The market is experiencing the traditional Santa Rally, but in a bearish backdrop of woe. If you have profits, watch them like a hawk and book them at the first sign of trouble. It is likely we can go to the old highs by Christmas, as we are within easy striking distance. Anything can happen. We are all certain the Fed will cut 50 bp -- anything less: look out below.
After the first full trading week in January, it's a whole new world. If you want to be short, make certain your constitution and pockets can sustain you until well into the new year. Personally i would use puts, deep and far out, if i was trying to short here. Almost all the economic indicators are pointing to neutral or down, but serious inflation may help hold the market up. (Oh, my god! This is sounding like Fed governor speak.) Bottom line, the markets may go up, but on the other hand they may go down. Intraday traders have the advantage here.