In this week’s Take 5, hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, explore the strange disconnect between rising markets and skeptical investors—and what that might signal for the second half of 2025.
Despite market gains of more than 25% since April, professional investors remain cautious. Meanwhile, meme stocks are back from the dead, driven by retail traders—but broader enthusiasm is missing. So… where did all the bulls go?
Key Takeaways:
- The market is sending contrarian bullish signals—low sentiment despite market strength is historically a positive sign.
- Retail trading is heating up in pockets, like meme stocks, but institutional caution is widespread.
- The economy is still growing, but slower spending, wage growth, and hiring show softening.
- The Fed is still in play: rate cuts could support the markets and small businesses.
- The global bull market continues, and U.S. strength is just one part of a broader story.
