David Morrow
The bears got a plurality in this week's TheStreet.com RealMoney Barometer, no doubt fueled by last week's major drop in the stock market.
However, the margin wasn't as large as some may have expected after the approval of the $700 billion bailout of the financial services industry. The bears took 46%, or 1,559 of the 3,350 votes cast. The bulls countered with 34%, or 1,145 votes. Neutral was the sentiment of 646 voters, or 19%. Last week, the Dow lost 7.3%, the S&P 500 stumbled 9.4%, and the Nasdaq plummeted 14%. In the sectors, commercial banks was picked as most likely to rise this week, with automakers seen as most likely falling. The credit crunch and still rather high gasoline prices are not conducive to strong automobile sales. Below are the complete poll results.| Date | Bullish | Bearish | Neutral | Week Ending S&P % Change |
Bullish Sector |
Bearish Sector |
| Oct 6 |
1145 (34%) |
1559 (47%) |
646 (19%) |
Commercial Banks | Automobiles | |
| Sep 29 |
32 (39%) |
35 (43%) |
14 (17%) |
 -9.4% |
Commercial Banks | Integrated Oil |
| Sep 22 |
271 (39%) |
260 (38%) |
158 (23%) |
-3.3% | Commercial Banks | Investment Bankers and Brokers |
| Sept 16 |
261 (34%) |
382 (50%) |
117 (15%) |
+0.1% | Precious Metals | Investment Bankers and Brokers |
| Sept 8 |
652 (58%) |
333 (30%) |
130 (12%) |
+0.8% | Commercial Banks | Integrated Oil |
| Sector | Total Votes | Percentage |
| Aerospace and Defense | 55 | 2% |
| Airlines | 116 | 4% |
| Automobiles | 388 | 12% |
| Beverages and Food Products | 24 | 1% |
| Biotechnology | 16 | 0% |
| Commercial Banks | 359 | 11% |
| Computers and Peripherals | 100 | 3% |
| Consumer Nondurables | 101 | 3% |
| Energy Equipment & Services | 185 | 6% |
| HMOs and Hospitals | 16 | 0% |
| Homebuilding | 258 | 8% |
| Insurance | 159 | 5% |
| Integrated Oil | 307 | 9% |
| Internet, Software Services | 64 | 2% |
| Investment Bankers and Brokers | 341 | 10% |
| Media | 39 | 1% |
| Multiline Retail | 207 | 64% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 25 | 1% |
| Precious Metals | 330 | 10% |
| Semis, Semi Equipment | 47 | 1% |
| Telecom Equipment | 51 | 2% |
| Tobacco and Alcohol | 32 | 1% |
| Utilities | 51 | 2% |
| Wireless Communications | 43 | 1% |
| Source: RealMoney.com | ||
| Sector | Total Votes | Percentage |
| Aerospace and Defense | 70 | 2% |
| Airlines | 77 | 2% |
| Automobiles | 28 | 1% |
| Beverages and Food Products | 262 | 8% |
| Biotechnology | 195 | 6% |
| Commercial Banks | 634 | 19% |
| Computers and Peripherals | 52 | 2% |
| Consumer Nondurables | 127 | 4% |
| Energy Equipment & Services | 214 | 6% |
| HMOs and Hospitals | 49 | 1% |
| Homebuilding | 66 | 2% |
| Insurance | 92 | 3% |
| Integrated Oil | 130 | 4% |
| Internet, Software Services | 44 | 1% |
| Investment Bankers and Brokers | 219 | 7% |
| Media | 15 | 0% |
| Multiline Retail | 25 | 1% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 215 | 6% |
| Precious Metals | 412 | 12% |
| Semis, Semi Equipment | 27 | 1% |
| Telecom Equipment | 23 | 1% |
| Tobacco and Alcohol | 171 | 5% |
| Utilities | 145 | 4% |
| Wireless Communications | 35 | 1% |
| Source: RealMoney.com | ||
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