They took 41% of the 378 votes cast, while bears got 37%. Neutral came in at 22%.
In the sectors, biotechnology was chosen as most likely to rise. Semiconductors and semi equpiment was seen as most likely to fall. A bearish call on motherboard shipments by a Goldman Sachs analyst on Friday likely played a role in that selection.
News affecting the market today was Wal-Mart's worse-than-expected growth in same-store sales this month. The giant retailer had predicted an increase of 2% to 4%.
Crude oil futures were trading down $2 a barrel to $58.75. Contributing to the drop in crude prices was the return of BP's (BP) Prudhoe Bay facility in Alaska returning to its full daily output of 400,000 barrels a day. In early August, BP shuttered the field's western half after finding leaks and corrosion there.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was recently up 1 point. The Nasdaq Composite was higher by about 5 points, and the S&P 500 was practically flat.
Below are the complete poll results.
Date
Bullish
Bearish
Neutral
Week Ending S&P % Change
Bullish Sector
Bearish Sector
Oct. 30
156 (41%)
139 (37%)
83 (22%)
Biotechnology
Semis, Semi Equipment
Oct. 23
197 (45%)
118 (27%)
123 (28%)
+ 0.6%
Precious Metals
Homebuilding
Oct. 16
74 (60%)
26 (21%)
23 (19%)
+ 0.2%
Semis, Semi Equipment
Homebuilding
Oct. 9
127 (37%)
156 (41%)
94 (25%)
+ 1.2%
Biotechnology
Semis, Semi Equipment
Sector
Total Votes
Percentage
Aerospace and Defense
10
3%
Airlines
13
3%
Automobiles
5
1%
Beverages and Food Products
18
5%
Biotechnology
47
12%
Commercial Banks
8
2%
Computers and Peripherals
8
2%
Consumer Nondurables
6
2%
Energy Equipment & Services
39
10%
HMOs and Hospitals
3
1%
Homebuilding
6
2%
Insurance
10
3%
Integrated Oil
44
12%
Internet, Software Services
26
7%
Investment Bankers and Brokers
16
4%
Media
5
1%
Multiline Retail
6
2%
Pharmaceuticals
6
2%
Precious Metals
43
11%
Semis, Semi Equipment
17
4%
Telecom Equipment
13
3%
Tobacco and Alcohol
10
3%
Utilities
11
3%
Wireless Communications
7
2%
Source: RealMoney.com
Sector
Total Votes
Percentage
Aerospace and Defense
16
4%
Airlines
19
5%
Automobiles
24
6%
Beverages and Food Products
3
1%
Biotechnology
5
1%
Commercial Banks
11
3%
Computers and Peripherals
20
5%
Consumer Nondurables
7
2%
Energy Equipment & Services
13
3%
HMOs and Hospitals
10
3%
Homebuilding
53
14%
Insurance
1
0%
Integrated Oil
28
7%
Internet, Software Services
8
2%
Investment Bankers and Brokers
5
1%
Media
3
1%
Multiline Retail
7
2%
Pharmaceuticals
32
9%
Precious Metals
10
3%
Semis, Semi Equipment
57
15%
Telecom Equipment
14
4%
Tobacco and Alcohol
9
2%
Utilities
7
2%
Wireless Communications
12
3%
Source: RealMoney.com
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Editor's Desk Bulls Barrel to Win in Poll 10/16/2006 1:13 PM EDT The market's strong showing last week was obviously a factor in sentiment.
David Morrow is editor-in-chief of TheStreet.com. In keeping with TSC's editorial policy, he doesn't own or short individual stocks, though he owns stock in TheStreet.com. He also doesn't invest in hedge funds or other private investment partnerships. He appreciates your feedback; click here to send him an email.
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