BofA's Hartnett Bull & Bear Indicator Hits 9.7—Extreme Greed Signals Sell

On August 5 (Wed), BofA's Hartnett Bull & Bear Indicator hit 9.7, up from 9.4 and its highest level since 2021—a strong contrarian sell signal for risk assets (banks, industrials, semis/tech). 

 

The indicator aggregates positioning (hedge funds and long-only managers), equity/bond flows, global equity breadth, and tight credit spreads. Historically, readings over 8 have preceded modest average equity declines of 2-3% over 1-3 months (around 60% hit rate), with occasional larger drawdowns, prompting BofA to recommend rotating toward defensives (stable, less cyclical sectors like consumer staples and often utilities/healthcare).

 

See also:

Namzes (August 8, 2026) - All Eyes on OpEx: Volatility Ready to Break Out.

TPR (August 6, 2026) - S&P 500 Hits New ATH as Smart Money Starts Bailing.

Two Years of +20% Gains for the S&P 500: What's Next? | Michael Hartnett

Michael Hartnett, Chief Investment Strategist at Bank of America, notes that the S&P 500 is on track for a +20% return in two consecutive years. This has occurred only four times in the past 150 years: 1927/28, 1935/36, 1954/55, and 1995/96. 

 

Historical analysis of returns in the following two years reveals two key insights:

1. The S&P 500 is likely to experience another significant double-digit move in 2025.
2. Falling bond yields may serve as the "secret sauce" that helps the S&P 500 avoid the substantial reversals seen in 1929/30, 1937/38, and 1956/57, potentially catalyzing further significant equity gains, similar to what occurred in 1997/98.

Michael Hartnett (BofA), November 22, 2024. 

 

Decennial Cycle: Average annual change in the DJIA (1881-2023).

 

 Ned Davis Research.

See also:

Tom DeMark (November 15, 2024) - US Stock Market Nearing a Top Similar to 1929.