Nikkei Opens Higher On Friday

Among the various schools of thought surrounding the market, three are making the news frequently lately.

First there are a few who believe that the market at present sees the edges of the recession's end. They think that the present rally is firm and within margins it will hold.

Then there is the economy starts moving in 2010. They would tend to believe that the present market is a bear rally but the firm bullish times are near.

Finally there is the recession is not even close to running its course, this is definitely a bear rally, and we have to look forward to far more unemployment, a lower DOW, many belly up banks, and a few years of devaluation, etc etc.

Personally I am clueless about who is right but that won't stop me from offering my thoughts. I suspect some corporations are doing perhaps average to safe business which at this point is good. Some corporations are tanking or will tank later this year. Layoffs are going to continue, with the 500,000+ per month figure being the norm. I think the stock market will drop again. I can't see how the present rally is firm based on a 500 point rise earlier on Monday. That was in some ways like too much plastic surgery in an unwarranted situation.

Reuters: Nikkei hits 2-1/2-month high on U.S. hopes

"The Nikkei could even test 9,000 today on the improving situation -- the U.S. 'bad bank' scheme is progressing and housing and consumer situations appear to be getting better."