Bullish Blog

AFP - Most Gulf stock markets on Thursday ended 2009 higher following massive losses in the previous year because of the global economic downturn, but their rebound was halted by the Dubai debt crisis.

Reuters - A former senior Chinese police officer faces investigation on charges of taking massive bribes, official media reported on Thursday, in a development that appears to be linked to a broadening stock manipulation scandal.

AFP - British and French stock markets rose Thursday in light holiday-shortened trade to finish 2009 with bumper annual gains of more than 22 percent amid growing investor confidence over economic recovery.

Reuters - U.S. stocks ended 2009 on Thursday with their best gains since 2003, driven by optimism about the economy’s recovery and a brighter outlook for profits.

AP - World stocks edged up Thursday, with traders heading into the long New Year’s weekend in upbeat mood following a nine-month bull run that has seen many markets advance over 50 percent.

If you think dental products, data storage and railroad equipment are yawners, check out the solid earnings and reasonable prices of these small-cap sleepers.

Investor’s Business Daily - New York City’s Times Square was closed briefly and 3 nearby buildings, including the Nasdaq stock exchange, were evacuated a day before New Year’s Eve festivities. A parked van with tinted windows, no plates and a bogus law enforcement placard led the NYPD to clear the area about 11 a.m. Wed. and send in a bomb squad. No explosives were found, and the area was reopened to traffic about 2 hours later.

Investor’s Business Daily - Inventories dropped by a less-than-expected 1.54 mil barrels to 326 mil in the week ended Dec. 25, the Energy Dept. said, as cold weather underpinned demand. Gasoline stocks fell by 366,000 barrels to 214.96 mil. Distillate stocks, including heating oil and diesel fuel, fell by 2.06 mil barrels to 159.28 mil. Refining capacity utilization edged up to 80.3%. Crude rose 41 cents to $79.28 a barrel, the highest close since Nov. 19. Oil has risen 14% since Dec. 14.

Even if the worst of the downturn is over, there still could be some rough road ahead. Fortunately, these picks are packaged for success in any kind of market.

AP - Stocks ended the next-to-last day of 2009 little changed as welcome news on manufacturing helped offset a drop in commodities prices. The market drew support Wednesday from a gain in the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index, which signaled growth in Midwest manufacturing.