U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Bernanke addressed the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress on The Economic Outlook [saying in a nutshell] "We clearly understand the game we are playing, but we are boxed in and have to stay with our current strategy. We hope for the best because we are out of options

US equities remain the only major asset class not [to] experience a bear market or an annualised negative performance during the current investment cycle. This is very rare. The last time US equities posted even a -1% annualised total return was back in middle of 2009, almost five years ago. [As such,] this asset class now presents the most risk to long term investors. [Read on, there's more!] Words: 676; Charts: 3

It's hard to believe there is more upside left in the stock market considering this year's rally...[yet, while] the indices may be wildly overbought in the near term, ...stocks could have a few more years of big gains ahead.

There's nothing to be bearish about regarding the stock market these days. I've reviewed my 9 point "Bear Market Checklist" of indicators and it is a perfect 0-for-9. Not even one indicator on the list is even close to flashing a warning sign so pop a pill and relax. There's no immediate danger threatening stocks.

Despite bulls’ assertions otherwise, the stock markets are not cheap today.  They are quite expensive and very overbought, ripe for a serious selloff. The S&P 500 stock index now has average valuations matching the ones seen in October 2007 when the last cyclical bull topped. Valuations should be around 12x or 13x now, 13 years into this 17-year secular bear.  …

Right now there's nothing to be bearish about. I say that with conviction, because my "Bear Market Checklist" is a perfect 0-for-9. Heck, not a single indicator on the list is even close to flashing a warning sign. We've got nothing but big whiffers! Take a look. Pop a pill and relax. There's no immediate danger threatening stocks.

More economic fallacies than I have ever seen in my investing career are being passed off (and accepted) as profound, and more misbehavior is being tolerated - if not encouraged. Though I don't believe an apocalypse is imminent, below are a few extenuating factors that could lead to one if they [were all to] continue along the same ominous trajectory.

I believe the drivers for the yellow metal remain intact, however, so for investors who can tolerate the ups and downs, gold stocks are a compelling buy. Here are three reasons

For the past few years West Texas Intermediate Crude (WTIC) oil and the S&P 500 have trended together and have hit key highs and lows around the same time window. WTIC is now within 1% of the top of its multi-year pennant pattern which has brought on short-term S&P 500 corrections. What does that mean for the future direction of the S&P 500 this time round?

The S&P 500 is trading at near record high levels on the back of liquidity glut in the financial system. I mention the liquidity factor because all other fundamental factors do not support current levels and valuations.