Actually, I think the market is going up mostly because of strengthening global economy in addition to Trump due to hopes for tax-cuts (especially corporate tax cuts), more deficit spending (infrastructure), and deregulation. Most importantly, what has he done to really screw up business? Sure he's in the headlines a lot for tweets, but what has he done that's hostile to business? At the very least, he's helped the energy and banking industry a lot more than Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren would have. Although I don't agree with a lot of his behavior, you have a business guy in the white house with enough Goldman guys to ensure that things go well for business.
The cost of pros versus non-pros or any other fee imposed by the exchanges is a sign of increasing technology cost and has nothing to do with the market cycles. Sadly pros paying the prices for non-active customers who need the exchange's pipes as well just for quotes, research, etc.
Thank you Matt, I'm sure this is the voice of reason. There is a belief amongst a vocal group of traders that the world's exchanges, indices and state regulators are run and manipulated solely to take money away from private retail traders. Whereas I believe we are simply invisible on that scale.
Trumpie has done nothing - but tweet. Having said that the market will top out ... once all the bears cover.