All articles tagged with #sentiment
A Gallup-led survey of 14–29-year-olds shows Gen Z's feelings about AI cooling: excitement drops to 22% in 2026, hope to 18%, while anger rises to 31%, driven by concerns that AI could dim entry-level job prospects. Yet daily AI use remains steady, and many Gen Z respondents expect to need AI skills for college or work after high school, signaling cautious acceptance despite waning enthusiasm.
Bitcoin surged about 7.7% in the last 24 hours, helping lift the total crypto market cap around 7.5%, as investors tilt bullish after President Trump's State of the Union address and as Bitcoin developers discuss upgrades to improve programmability, security and scalability. On-chain activity, including active addresses and daily transactions, has picked up, supporting the rally beyond mere sentiment.
China has reduced the amount of cash that banks must hold in reserve, a move aimed at boosting economic growth as sentiment in the country sours. The cut in the bank reserve ratio is expected to release around 1.2 trillion yuan ($188 billion) in long-term liquidity into the economy. This decision comes as China faces challenges such as a property market slowdown and power shortages, prompting the government to take steps to support the economy.
Homebuilder sentiment improved for the second consecutive month, rising 7 points to 44 on the National Association of Home Builders index, with lower mortgage rates being attributed as a key factor. The increase in sentiment is the highest since September, and builders anticipate single-family starts to grow in 2024, although they may face challenges with building material costs and availability. Regionally, builder confidence increased the most in the Northeast, while remaining flat in the Midwest and rising slightly in the South and West.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) index for US small business sentiment rose to 91.9 in December from November’s 90.6, the first increase in five months, but still below its 50-year average for a 24th-straight month. Concerns persist around labor costs and inflation, with a net negative 25% of businesses reporting improved profits in December and inflation being the top problem for owners. Uncertainty around future economic conditions has also eroded the business outlook, while the share of business owners expecting better business conditions on a six-month basis rose to a net negative 36% in December.
Fund managers are expressing their most positive sentiment towards the stock market since January 2022, according to a survey by Bank of America. The S&P 500 is trading just 1% away from its record close, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has reached record territory. The survey reveals that fund managers expect a "Goldilocks '24" scenario, with policy driving asset prices. The majority believe that interest rate hikes are over and anticipate rate cuts in the first half of 2024. Bonds and technology stocks are seen as the biggest winners in this environment. However, concerns remain about a potential hard landing for the economy, high inflation, and geopolitical turmoil.
U.S. consumer confidence rebounded in mid-December, with the University of Michigan's survey showing a surge in sentiment to 69.4 points from 61.3 in November, surpassing economists' expectations. The increase in confidence is attributed to easing inflation, leaving Americans feeling more positive about the economic future.
Homebuilder sentiment dropped to its lowest point in a year, with the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index falling six points to 34 in November. High mortgage rates have negatively impacted builders, leading to an increase in price cuts to attract buyers. However, builders remain cautiously optimistic due to signs of potential lower interest rates in the near future. The decline in sentiment marks the fourth consecutive month of decreases, with sentiment down 22 points since July. Despite the challenges, recent macroeconomic data suggests improving conditions for home construction in the coming months.
The Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index, which measures investor sentiment, has shifted from neutral to greed as Bitcoin experienced a 12% rally towards the $35,000 level. The index currently stands at 66, the highest since April, indicating a majority sentiment of greed. While extreme greed has historically preceded market tops, the current value is still below the threshold. Contrarian traders may be monitoring the sentiment closely to determine if it leans further towards greed or decide to sell. Bitcoin is currently trading at $34,500 after crossing the $35,000 mark.
Sentiment in the US housing market declined in September as high mortgage rates and expectations of rising home prices deterred buyers. The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index dropped 2.4 points to 64.5, with only 16% of consumers considering it a good time to buy a home. High mortgage rates surpassed high home prices as the top reason for the negative sentiment. Sellers also cited high mortgage rates as a deterrent to selling, exacerbating the shortage of housing inventory. Affordability conditions are at their worst, and the downturn in home sales is expected to persist even if the US avoids a recession.
The recent stumble in the stock market is not only due to rising bond yields but also revisions to S&P 500 earnings forecasts. Wall Street analysts have been lowering their estimates for third and fourth-quarter earnings, erasing previous upside revisions. This shift in sentiment may have played a role in the recent selloff. Many trading algorithms use earnings forecast revisions as an input, and further cuts are expected in the week ahead. Despite the climb in Treasury bond yields, U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday.
Hawks within the ECB prefer more rate hikes before reaching a peak in interest rates, while doves suggest a data-dependent approach. EUR/USD has seen a significant rise, with 1.0965 being the immediate level of resistance and 1.0910 as immediate support. IG client sentiment favors bullish continuation setups after a sentiment reversal. Scheduled risk events experience a significant drop-off this week, with Jerome Powell's testimony in front of the US Senate Banking Committee being the major event.
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index has reached its highest score this year, hitting levels not seen since Bitcoin's all-time high in November 2021. The index aims to present the current sentiment towards Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market, with a score of 66 placing it in the "Greed" territory. Bitcoin has recorded gains of around 27.8% over the past seven days, hitting $28,000 for the first time since June 2022.