Barclays shifts from its long-standing bullish stance, warning retail investors that the S&P 500 index could face a total correction of 6%-7%

Odaily Planet Daily News The shift of the most steadfast bulls often represents the most noteworthy signal in the market. Alex Altmann, Barclays' global head of equity strategy, who has repeatedly called for "holding stocks steady" during market volatility and accurately timed rebounds, has recently issued a rare cautious warning.

In his latest market analysis, Alex Altmann stated that due to multiple pressures from technical overbought conditions, excessive sentiment, and macroeconomic headwinds, he has turned bearish on the short-term outlook for U.S. stocks. He believes the U.S. stock market is currently in the "middle of a hill" of a structural correction, with the biggest concern being the significant disconnect between retail investor sentiment and macroeconomic reality. He drew a comparison to the speculative frenzy of 2021: during that year's market mania, real yields were negative, and cheap money flooded the market. In contrast, financing costs have now surged sharply, and real yields remain high, creating clear pressure on equity valuations.

However, the frenzy among retail investors has even surpassed that of 2021. Alex Altmann bluntly stated: "When the market cannot find a single institutional bear, the return curve for the S&P 500 has often already run its course."