S&P 500: What to Make of Fear Versus Greed

This sentiment index combines seven indicators into one useful trend measure

By Elliott Wave International

That is — market participants generally go from feeling deeply pessimistic all the way to feeling highly optimistic — and then back again.

These swings in investor psychology tend to produce similar circumstances at corresponding points in the Elliott wave structure of the main stock market indexes.

Let’s now consider the opposing mindsets of fear and greed and see what they reveal at this juncture in the S&P 500’s price pattern.

This chart and commentary are from the January Elliott Wave Financial Forecast, a monthly publication which covers major U.S. financial markets:

The Fear and Greed Index (CNN.com) … combines seven different indicators into a sentiment measure. As shown, levels of Extreme Greed have occurred at or shortly before highs in the S&P 500 over the past year.

And this headline from Jan. 12 shows that even those at the top of the investment food chain are exhibiting no caution whatsoever — nor are they encouraging others to do so (Moneywise):

‘I’m more optimistic than ever’: Billionaire [CEO of Major Investment Firm] says investors should be 100% in equities if they can handle it

A year or two from now the current sentiment of this CEO and other optimistic investors may turn out to have been spot on.

Presently, the S&P 500 does hover near its record high. Yet, yet you may want to check out what the Elliott wave model reveals. In our view, it’s very much worth your immediate attention.

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By knowing what Elliott rules will not allow, you can deduce that whatever remains is the proper perspective, no matter how improbable it may seem otherwise. By applying all the rules of extensions, alternation, overlapping, channeling, volume and the rest, you have a much more formidable arsenal than you might imagine at first glance. Unfortunately for many, the approach requires thought and work and rarely provides a mechanical signal. However, this kind of thinking, basically an elimination process, squeezes the best out of what Elliott has to offer and besides, it’s fun! We sincerely urge you to give it a try.

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