2.24.10

Bullish sentiment, expectations that stock prices will rise over the next six months, plunged 9.9 percentage points to 36.6% in the latest AAII Sentiment Survey. This is the first time in 25 weeks that optimism has been below its historical average of 39%.
 
Neutral sentiment, expectations that stock prices will remain essentially flat over the next six months, edged down 0.6 percentage points to 27.2%. This is the 29th consecutive week that neutral sentiment has remained below its historical average of 31%.
 
Bearish sentiment, expectations that stock prices will fall over the next six months, surged 10.7 percentage points to 36.2%. Pessimism is at its highest level since September 2, 2010. This is just the fourth time in the past 24 weeks that bearish sentiment has been above its historical average of 30%.