feat: sentiment as a signed adjustment to the composite, not averaged in

Going from no sentiment to a bullish read used to be able to *lower* the composite:
sentiment was blended into the weighted average as an absolute level, so a bullish
75 diluted a ticker already scoring 78. That's backwards for a directional signal.

Now the non-sentiment dimensions form a re-normalized weighted-average base, and
sentiment is applied as a signed adjustment around neutral (50):

    composite = clamp(base + MAX_ADJ * (sentiment - 50) / 50)
    MAX_ADJ   = sentiment weight * 100   (default weight 0.10 → ±10)

Neutral leaves the base unchanged, bullish adds and bearish subtracts (scaled by
confidence, since a 50%-confidence call maps to 50 → no effect), and no sentiment
never penalises. Default sentiment weight 0.15 → 0.10; the weight now means "max ±
points." Composite breakdown exposes base_score/sentiment_score/sentiment_adjustment,
and the ScoreCard shows "Base 78 · sentiment +5.0" plus the per-dimension adjustment.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

app/schemas/score.py

@@ -33,6 +33,12 @@ class CompositeBreakdownResponse(BaseModel):
     missing_dimensions: list[str]
     renormalized_weights: dict[str, float]
     formula: str
+    # Sentiment is applied as a signed adjustment on top of the non-sentiment base
+    # rather than averaged in.
+    base_score: float | None = None
+    sentiment_score: float | None = None
+    sentiment_adjustment: float | None = None
+    max_sentiment_adjustment: float | None = None
 
 
 class DimensionScoreResponse(BaseModel):

app/services/scoring_service.py

@@ -28,13 +28,31 @@ DIMENSIONS = ["technical", "sr_quality", "sentiment", "fundamental", "momentum"]
 DEFAULT_WEIGHTS: dict[str, float] = {
     "technical": 0.25,
     "sr_quality": 0.20,
-    "sentiment": 0.15,
+    "sentiment": 0.10,
     "fundamental": 0.20,
     "momentum": 0.20,
 }
 
 SCORING_WEIGHTS_KEY = "scoring_weights"
 
+# Sentiment enters the composite as a signed adjustment around this neutral point,
+# not as an averaged-in level (see _sentiment_adjustment / compute_composite_score).
+NEUTRAL_SENTIMENT = 50.0
+
+
+def _sentiment_adjustment(sentiment_score: float | None, sentiment_weight: float) -> float:
+    """Signed points sentiment contributes to the base composite.
+
+    +MAX_ADJ at max-confidence bullish (score 100), 0 at neutral (50), -MAX_ADJ at
+    max-confidence bearish (score 0), where MAX_ADJ = sentiment weight * 100. A
+    50%-confidence call maps to score 50 → no effect (a coin flip carries no info),
+    so going from no sentiment to bullish can only ever help.
+    """
+    if sentiment_score is None:
+        return 0.0
+    max_adj = sentiment_weight * 100.0
+    return max_adj * (sentiment_score - NEUTRAL_SENTIMENT) / 50.0
+
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Helpers
@@ -670,10 +688,15 @@ async def compute_composite_score(
     symbol: str,
     weights: dict[str, float] | None = None,
 ) -> tuple[float | None, list[str]]:
-    """Compute composite score from available dimension scores.
+    """Compute the composite score.
+
+    The non-sentiment dimensions form a re-normalized weighted-average *base*.
+    Sentiment is then applied as a signed adjustment around neutral (50), not
+    averaged in: neutral leaves the base unchanged, bullish adds and bearish
+    subtracts (scaled by confidence), so going from no sentiment to bullish can
+    only help. See _sentiment_adjustment.
 
     Returns (composite_score, missing_dimensions).
-    Missing dimensions are excluded and weights re-normalized.
     """
     ticker = await _get_ticker(db, symbol)
 
@@ -686,29 +709,32 @@ async def compute_composite_score(
     )
     dim_scores = {ds.dimension: ds for ds in result.scalars().all()}
 
-    available: list[tuple[str, float, float]] = []  # (dim, weight, score)
+    def _live(dim: str) -> float | None:
-    missing: list[str] = []
-
-    for dim in DIMENSIONS:
-        w = weights.get(dim, 0.0)
-        if w <= 0:
-            continue
         ds = dim_scores.get(dim)
         if ds is not None and not ds.is_stale and ds.score is not None:
-            available.append((dim, w, ds.score))
+            return ds.score
-        else:
+        return None
-            missing.append(dim)
 
-    if not available:
+    missing = [dim for dim in DIMENSIONS if _live(dim) is None]
-        return None, missing
 
-    # Re-normalize weights
+    # Base: re-normalized weighted average of the non-sentiment dimensions.
-    total_weight = sum(w for _, w, _ in available)
+    base_available = [
-    if total_weight == 0:
+        (dim, weights.get(dim, 0.0), _live(dim))
-        return None, missing
+        for dim in DIMENSIONS
+        if dim != "sentiment" and weights.get(dim, 0.0) > 0 and _live(dim) is not None
+    ]
+    sentiment_score = _live("sentiment")
 
-    composite = sum(w * s for _, w, s in available) / total_weight
+    if base_available:
-    composite = max(0.0, min(100.0, composite))
+        total_weight = sum(w for _, w, _ in base_available)
+        base = sum(w * s for _, w, s in base_available) / total_weight
+    elif sentiment_score is not None:
+        base = NEUTRAL_SENTIMENT  # only sentiment present → neutral baseline
+    else:
+        return None, missing  # nothing to score
+
+    delta = _sentiment_adjustment(sentiment_score, weights.get("sentiment", 0.0))
+    composite = max(0.0, min(100.0, base + delta))
 
     # Persist composite score
     now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
@@ -822,22 +848,47 @@ async def get_score(
                     "breakdown": breakdowns.get(dim),
                 })
 
-    # Build composite breakdown with re-normalization info
+    # Build composite breakdown: the non-sentiment base (re-normalized weighted
-    composite_breakdown = None
+    # average) plus sentiment as a signed adjustment around neutral.
-    available_weight_sum = sum(weights.get(d, 0.0) for d in available_dims)
+    base_dims = [d for d in available_dims if d != "sentiment"]
+    available_weight_sum = sum(weights.get(d, 0.0) for d in base_dims)
     if available_weight_sum > 0:
         renormalized_weights = {
-            d: weights.get(d, 0.0) / available_weight_sum for d in available_dims
+            d: weights.get(d, 0.0) / available_weight_sum for d in base_dims
         }
     else:
         renormalized_weights = {}
 
+    fresh = {
+        ds.dimension: ds.score
+        for ds in dim_scores_list
+        if not ds.is_stale and ds.score is not None
+    }
+    if renormalized_weights:
+        base_score = sum(renormalized_weights[d] * fresh[d] for d in base_dims)
+    elif "sentiment" in fresh:
+        base_score = NEUTRAL_SENTIMENT
+    else:
+        base_score = None
+
+    sentiment_val = fresh.get("sentiment")
+    sentiment_weight = weights.get("sentiment", 0.0)
+    sentiment_adjustment = _sentiment_adjustment(sentiment_val, sentiment_weight)
+
     composite_breakdown = {
         "weights": weights,
-        "available_dimensions": available_dims,
+        "available_dimensions": base_dims,
         "missing_dimensions": missing,
         "renormalized_weights": renormalized_weights,
-        "formula": "Weighted average of available dimensions with re-normalized weights: sum(weight_i * score_i) / sum(weight_i)",
+        "base_score": base_score,
+        "sentiment_score": sentiment_val,
+        "sentiment_adjustment": sentiment_adjustment,
+        "max_sentiment_adjustment": sentiment_weight * 100.0,
+        "formula": (
+            "Base = re-normalized weighted average of the non-sentiment dimensions. "
+            "Composite = base + sentiment adjustment, where adjustment = "
+            "MAX_ADJ * (sentiment - 50) / 50 and MAX_ADJ = sentiment weight * 100."
+        ),
     }
 
     return {

frontend/src/components/ui/ScoreCard.tsx

@@ -76,8 +76,14 @@ export function ScoreCard({ compositeScore, dimensions, compositeBreakdown, show
               {compositeScore !== null ? Math.round(compositeScore) : '—'}
             </p>
             {compositeBreakdown && (
-              <p className="mt-1 text-[10px] text-gray-500 leading-snug max-w-[200px]" data-testid="renorm-explanation">
+              <p className="mt-1 text-[10px] text-gray-500 leading-snug max-w-[220px]" data-testid="renorm-explanation">
-                Weighted average of available dimensions with re-normalized weights.
+                {compositeBreakdown.sentiment_adjustment != null &&
+                compositeBreakdown.base_score != null &&
+                Math.abs(compositeBreakdown.sentiment_adjustment) >= 0.05
+                  ? `Base ${Math.round(compositeBreakdown.base_score)} · sentiment ${
+                      compositeBreakdown.sentiment_adjustment >= 0 ? '+' : '−'
+                    }${Math.abs(compositeBreakdown.sentiment_adjustment).toFixed(1)}`
+                  : 'Weighted base of the other dimensions; sentiment adjusts it up or down.'}
               </p>
             )}
           </div>
@@ -107,11 +113,26 @@ export function ScoreCard({ compositeScore, dimensions, compositeBreakdown, show
                     {d.dimension}
                   </span>
                   <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                    {weight != null && (
+                    {d.dimension === 'sentiment' && compositeBreakdown?.sentiment_adjustment != null ? (
+                      <span
+                        className={`text-[10px] tabular-nums ${
+                          compositeBreakdown.sentiment_adjustment > 0.05
+                            ? 'text-emerald-400/80'
+                            : compositeBreakdown.sentiment_adjustment < -0.05
+                            ? 'text-red-400/80'
+                            : 'text-gray-500'
+                        }`}
+                        data-testid="weight-sentiment"
+                        title="Points sentiment adds to or subtracts from the base composite"
+                      >
+                        {compositeBreakdown.sentiment_adjustment >= 0 ? '+' : '−'}
+                        {Math.abs(compositeBreakdown.sentiment_adjustment).toFixed(1)}
+                      </span>
+                    ) : weight != null ? (
                       <span className="text-[10px] text-gray-500 tabular-nums" data-testid={`weight-${d.dimension}`}>
                         {Math.round(weight * 100)}%
                       </span>
-                    )}
+                    ) : null}
                     <div className="h-1.5 w-20 rounded-full bg-white/[0.06] overflow-hidden">
                       <div
                         className={`h-1.5 rounded-full bg-gradient-to-r ${barGradient(d.score)} transition-all duration-500`}

frontend/src/lib/types.ts

@@ -82,6 +82,10 @@ export interface CompositeBreakdown {
   missing_dimensions: string[];
   renormalized_weights: Record<string, number>;
   formula: string;
+  base_score?: number | null;
+  sentiment_score?: number | null;
+  sentiment_adjustment?: number | null;
+  max_sentiment_adjustment?: number | null;
 }
 
 export interface ScoreResponse {

tests/unit/test_scoring_sentiment_adjustment.py

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+"""Composite scoring: sentiment applied as a signed adjustment around neutral,
+not averaged in. Going from no sentiment to bullish must never lower the score."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+import pytest
+from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncSession, async_sessionmaker, create_async_engine
+
+from app.database import Base
+from app.models.score import DimensionScore
+from app.models.ticker import Ticker
+from app.services import scoring_service as svc
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+async def db():
+    engine = create_async_engine("sqlite+aiosqlite://", echo=False)
+    async with engine.begin() as conn:
+        await conn.run_sync(Base.metadata.create_all)
+    factory = async_sessionmaker(engine, class_=AsyncSession, expire_on_commit=False)
+    async with factory() as session:
+        yield session
+    await engine.dispose()
+
+
+# Non-sentiment dims all at 78 → base = 78 at any positive weights.
+BASE_DIMS = {"technical": 78.0, "sr_quality": 78.0, "fundamental": 78.0, "momentum": 78.0}
+
+
+async def _seed(session, dims: dict[str, float]) -> None:
+    ticker = Ticker(symbol="AAA")
+    session.add(ticker)
+    await session.flush()
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    for dim, score in dims.items():
+        session.add(DimensionScore(
+            ticker_id=ticker.id, dimension=dim, score=score, is_stale=False, computed_at=now
+        ))
+    await session.flush()
+
+
+def test_sentiment_adjustment_formula():
+    # weight 0.10 → MAX_ADJ = 10 points
+    assert svc._sentiment_adjustment(None, 0.10) == 0.0
+    assert svc._sentiment_adjustment(50.0, 0.10) == 0.0          # neutral / coin-flip
+    assert svc._sentiment_adjustment(75.0, 0.10) == pytest.approx(5.0)   # bullish 75%
+    assert svc._sentiment_adjustment(100.0, 0.10) == pytest.approx(10.0)
+    assert svc._sentiment_adjustment(25.0, 0.10) == pytest.approx(-5.0)  # bearish 75%
+    assert svc._sentiment_adjustment(0.0, 0.10) == pytest.approx(-10.0)
+
+
+async def test_no_sentiment_equals_base(db):
+    await _seed(db, BASE_DIMS)
+    composite, missing = await svc.compute_composite_score(db, "AAA")
+    assert composite == pytest.approx(78.0)
+    assert "sentiment" in missing
+
+
+async def test_bullish_raises_above_base(db):
+    await _seed(db, {**BASE_DIMS, "sentiment": 75.0})  # bullish, 75% confidence
+    composite, _ = await svc.compute_composite_score(db, "AAA")
+    assert composite == pytest.approx(83.0)  # 78 + 5 — the whole point
+
+
+async def test_neutral_leaves_base_unchanged(db):
+    await _seed(db, {**BASE_DIMS, "sentiment": 50.0})
+    composite, _ = await svc.compute_composite_score(db, "AAA")
+    assert composite == pytest.approx(78.0)
+
+
+async def test_bearish_lowers_base(db):
+    await _seed(db, {**BASE_DIMS, "sentiment": 25.0})  # bearish, 75% confidence
+    composite, _ = await svc.compute_composite_score(db, "AAA")
+    assert composite == pytest.approx(73.0)  # 78 - 5
+
+
+async def test_only_sentiment_uses_neutral_base(db):
+    await _seed(db, {"sentiment": 75.0})
+    composite, _ = await svc.compute_composite_score(db, "AAA")
+    assert composite == pytest.approx(55.0)  # base 50 + 5
+
+
+async def test_no_dimensions_returns_none(db):
+    ticker = Ticker(symbol="AAA")
+    db.add(ticker)
+    await db.flush()
+    composite, missing = await svc.compute_composite_score(db, "AAA")
+    assert composite is None
+    assert len(missing) == 5