I always think some of these major traders/institutions know the data before it is released. And they can actually move markets. Don't think US data will make us jump 500 points up.
the news could make bears happy then kill them along the way, same for bulls, what do you think?
J, Remember its not the acutual data, but the speculation that causes this mayhem. 1000 points down, think 500 up is fair enough.
R, I see your point and would agree, but this bear is very strong, so I'm cautious. If you think about it, tapering is supposed to be priced in long time ago already, but yet we see slides on fresh speculation everytime. This is purely speculation, but I think we will still have a santa rally, with or without tapering. Right now markets are running a "buy one get one free" discount and someone will pick it up.