I don't understand why you guys make this a big deal. The market isn't even up that much compared to anything in the 90s and the steady trend is a good thing for most people.
The whole system is inflate or die. There is no going back because no one can service the heaps of debt being created. It almost makes you want to get as much credit as possible and just spend because default is not an option.
tell that to the private equity firms buying out public companies and flipping them like real estate. That WILL END SOON AS WELL.
GM is an interesting example of this right now. They burn, on average, 5 billion a year in cash. Lost 10 billion last year and will do about the same this year factoiring in restructuring costs. Thwy admit they will be cash negative next year, are a half trillion in debt, and just announced they intend to increase spending... This was the #1 performer on the dow in 2006.
just be fast with your exits----as last jan. was the high for most stocks last year dell, intc, yahoo---japan raises rates the 25th i think---reducing the carry trade angle, geo-political, etc., many risks giving people the excuse to sell (or forcing them to) also, remember when people start talking about risk-free trades--i.e., remember the condo market in miami 2 years ago--its near the end of the bubble/runnup!