US Stock Markets Continue To Reach Record Highs- Thanks Obama!

[Teddy B 17,252]

The stock market continued its upward climb Thursday, adding to what has already been a historic year. Traders were encouraged by an unexpectedly large drop in claims for unemployment benefits last week. Trading volume was very low, however, as most portfolio managers have closed out their positions for the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 122.33 points, or 0.8 percent, to 16,479.88.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 8.70 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,842.02.

The Nasdaq composite added 11.76 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4,167.18.

For the week so far:

The Dow is up 258.74 points, or 1.6 percent.

The S&P 500 is up 23.70 points, or 1.3 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 62.44 points, or 1.5 percent.

For the year so far:

The Dow is up 3,375.74 points, or 25.7 percent.

The S&P 500 is up 415.83 points, or 29.2 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 1,147.67 points, or 38.0 percent.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/how-the-dow-jones-industrial-average-did-thursday/2013/12/26/f6cc405e-6e77-11e3-a5d0-6f31cd74f760_print.html

Despite the efforts to downplay the US economic comeback by the Republicans and while the naysayers keep beating on the ACA, the stock markets continue hit all time highs and the US economy is gaining steam. The Dow is up almost 26%, the highest one year gain since 1996 when that other Democrat named Clinton was President. And the housing market is following suit.

Thanks Obama!!

Edited December 27, 2013 by Teddy B

[JohnR! 5,495]

After blaming the POTUS for the poor performance of Wall St., the motley crew will now explain to you how the Oval Office has little or no influence in the stock market and how the actual rally of the DOW can only be attributed to Duck Dinasty.

This will be fun to watch...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The economy is improving, no doubt. All indicators are strong at this point, the IMF has just upgraded the economic outlook for the US. Looking at the situation in many of our peer nations, something has undeniably been done right here. However, the soaring stock markets cannot be all good news. A 26% gain vs. an economy that grew a more modest 2% - 3%, jobs that still grow at a modest pace of 200K per month and incomes that grew a much more modest 1% - 2% would appear to point to some serious imbalance in the economy. Something is off in a major way.

[Teddy B 17,252]

The economy is improving, no doubt. All indicators are strong at this point, the IMF has just upgraded the economic outlook for the US. Looking at the situation in many of our peer nations, something has undeniably been done right here. However, the soaring stock markets cannot be all good news. A 26% gain vs. an economy that grew a more modest 2% - 3%, jobs that still grow at a modest pace of 200K per month and incomes that grew a much more modest 1% - 2% would appear to point to some serious imbalance in the economy. Something is off in a major way.

Be patient, it's coming!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Be patient, it's coming!

I ain't holding my breath.

[Pooky 3,825]

The economy is improving, no doubt. All indicators are strong at this point, the IMF has just upgraded the economic outlook for the US. Looking at the situation in many of our peer nations, something has undeniably been done right here. However, the soaring stock markets cannot be all good news. A 26% gain vs. an economy that grew a more modest 2% - 3%, jobs that still grow at a modest pace of 200K per month and incomes that grew a much more modest 1% - 2% would appear to point to some serious imbalance in the economy. Something is off in a major way.

Do you think the stock market surge is a bubble?

If so, is it a natural occurrence, based on real time information, or do you think it's being driven artificially?

If not, what part of the equation do you think is out of balance?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Do you think the stock market surge is a bubble?

Yes, I do.

[Merle 458]

When the fed fueled stock market bubble breaks like the fed fueled housing bubble did there will be no Bush to blame.

[Karee 4,190]

PE ratio is climbing, but doesn't look all that high. Historically anyway.

[himher 634]

See - all it took was across-the-board budget cuts and a government shutdown but by god the economy is finally on-track again.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Despite the efforts to downplay the US economic comeback by the Republicans and while the naysayers keep beating on the ACA, the stock markets continue hit all time highs and the US economy is gaining steam. The Dow is up almost 26%, the highest one year gain since 1996 when that other Democrat named Clinton was President. And the housing market is following suit.

Thanks Obama!!

Yes, thank you Obama! I know it was the goal of the Dems to make things better for Wall Street, they say so all the time!

The rich get richer and there are more poeple on food stamps than ever! Blacks have lost ground in every economic measurement but rich white folks are doing great!

YAY Obama!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

After blaming the POTUS for the poor performance of Wall St., the motley crew will now explain to you how the Oval Office has little or no influence in the stock market and how the actual rally of the DOW can only be attributed to Duck Dinasty.

This will be fun to watch...

I give Obama 100% credit for making the rich richer and increasing poverty to record levels.

Good job Obama!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The talking heads are still suggesting stocks are undervalued and predicting another 10 to 15 percent gain in the market over 2014, while the financial folks are expecting a significant increase in interest rates over the next three months as the Fed withdraws its support. Energy costs are decreasing as energy utilization will start increasing as the drought in California and the Western US continues to have an effect on food prices. At the same time, retailers are cutting hours in anticipation of Obamacare. Weird, as most of the impact on employers has been deferred until 2015.

Anybody else expect this roller coaster ride of uncertainty to continue?

Edited December 28, 2013 by The Postmaster

[Peikko 1,575]

Most people's retirement plans ride on the stock market so why wouldn't the average Joe want it to do well? Whether one should or should not attribute the success or failure of a particular stock market situation on the incumbent president is of course one of those questions that has no clear answer, but the fact is that upward trends in the stock market represents success not failure.

[OriZ 3,157]

Despite the efforts to downplay the US economic comeback by the Republicans and while the naysayers keep beating on the ACA, the stock markets continue hit all time highs and the US economy is gaining steam. The Dow is up almost 26%, the highest one year gain since 1996 when that other Democrat named Clinton was President. And the housing market is following suit.

Thanks Obama!!

Ya'll are delusional. This will not last. It is a textbook bubble, an artificially inflated market that will come crashing down. Now before you call me a naysayer let me clarify something: I'm not one of those who for the last 5 years have been expecting a bear market. Actually, I managed to call the top of 2007 and bottom of 2009 and have been telling many people in this very forum in public and private that for the next few months(and that was a couple of months ago) all is still ok. BUT, if you think it will continue like this you are sadly mistaken. 2008 will look like a walk in the park. And it will begin within the next year or so. Good luck.