Stocks May Steady in '09, but Troubles Won't Vanish

The major indices plummeted more than 35% over the past 12 months as the U.S. fell into a recession, and investors certainly are hoping to avoid a repeat in 2009.

However, the most they can probably expect realistically is that the stock market has ended its painful search for a bottom and that equities will find their footing.

No one disputes that 2008 was a year of crisis on Wall Street. For the coming year, many market observers are expecting a year of transition. Of course, with so much uncertainty clouding corporate earnings outlooks, investors are searching desperately for answers to some of the most troubling questions outstanding.

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