Recent data indicates a notable shift in retail investor sentiment, with 60.6% expressing bearish outlooks for the next six months, marking the second-highest level since the Great Financial Crisis. The NDR Research Daily Trading Sentiment Composite has also fallen to 22.2, the lowest since August 2024, suggesting a potential market bottom unless a bear market is confirmed. This bearish sentiment is further underscored by reports indicating that 19.4% of investors are bullish, while the stock market has plunged to an Extreme Fear Level of 14, the highest since 2022. Additionally, the retail ETF, $XRT, is nearing a 20% pullback and a 52-week low, reflecting the challenging market conditions for retail investors.