Who says the Dow Jones Industrial Average has anything to do with the outlook for the housing market?
I am certainly skeptical, and get downright annoyed every time someone would refer to the DJIA result that day as a litmus test for some sort of national mood.
Yet people seem to be feeling a little better about things (the economy/housing) today than a few weeks ago. Here’s a chronology of cause and effect (DJIA rises and home sales rise) conveniently edited to make my point:
- DJIA jumps 400 points [1]
- Stewart’s ‘Daily Show’ Chastises CNBC’s Cramer [2]
- March Madness begins, lots of feel good upset stories [3]
- Madoff goes to jail [4]
- Friday the 13th occurs in 2 consecutive months [5]
- The Obamas plant a vegetable garden [6]
- AIG bonus money is partially recovered [7]
- AIG becomes AIU [8] which sounds like IOU
- House passes 90-Percent Tax on AIG Bonuses [9]
- Geitner announces revised Treasury plan to positive reviews [10]
- DJIA jumps nearly 500 points [11]
- Existing-home sales post surprising 5.1% gain [12]
First of all, this has been one heck of a busy news cycle and the path from DJIA to rising home sales is obvious.
Secondly, I need to splash some cold water on my face and get back to work.
Aside: we don’t need bipartisanship [13].