FEAR & GREED INDEX 65
Weekly Update
The Fear & Greed Index (found on cnn.com) is one of the easiest indicators to use to determine current market emotion. This simple to read gauge, highlighted in our publication When to Buy and When to Sell: Combining Easy Indicators, Charts, and Financial Astrology (available on Amazon), is measured in a range from 0-100, and currently reads 65 as of the close on Friday, August 14, 2026.
The gauge remained in the mid-Greed category this week, rising just 1 point from last week’s close of 64. This was reflected in the S&P 500, which saw a slight increase of 28 points, from 7,757 to 7,785, with the Dow Jones reaching all-time highs again this week.
The 7 internal factors used to formulate this gauge are listed on the screen (below):
Market Momentum – (S&P 500 vs its 125-day moving avg) = GREED
Market Volatility (measured by the VIX) = NEUTRAL
Put to Call Ratio 5-day avg. (# of Puts (bearish) vs Calls (bullish) = GREED
Stock Price Strength (# of new 52-week highs vs new 52-week lows) = FEAR
Stock Price Breadth (# of shares rising vs falling on NYSE) = GREED
Safe-Haven Demand (which measures stocks vs bonds) = EXTREMEGREED
Junk Bond Demand (non-govt. bond yieldspread) = EXTREME GREED
This week, 4 of these 7 factors changed categories, as most categories drifted closer to neutral, with the exception of Safe-Haven Demand, which increased to Extreme Greed. The all-important, and wildly fluctuating, Put to Call Ratio remained at the Greed level, suggesting the rally may be becoming vulnerable.
Moving Averages’ (MAs) bullish sentiment strength held steady, with the longer-term 200-days remaining even with last week’s reading of 61% (with the DJIA leading at 77%). The shorter-term MAs rose slightly, to 65% on the 50-MA (vs 64% last week), and 62% on the 20-MA (vs 61% last week). The industry landscape has now broadened and balanced, with Financials (important for a bull market) and Energy (constantly fluctuating with the daily change in the military conflict perception) remaining strong. Communications,Utilities and Real Estate (all interest rate sensitive) rose this week with the diminishing expectation of a rate hike in September.
The “Risk-On” sentiment was moderate this week with no real change. The VIX, (market volatility), fell 0.6 points, to 14.3, by week’s end, vs last weeks close of 14.9. As we often note, any break-through of the crucial “20” mark suggests a pullback, which it briefly hit on July 29. 10-yr bond yields rose 0.5 points, to 4.69%, from last week’s close of 4.64%, after the tame inflation reports helped keep markets rather calm. Interest rates reached 19-year highs last week, however, which heeds caution.
Economic reports this week focused on the inflation numbers provided by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producers Price Index (PPI), which were essentially in-line, while Retail Sales and Consumer Sentiment were weaker than expected.
Astrologically, we continue through Leo season (self, leadership) for another week, until August 22. Leo, a fixed,fire sign, known for more weakness in market performance than its predecessor, Cancer (historically the 2nd strongest), which was essentially even in a non-traditional year. Major uncertainty persists in current market conditions, despite recent highs, which is not expected to change anytime soon. Please review our Sign Language – Leo blog, dated 7-8-26 for more details.
Current shorter-term transits/aspects of note include the planet Venus, transiting the sign of Libra (Aug 6 – Sept 9), signifying a fair, balanced, overall market in the short-term. The planet Mercury, now traveling through the sign of Leo (until Aug 25) symbolizes major communications among global leaders, as it approaches a conjunction with the Sun on August 27. This could also move markets based on those positive or negative headlines. A Solar Eclipse was also experienced on Wednesday, August 12, though this event historically has little effect on the financial markets.
Longer-term, the planet Jupiter is positionedthe sign of Leo until July 26, 2027, highlighting fashion, self-pleasing products, creativity, and travel (signified by the Consumer Discretionary sector), as well as leadership, defense, and gold (Please refer to our Trader Transits – Jupiter in Leo blog, dated 6-12-26, for further information). Stocks in those sectors have shown some improvement (as expected), though discretionary stocks have stalled with this week’s low Consumer Sentiment reading. Keep in mind that travel-related stocks are also sensitive to oil prices, which are vulnerable to the military conflict status (or “perceived” status). Also, as discussed heavily in recent months, Uranus (sudden, unexpected events/high technology) will remain in the sign of Gemini (communications, transportation, advanced technology) until 2033. Uranus’ energies were calmer this week, though quick, unexpected reversals, in both directions, as the market cannot seem to make up its mind (Gemini), are expected to continue, as we’ve expressed in the past several weeks. Please also review our Trader Transits – Uranus in Gemini blog, dated 3-30-26, for more details.
As we have noted for over 1 year now, sectors of the technology industry that are likely to continue their advance into the future include AI, robotics, quantum computing, and space development, with both Pluto positioned in Aquarius, and Uranus in Gemini for many years to come, though they will experience pullbacks (sometimes sizeable) along the way.
Gold (ruled by the Sun), and Silver (ruled by the Moon), fluctuated this week and finished slightly higher, after a rather long consolidation period. The Gold to Silver Ratio closed at 67.6, down 0.7 points from last week’s close of 68.3, remaining rather neutral. As we continue to stress, both metals remain good buys after pullbacks, so long as central banks continue to buy, which they are, and Safe-Haven investments remain popular, which is expected.
Finally, Bitcoin (ruled by Uranus) continues to experience a long consolidation and has hopefully found a bottom. Its Fear & Greed Index closed at 36, vs last week’s close of 40, the first drop in 4 weeks. The Clarity Act, a bill designed to regulate the cryptocurrency and blockchain spaces in the U.S., and could boost the sector, advanced through the committee on Friday, July 24, and now continues to await Senate approval. Please see our Did You Know? – About The Clarity Act blog, dated 7-26-26, for further information.
***As always, this information is not intended to be financial advice, or any specific buy or sell recommendation, but rather a guide to assist the reader in some further understanding of current economic conditions/movements in the sky, and how they can affect moods, behaviors, world events, and financial markets.
