Market Outlook: The holiday-shortened week also proved to be an uneventful one, with the S&P 500 tacking on about another 15 points (about 1.1%), but on amazingly low volume. Still, a gain is a gain is a gain, and the unlikely rally has continued to march. All told, the rally since coming off the November 16th low now stands at 6.8%. If you don't count the early-November dip as an actual correction (it was only a 4.3% slide from high to low), then the S&P 500 has actually advanced 19.9% since the August 31st bottom. Yes, you read that right.... we're up nearly 20% for the last (almost) four months (click here to see the chart). Just for the record, we've seen bigger uninterrupted moves. The March/June of 2009 run-up was good for a 38% gain, while the July/December rally in the same year was a 24% move. Both were bigger in terms of total points as well, advancing more than the 200 points we've seen the S&P 500 add on over the last four months. So no, it's not like this is unheard of. It is largely unheard of, however, at this stage (the second stage) of bull markets -- gains like this tend to occur only in the first or second 'wave' of new bull markets, as euphoria is rampant and we see the biggest swings from pessimism to optimism. To read the rest of this article, click here.   Some Holiday Reading - SCN Community The Last Trading Day Before Christmas Sets a Tone 2010 has been a pretty good year, overall, for the markets. Are there any signs or clues of whats to come in 2011? Perhaps there are more signs to read within the slow trading month of December. Fertilizer Ready to Grow in 2011 After Tough 2010 - Here's Why There are many different types of products and companies to invest in. Why not fertilizer? Wherever there is money to be made with good upside potential, that's where we, as investors, should be looking. 2011 could be the year for manure. Wineries and Distilleries Share a Good Harvest at the Holidays Retail stores may not be the only companies to experience a rush during the holiday season. Is there any correlation with the holidays and the numbers out for some of these companies?  A Short Squeeze Perfect Storm: Radient Pharmaceuticals Like a pressure cooker ready to explode, the downside pressure releases for a nice rally. Is that an indicator of a change in direction or is it just temporary bump? Read M.E. Garza's technical analysis of the move. One of the more popular articles from the last week. Samsung, Hyundai, Is There Money For Investors in South Korea? Korea has been a hot topic recently. Mainly due to the growing tensions and threats of war between the North and the South. But what about investments? We all know the products that come out of South Korea; they seem to be getting better. Is there still opportunity to make money on South Korean companies or have they peaked out? Repligen Corporation (NASDAQ: RGEN) Another Attractive Biotech Phase 2 and 3 trials gearing up for this company. 2011 could be a make or break year.  The Housing Bust Has Been a Boost to the Storage Industry Seems logical that an industry to benefit from the real estate collapse would be public storage. One such company has experienced some pretty explosive growth over the last several years. More Articles Is Africa Becoming the Handmaiden of China? Stellar Performers in the Diversified Investment Arena Tangible Timeline Target Set for Ohr Pharmaceuticals Auto Parts Makers Too Hot For Their Own Good? Riding the Cultural Wave of Product Marketing in China: SkyPeople Fruit Juice (SPU) Will Swap Execution Facilities Reduce the Risk? When Insiders Buy Big and Sell Big The Housing Bust has been a Boost to the Storage Industry The Ratings Agencies Give Portugal a Work Over Wireless Names Coming on Strong The Trend of the e-Book Updated technical analysis: Advanced Cell Technology Why Greece is So Important to the World A Sign of the Times; a Flight to Equity as Investors Turn from Bonds Regional Banks Merge and Acquire at Years End Why Everyone, All of a Sudden, Loves This Stock A Cautionary Note for the Weekend Reader: Oil Theatres or $1 Redbox or Early Release Video on Demand