To be successful in today’s market, it all comes down to understanding that you must “Invest in what you see, not what you think, hear or fear.”

Since sinking to a 12-year low of 676.53 on March 9, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index had risen 24% — the best such short-term rally since 1933. But this isn’t 1933 and you shouldn’t trust the rally. Happy Days are NOT here again, at least not yet.

Investing bearish right now could help protect your savings.  And just like fellow contrarians have been telling you all along, Ted Peroulakis suggests you broaden your horizons into contrarian investments like gold and silver.

Government bonds flourished as commodities and equities plunged in 2008. But Theo Casey says a new bull market in corporate bonds could soon take its place. As investors seek higher returns than Treasuries, demand for high-grade corporate debt, particularly if backed by the government, could soar.

In the darkest hours of the market, we need to be looking for the next bull. Louis Basenese says the lessons from history show that traditionally riskier small-cap stocks could actually be the smartest bet right now.

US Treasuries are in a bubble, making them ripe for shorting. But that trade is too obvious, says Justice Litle. And the situation is more complex now that the Fed is getting involved. Bernanke & Co could support T-Bills in the medium term, but that will only increase the odds of an epic decline after.

Stocks are up 20% from their November lows. And they could go much higher. But don’t be fooled by this “sucker’s rally”. The Dow is on its way to 5,000. The Fed is trying to stop it. But remember, the Fed caused this crash. And it was government ‘rescues’ that made the 1930s Depression so Great…

Marc Lichtenfeld is convinced we’ll soon have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to buy assets at irrationally low prices. Market conditions are extreme at the moment. But this will pass, eventually, and stocks will recover strongly. Marc gives six reasons why it will soon be time to load up on stocks again.

Rick Pendergraft says the public will soon become desensitized to the ugly news that keeps coming out of the economy. That’s when individual investors will return to action. And that’s when it will be time to buy stocks again.

The bears are back out for Halloween. US futures are down sharply this morning, as edgy investors anticipate more weak economic data. October 2008 has been the worst month for stock markets in decades. But Lynn Carpenter says the reasons for the next bull market are already in place….