SentimentComposite (CNN/Internal)Daily

Market Fear & Greed Index

What is Market Fear & Greed Index?

The Fear & Greed Index is a composite sentiment gauge built from seven inputs: market momentum, stock price strength, breadth, put/call ratio, junk-bond demand, market volatility, and safe-haven demand. It scores from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed).

Why it matters

Sentiment extremes are contrarian signals. Readings below 25 (extreme fear) have historically coincided with intermediate-term buying opportunities; readings above 75 (extreme greed) often precede corrections. The index is one input — not a standalone signal.

How to read prints

When it rises

Greed dominating; tactical caution warranted as risk premium compresses.

When it falls

Fear dominating; contrarian buying setups often emerge below 25.

Frequently asked

What is the Fear & Greed Index?⌄
A 0-100 composite of seven equally weighted market inputs. CNN publishes a widely cited version; institutional desks compute internal variants with the same inputs.
What are the seven inputs?⌄
Momentum (S&P 500 vs 125-day MA), price strength (52-week highs vs lows), breadth (McClellan summation), put/call ratio, junk-bond demand (HY-IG spread), market volatility (VIX vs 50-day), and safe-haven demand (stocks vs bonds 20-day return).
Is it a reliable signal?⌄
As a contrarian gauge at extremes (<20 or >80), it has decent historical hit rates over 1-3 month horizons. In the middle of the range it carries little signal.
How does this differ from the VIX?⌄
The VIX is one of seven inputs. Fear & Greed adds breadth, momentum, and cross-asset flow data the VIX alone does not capture.

Track it on Market Ontology

Monitor Market Fear & Greed Index in real time on Sentiment & Flows, alongside regime classification, transmission mapping, and cross-asset context.

SourceComposite (CNN/Internal)
FrequencyDaily
CategorySentiment
Unit0-100
Related ModuleSentiment & Flows

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