Bulls found fresh legs on Wednesday with support from the FOMC, despite the reluctance of Greece to “play ball” with its creditors, which has been depressing investor sentiment. Everyone seems to agree that the unresolved debt crisis in Europe is the main thing holding back global economic recovery and the snorting stock market bulls. To be sure, the situation in Europe is not good.

The “risk-on” trade seems to be hanging tough as more than a passing fad. Risk-off means that money is flowing into safe havens like U.S. Treasuries and solid currencies like the U.S. dollar and Swiss franc; whereas risk-on means that money is flowing into more speculative assets like equities, commodities, emerging markets, and higher yielding currencies.

After closing 2011 at exactly the same level it closed out 2010, the S&P 500 came blasting out of the gate with guns a-blazing on Tuesday to celebrate the New Year. It was a welcome sight to scores of nervous investors.

Bulls are trying mightily to ensure the Santa rally holds into year-end and close the year in the positive, as all eyes remain on Europe.

Okay, Virginia, Maybe There is a Santa Claus . . .

Market Surges to 2-Month High--Why?

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems

Market Rally Continues But Not Sure Why...

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems

The usual suspects of Materials, Industrials, Financials and Energy continue to lead this unstable market both up and down. Technology has been less volatile, and in fact it has been tracking closely with Healthcare lately. These two also happen to rank the highest this week in Sabrient’s SectorCast ETF rankings.