive overview of the market’s emotional landscape.
Indicators Contributing to the Index
Several key indicators are used in the calculation of the Fear and Greed Index:
- Market volatility
- Market momentum
- Stock price strength
- Stock price breadth
- Put and call options
- Junk bond demand
- Safe haven demand
Each of these aspects plays a significant role in determining the prevailing market sentiment, which currently leans towards caution despite some positive trends.