Help Wanted: Stock Market Leadership

"Alternative energy was thrown in with oil's bath water," says Hogan, referring to the recent decline in oil prices and oil stocks. Oil moved up initially Monday, but fell again midday to close down 1.5% at $52.58 per barrel. Traditional energy stocks were mixed in reaction but alternative energy stocks such as Pacific Ethanol (PEIX Quote) and Verasun Energy (VSE Quote) were big winners again.

Patel believes the only potential market-moving comment could come on the topic of health care, specifically for health care technology and information systems. Bush addressed health care inefficiencies in last year's State of the Union, and may do so again. The topic is a safe way to discuss health care -- who can argue with more efficiency?

Stocks such as Eclipsys(ECLP Quote), McKesson(MCK Quote) and Cerner(CERN Quote) could benefit.

Ultimately, Tuesday's speech lacks the heft of prior State of the Union addresses. So many politicians have tossed their hats into the ring for the 2008 presidential election that investors already have turned their attention to what's next.

Likewise, investors turned the page in their favorite Goldilocks tale to find it blank when it comes to what will drive the markets. Corporate executives are shying away from making any promises about future earnings, leaving investors unsettled. Also, the economy is not expected to accelerate at the same pace as in the fourth quarter, even with a possible housing market recovery. So, as investors take some profits and cushion their portfolios, the market feels the drain from its deepest wells.

But more buyers aren't far behind. "Some of these tech names are moving into the value zone," says Patel, with a spark of interest in her voice. Surely, she's not alone.