Just think of how many trillions were needed to get us off those lows in 2009. Then think of the additional drain on the consumer from all of the inevitable inflation in necessities. After all was said and done if the man behind the curtain hadn't pulled another round of hijinx three weeks ago we'd be staring down another fall of 2008.
denner: I agree, this is part of the story today for better or worse. Perhaps 60% of daily volume is HFT. I see over the coming months and years increasing volatility will be the norm for other reasons as well. When we look back on this period a generation from now, it will look like a great transition, to what I am not sure. Get used to it.
This BS rally will run out of steam....eventually. The fundamentals will catch-up with it. If these great earning are followed-up with hiring announcements, then it could continue. But I'm hearing some about decent earnings and CONTINUED LAYOFFS.