January gains signal strong year for stocks

If the January barometer holds, 2006 should be a positive year. Stocks jump, despite higher oil. Earnings, housing offer confidence, but George Soros is bearish. Who was the best Fed chairman for stocks?

Absent a disaster on Monday and Tuesday of next week, the January barometer suggests 2006 will be a good year for stocks.

According to the Stock Trader's Almanac, a down January for the S&P 500 has signaled a down or flat year without exception since 1950. Friday's strong rally should help the market avoid a bad first month. A positive January almost always means a positive year.