Fear index declined in global markets: Risk appetite is on the rise again

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), Wall Street's so-called fear gauge, fell to 19.9 after climbing to 28.2 the previous week, as risk appetite recovered following the U.S. midterm elections. The pullback came as concerns over artificial intelligence investments eased and expectations grew for a deal in the Middle East, according to the report. The decline in the VIX signals that investors are pricing in less near-term turbulence and are more willing to hold risk assets. Experts cited in the article also flagged that the recent drop in oil prices may continue. Markets will now watch whether the de-escalation in the Middle East holds and whether AI-related spending concerns stay contained, with oil price direction a key gauge of risk sentiment.