Momentum Fades as Fear Lingers — Energy Bucks the Selloff
Stay Hedged and Adding. Stocks are holding up on the surface, but breadth is weak and fear is rising fast.
October 23, 2026 at 12:03 PM EDT
Justification
Stocks are holding up on the surface, but breadth is weak and fear is rising fast. The Fear and Greed Index sits at 21, just one point above Extreme Fear, and RSI at 44.3 signals fading momentum. The 10-year Treasury yield fell 0.3 points over two weeks, which helps equities but also signals growth worry. With the VIX at 19.2 — below 20 — option premiums are still cheap, so buying protective puts on existing positions is the most cost-effective hedge right now.
Since the Last Issue
- Fear and Greed Index moved from 23 to 21 since the prior issue, deepening into Extreme Fear territory.
- VIX fell from 20.0 to 19.2 since the prior issue, dropping back below the key 20 level.
📡 Today's Opportunity Radar: XOP · FCG · SMH. Full ideas in the Opportunity Radar section below.
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