Laird> great question to ask ZEEV
and he answered it well. IMHO most bulls are looking for a earnings rally into July, only a 25bps rise which will not hurt stocks, and expect higher prices for equities during the election cycle.. They also think crude oil will fall into the low 30's as promised by the Saudi royals. Yet, Many expect a decline after or near the election and for certain 2005.
IMHO the economy/SM is in tough straits, record trade and government deficits, consumers burdened with debt and low wage increases, rising gold, geopolitical risks that are ignored, it does not look good.
I'm very happy holding cash, 5yr gov bonds in a rollover ladder, gold, and some real estate, short SnP since June/03 having added more into the year end spike.
I think we will collapse soon, and retest the Oct/02, March/03 bottom line support trend line, it could come quickly.