The market is certainly more confident in the Whirlpool bid.

Whirlpool has to put pressure on the Maytag board to focus on the superior value of its bid.

I think Whirlpool will clear the (Federal Trade Commission).

Investors are more confident about Japan. There is a slight wariness about emerging-market equities.

The market put in a surprising bid on Monday, albeit on tame volume and a lack of key data. If we need a fundamental rationale [for the rebound] we can discuss expectations for a soft [fourth-quarter] GDP read this Friday.

It certainly is a bear market,