US stock retail investors turned to selling amid market volatility

```htmlGelonghui April 7｜According to a Citadel Securities report, retail investors sold off US stocks and options last week, a sharp contrast to the previous years of continuous buying. Net spending in March dropped 55% compared to February and fell 70% from the peak in January. Options trading shifted toward defensive strategies, with increasing demand for downside protection. Historical data indicates that such retail sell-offs often signal a stronger upcoming rise in the S&P 500 index, with an average increase of 4.1% over two months. This shift stems from market volatility triggered in March by rising oil prices and the Iran conflict. So far this year, the S&P 500 index has fallen 5%, while Brent crude oil prices have surged 80%.```