Like the nice employer who never fails to pay a Christmas bonus every year, Santa seems bound and determined to give bulls the year-end rally they have come to expect. But bears aren’t going away quietly—although bulls got some unintended help from the bears with Tuesday’s short-covering-fueled rally.

Bah! Humbug!

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems

After a nice pop last Friday and an aborted attempt to get it going again on Tuesday, stocks were down 3% for the week through Wednesday. Among the ten U.S. sector iShares, Energy (IYE) and Basic Materials (IYM) have led the market down this week. The “risk-off” movement has sent investors into the safety of the dollar and Treasuries at the expense of stocks and commodities.

The Cause of Monday’s Sell-Off

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems

On a Wing and a Prayer

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems

The Guggenheim Insider Sentiment ETF (NFO) -- which is based on the Sabrient Insider Sentiment Index --  has beat the market since its  inception in 2006.  This article from TheStreet.com (originally published at Insider Monkey) tells you why . . .

Last week provided the start of another leg down in what has been an unpredictable stock market, and the market now appears to be in the midst of forming another bear flag. Since rolling over and selling off strongly in late April, the market has demonstrated all sorts of conflicting formations that have confounded trend traders and investors.