Stocks have been on a one-way train all month long. Now, as we approach Groundhog Day, the market appears to be having its own version of it as the Dow faces 14,000 and the S&P 500 struggles at 1500. As investors peer out above these levels, will they collectively see their shadow and retreat to safety for the next six weeks? Or will they bravely march forward into the clear blue skies to challenge the all-time highs from 2007? Read more about Sector Detector: Stock market having its own Groundhog Day

The market remains sensitive to weak forward outlooks and continues to punish those stocks that miss on revenues and beat on earnings. Today, ESRX, Z, and BSFT bore the brunt of that attitude, down -14%, -21%, and -11% respectively after-hours.

But not all is morose. EOG and CVI delivered great earnings reports and raised their forward outlooks, and the market responded positively, though not in as dramatic a fashion as the disappointers. Read more about What the Market Wants: After Tomorrow, Another Uncertainty Bites The Dust

After two consecutive weeks of more than 200 basis points of growth in S&P 500 market prices, resulting from general enthusiasm over the stimulus decisions of the ECB, Fed, and Japanese Central Bank, the market took profits relatively quietly last week. Last week’s economic reports were generally flat. Read more about What the Market Wants: Caution is the Word of the Week

The ISM reports showed mixed signals this time as the PMI (manufacturing) missed the consensus mark by 0.3% at 49.8%, and the NMI (non-manufacturing) beat the consensus by 0.6% at 52.6%. Although muted as usual, the Dow's initial reactions were in the same direction as the consensus miss and later, the consensus beat. Read more about 15 Stocks For Bulls And 15 For Bears, Based On ISM

Technology led today’s robust rally as the dollar continued to weaken. Financials, especially banks, remained strong the first three days of last week then fell to profit-taking on the final two days, ending down a little more than -0.5% for the week.  Today, that sector regained all of that loss and advanced an extra 25 basis points to reach near multi-year highs, although it is still more than 50% off its early 2007 high. Read more about What the Market Wants: Good Start to a New Week

Same Old Story, Different Excuse

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems Read more about What the Market Wants: Same Old Story, Different Excuse

Monday Market Movement - Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy!!

By Phil of Phil's Stock World Read more about Monday Market Movement - Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy!!

Testy Tuesday – Gentle Ben vs. Reality

By Phil at Phil's Stock World

Behold the power of prayer! Read more about Testy Tuesday – Gentle Ben vs. Reality