A further rise in oil prices and a retreat in Treasury yields could also create more headwinds for the market, |
A further rise in oil prices and a retreat in Treasury yields could also create more headwinds for the market. |
All in all, I think investors are trying to put on a positive face and push stocks higher into the year-end. I think the market is going to try to build on yesterday's modest gains. |
All three major tech stocks that reported after the bell yesterday beat estimates and raised guidance, and were certainly a positive shot in the arm for tech investors. |
As the day progresses, oil prices have started to dominate trading and lead to weakness in the market. |
At the moment, I'm cautiously positive about the market, recognizing though that as we go through the year, the economy and corporate profits are likely to slow. |
Buying enthusiasm dried up as the day progressed. Lingering worries over rising energy prices and higher bond yields may have finally caught up with the market. |
Clearly, we're seeing a Bush victory rally. |
Despite terrorist events around the world, rising oil prices and a lukewarm job market, consumer spending has remained fairly strong, much better than many would have thought. But if the economic data starts to slow and oil rises above $60 a barrel, that could eat into consumer spending. |
Despite the Democratic National Convention, the biggest story of the week has been energy prices. That's prevented the market from seeing a bigger rally off these oversold conditions. |
Earnings for the fourth quarter have generally met or exceeded expectations. We've seen solid reports from a number of different industries, with strength not just in energy, as in previous quarters in 2005. |
Everyone expects the Fed to raise (a quarter point) and everyone wants to see if there is a change in the outlook that gives hints about future meetings. |
February has historically been a lackluster month for the stock market. |
February has historically been a lackluster month for the stock market. Despite many positive corporate earnings reports, investors should be prepared for some choppy or sideways trading over the near term. |
Five percent is a real psychological number, there's no question about it. I think the odds are increasing that the stock market is due for a bit of a pullback. A close in the 10-year [bond yield] above 5% could be the catalyst for a bit of a short-term correction in equity prices. |