According to CoinMeta, Citadel, the head of securities stocks and derivatives strategy, Scott Rubner, stated that the risk-return prospects for stocks are deteriorating. September is typically the worst month for the stock market, with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index having the lowest average monthly return. Current option prices are at their lowest of the year, making buying stock market protection options quite attractive. In a strategy report to clients on Monday, Rubner pointed out that the bullish trend that drove the Standard & Poor's 500 Index to record highs in August is changing. He noted that while this does not mean there has been a change in the long-term view on stocks, the short-term changes in risk-return are worth paying attention to. Rubner also mentioned that September is not only historically a poor month but also the period with the weakest buying activity among retail traders. Since 2019, when the Standard & Poor's 500 Index has fallen, the average level of retail net purchases has been about half of the average.