Such a high figure probably reflects the natural wish of parents for a better life for their children as well as pessimism over their jobs.

The growth in short positions left a number of traders perplexed because such figures would seem to reflect growing pessimism.

While the answers to the same question have reflected more pessimism than optimism for 15 years, the January numbers did represent a dip.

Analysts said the recent decline reflected pessimism about the economy and perceptions that industrial demand for copper would slacken in a recession.

The index below 50 reflects pessimism and above 50 optimism.

The short covering, which reflects growing pessimism among investors about the market's direction, ended the period at 820.3 million shares.

He says a high ratio of insider selling in earlier periods was more likely to reflect pessimism about prospects for the insiders' companies.

I'd say no," he said, reflecting widespread Republican pessimism about the party's strengths in his home state.

And the decline in the markets both reflects growing pessimism and strengthens the case for that pessimism.

These works reflect pessimism towards technocratic society which is seen as deterring the social participation of citizens.