Quote from scriabinop23:
Lehman induced shock took us from 1200>800 in two weeks. The Lehman shock (as well as systemic risk) is now absorbed. Now the market bleeds higher to 1200 at least while everyone begs for a correction constantly.
Look at treasury yields, econometric analysis of employment indicators, volatility, commodities, etc. for evidence the depression the market was pricing in wasn't as bad as everyone expected.
Once the next round of foreclosure inventory is absorbed (6 months) and PPIP is well in full gear, you will be blown away how fast equities move up.
I'm not begging for a correction; it's just that technically, I believe we are due. Fundamentally, the administration (like them or not) has been orchestrating a well-rehearsed script, to lift optimism (and the markets). Unemployment is still at record highs, foreclosure levels are extremely high (and a new wave will be hitting us in 2010, due to a new wave of ARM adjustments), the deficit and debt are at record levels, blah, blah, blah.
We may see 9000 first, but we will correct hard, and re-test 7400, IMO. Traders have short-term memories, and I realize euphoria is abound, but the laws of supply and demand always win out in the end. Just be ready to book profits, and make money on the way down.
I do agree, that the move downward may have been over-exaggerated, but it wasn't just Lehman that caused this. The unregulated and unscrupulous derivatives market, and the greed on Wall Street that led to the false ratings of the mortgage securities market bundles, were the real killers. These problems do not go away over night, and don't let the market's bullish sentiment let you forget about all the collateral damage that has been done.