The American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) sentiment survey has revealed a notable rise in bearish sentiment among retail investors, with 61.9% expressing negative outlooks for the next six months. This figure marks the highest level of bearish sentiment since March 2009, during the Great Financial Crisis, and is the third-highest reading since the survey's inception in 1987. The bearish sentiment has been increasing for six consecutive weeks, coinciding with a decline in neutral sentiment, which has dropped to its lowest level since April 2020. Concurrently, hedge funds have reportedly sold global stocks at the fastest pace in over a decade, with March 2025 seeing the most aggressive selling since 2013. This trend indicates a broader market unease, as CEO confidence has also plummeted to its lowest point in 12 years, reflecting growing concerns about economic conditions. Furthermore, foreign investors are withdrawing from U.S. equities at an unprecedented rate, contributing to a significant decline in demand for U.S. assets.