AAII Sentiment Survey: Pessimism Surges

Nearly half of individual investors now describe their short-term outlook for stocks as “bearish.” The latest AAII Sentiment Survey also shows large drops in bullish and neutral sentiment.

Bullish sentiment, expectations that stock prices will rise over the next six months, plunged 16.8 percentage points to 21.7%. Optimism was last lower on December 12, 2018 (20.9%). Bullish sentiment is below its historical average of 38.5% for the 24th time this year.

Neutral sentiment, expectations that stock prices will stay essentially unchanged over the next six months, fell 7.4 percentage points to 30.1%. Neutral sentiment was last lower on January 23, 2019 (30.0%). The drop ends an 11-consecutive-week streak of readings above the historical average of 31.0%.

Bearish sentiment, expectations that stock prices will fall over the next six months, jumped 24.1 percentage points to 48.2%. Pessimism was last higher on December 26, 2018 (50.3%). Bearish sentiment is above its historical average of 30.5% for the 10th time in 13 weeks.

Bullish sentiment is at an unusually low level, while bearish sentiment is at an unusually high level. Historically, the S&P 500 index has experienced above-average and above-median returns during the six- and 12-month periods following unusually low readings.

The survey period runs from Thursday through Wednesday. Reminders to take the survey are sent out every Monday.

Many individual investors have been monitoring trade negotiations, particularly between the U.S. and China. Last Thursday’s threat by President Donald Trump to impose new tariffs and the subsequent drop in stock prices likely had a significant impact on this week’s readings. Additionally, a separate survey we recently conducted among AAII members found that 48% expect a recession to start within the next 12 to 24 months.

Also having an influence on sentiment are Washington politics, geopolitics, valuations, corporate earnings, monetary policy and interest rates.

This week’s AAII Sentiment Survey results:

• Bullish: 21.7%, down 16.8 percentage points
• Neutral: 30.1%, down 7.4 percentage points
• Bearish: 48.2%, up 24.1 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.