Stock Market 2004 Prediction
"9:04AM Page One - The Thrill Is Gone : Briefing.com has turned essentially neutral in our stock market outlook. Our view is that long-term investors should remain in the stock market, but that the year ahead will produce modest gains at best for the S&P 500 that may not greatly outperform other investments. It is also possible that these gains don't occur until late in the year, similar to the pattern of 2004. It will be much more difficult to find even mini-waves to ride this year.

This is a change in view. Briefing.com developed something of a cheerleader reputation in 2003 as we started pounding the table for stocks in May that year (after which the S&P gained over 20%), despite extreme skepticism about the economy from many quarters. Last year, we remained resolutely moderately bullish through the entire year despite widespread pessimism during the summer months and ahead of the election. Now, however, we are decidedly more cautious on the outlook."