Individual investors are so concerned about the risk of a U.S. stock-market crash that the pessimism signals share prices are poised to rise, according to Bespoke Investment Group LLC. The CHART OF THE DAY compares the performance of a crash- confidence index, compiled by the Yale School of Management, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in the past decade. Yale’s gauge shows the percentage of individuals that expect the market to avoid a 1929- or 1987-style plunge in the next six months. Confidence dropped to lows in November 2002 and April 2009, a month after the two most recent bull markets in stocks began. Last ... (full story)