Investors haven't become super pessimistic on stocks since the recent volatility bout began. Specifically, the firm's Crowd Sentiment Poll — a gauge for intermediate market sentiment — shows excessive optimism among investors after dipping to neutral last month. NDR's nearer-term daily trading composite, meanwhile, points to more neutral sentiment. Wall Street is also anxiously looking ahead to the U.S. presidential election in November. So bottom line: It may take another bout of selling to shake out the weak bullish investors and restart the long-term trend.

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Persons: Ned Davis, London Stockton, Goldman Sachs downgrades, Morgan Stanley, Richard Ramsden Organizations: Ned Davis Research, London, Reserve, U.S Locations: NDR's