The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed further improvement in the overall market sentiment, but the index remained in the “Fear” zone on Thursday. U.S. stocks settled higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 recording gains for the sixth consecutive session. The index is now down around 2% from its record after gaining more than 3% this week. On the economic data front, U.S. retail sales gained 1% month-over-month in July versus a revised 0.2% decline in June and higher than market estimates of a 0.3% gain. U.S. initial jobless claims declined by 7,000 to 227,000 in the week ending August 10, versus market estimates of 235,000. The NY Empire State Manufacturing ...