So far, stock market tailwinds because of end of year bonuses, retirement plan contributions, and institutional re-positioning have offset data suggesting the market is overbought. However, a 3% to 5% correction is getting more likely as the rally broadens out (excluding energy), suggesting investors ought to play a little defense by reducing margin and unwinding shares in second-tier stocks moving up because of a rising tide, rather than fundamental underpinnings, such as earnings growth.
A potential retreat could wind up being blamed on skittishness caused by the emerging coronovirus scare, or a shift in expectations