I do not put much emphasis on charts intraday, except in the spoos for s/r. However, on daily and longer time frame, I take T/A very seriously.
In case you haven't noticed, the spoo daily chart just painted an inverse head and shoulders. The spoo action today broke out of both the HS neckline, and if you look at the downtrend, you will see that 1090 was also a critical Technical breakout.
If you believe in these "signals" the "market" in the form of the DOW at least is headed for high 10's and maybe 11000. If this pattern fails, then it will be DOW 9000.
IMHO, if you are going to short this market, then I believe it is best to do it as P2 is doing - stock specific with puts for the "intermediate" term. However, given the above analysis is accurate, this is a great time to buy straddles if one is looking to do an "options" play (options experts please chime in other strategies.)
As far as shorting IBM or MSFT or INTC, God save you, even if you are "right," as if the market picks up steam, these stocks, barring news, are usually glued to the spoos or the NAZ futures, respectively. However, if the pattern fails, which is antipercentage, but possible, you will be very happy indeed shorting...
nitro