It was too much for the market to overcome. Otherwise, it could have been an even better year profit-wise if so much of (companies’) earnings weren’t deflected into energy costs.

I think we’re coming to the end of it. The rise of energy prices and the general impact of the hurricane would make it dangerous for the Fed to push rates higher and higher.

The year is starting off with strong M&A activity, and part of what’s driving the economic cycle is consolidation. It does provide some support for the market.

People will be focusing on the 10 o’clock number. The market has shifted to a fear of recession, as implied by inversion of the yield curve, and consumer confidence could go a long way to...

A rising interest-rate environment is a drag on both stocks and on consumer spending. On the other hand, you’ve made your way almost through third-quarter earnings, and you’re about to start the strongest season of...

The alternatives to equity investment today, when money market rates are as high as they are, are much different than they were a year ago. It gives people more of a choice when there is...

I think this may say more about Intel’s competitive position against AMD than it does about some broad-based slowdown in the technology arena.

There isn’t enough good news right now to really get people involved. Most professionals and individuals are just holding, looking for some clarity on the transition in Iraq, looking for some clarity on the presidential...

Modest inflation is certainly not a negative for stocks. The general feeling is that this economy can handle these rate increases. You’re getting to a point where people are starting to look back at stocks...

You will see more and more concern that interest rates will have to continue to rise to cut back some (stock market) speculation.

The issue that the market faces right now is leadership. With the housing stocks losing their leadership, and with energy stocks maybe having run out of steam, the market’s really searching for the next group.

The market has been poised to break out on the upside but there seems to be a lot of resistance to every rally.

Oil’s proving to be a very volatile factor, particularly coming off a remarkably warm winter. But it’s going to stay in focus as long as political events are going on.

The story you’ll start to see people talk about as rates go up around the world is, what type of competition will there be for stocks.

I think that the idea of never-ending, short-term-rate increases no longer seems as likely to people. But I would not be surprised if the Fed still increases, but signals to the market that they are...

Iran and GM are the dark clouds hanging over this market.

This may say more about Intel’s competitive position against AMD than it does about some broad-based slowdown in the technology arena.

The worst of the earnings news is probably out of the way and expectations are probably back in line.