Stock Market Ups and Downs

DEAN ROHRER

BARRIE MAGUIRE

CHRIS VAN ES

PAUL LACHINE

MARGARET SCOTT

PEDRO MOLINA

Dow 10,000?

by Derek Thompson

The Dow pushed past 9000 yesterday to close at an eight-month high. This was just two days after notching a seventh consecutive winning session for only the fourth time in the last 20 years. What does it all mean? Truly, I haven't the slightest clue. If I did, I'd find a way to market that kind of clairvoyance for a seven-figure salary on Wall Street and pool half my earnings into daily sports betting. Instead, as a mere blogger, all I have is analysis. So let's ask: Should investors prepare themselves for a 5-digit Dow?

Almost everybody I can find seems to say: Don't expect the rally to continue in the short-term. Indeed today, the markets have taken a hit with Microsoft announcing its second down quarter in a row. Here's short survey of analysts' advice: (read more)