There is a huge disconnect between the magnitude of what is likely to happen with earnings and what stocks have already discounted,

What's going to happen is that unless the advance broadens out to include more stocks, the advance may peter out by early April, maybe a little above 10,000, ... I think we might see some kind of pullback in the spring that might particularly effect these very extended large-cap, blue-chip stocks that are driving the Dow and the S&P.

The term bellwether refers to the practice of placing a bell around the neck of a castrated ram (a wether) leading his flock of sheep. While out of sight, the sound of the bell is a directive on the whereabouts of the flock. When earning season begins, the bellwether stock is that of the largest (typically industrial) companies who report their earnings. Analysts look to these reports as an indication of how subsequent reports will come in under or over expectations.

Earnings growth has been surprisingly low for drug stocks and there is more of that to come as we go through a cycle of patent expirations. But I think the stocks are close to being washed out and if you have patience they will do quite well over a longer period of time.

Earnings growth has been surprisingly low for drug stocks and there is more of that to come as we go through a cycle of patent expirations, ... But I think the stocks are close to being washed out and if you have patience they will do quite well over a longer period of time.

Given what goes on with stocks, it's understandable for companies to have to go back sometimes and restate earnings. What's important is operations.