AAII Sentiment Survey: Seven-Month High for Optimism

Optimism among individual investors about the short-term direction of the stock market is at its highest level in seven months. The latest AAII Sentiment Survey also shows neutral sentiment at its lowest level in over four months.

Bullish sentiment, expectations that stock prices will rise over the next six months, rose 4.1 percentage points to 43.1%. Optimism was last higher on October 3, 2018 (45.7%). The historical average is 38.5%.

Neutral sentiment, expectations that stock prices will stay essentially unchanged over the next six months, fell by an additional 5.9 percentage points to 33.7%. Neutral sentiment was last lower on January 23, 2019 (30.0%). Even with the drop, neutral sentiment remains above its historical average of 31.0% for the 15th consecutive week and the 16th time in 18 weeks.

Bearish sentiment, expectations that stock prices will fall over the next six months, rose 1.8 percentage points to 23.2%. Pessimism is below its historical average of 30.5% for the eighth consecutive week and the 13th time in 14 weeks.

As noted last week, above-average readings for bullish sentiment continue to be infrequent. This is just the fourth time since February 2018 that optimism is above its historical average on consecutive weeks.

At current levels, all three indicators are within their typical ranges.

This year’s rebound in stock prices has encouraged some individual investors, though others have concerns about its sustainability. Many individual investors are monitoring trade negotiations, particularly between the U.S. and China. Also having an influence are monetary policy, Washington politics (including President Trump), geopolitics, valuations, corporate earnings and the pace of economic growth.

This week’s AAII Sentiment Survey results:

• Bullish: 43.1%, up 4.1 percentage points
• Neutral: 33.7%, down 5.9 percentage points
• Bearish: 23.2%, up 1.8 percentage points

Historical averages:

• Bullish: 38.5%
• Neutral: 31.0%
• Bearish: 30.5%

Want to weigh in? Take the survey yourself and see results online at www.aaii.com/sentimentsurvey.

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See more Sentiment Survey results.