From the tidal wave of e-mails and comments I have received from numerous different sources I am under the impression that most investors view the recent rally in the world’s stock markets as a bear market rally. I suppose we would need to define a bear market rally as a rally that fails to make a new all-time high (for the S&P 500, above the 1576 reached in October 2007) and is also followed by a new low for this cycle (below 666 for the S&P 500 reached in early March 2009).

Oil is still one of the best bets for long-term gains says Greg Guenthner. In the midst of blind market panic, investors are forgetting that crude is a finite resource facing unquenchable demand. It will rise to record highs again. And when it does, oil stocks will soar.

Oil was given a lift yesterday. But at $81.19 a barrel, the black goo is still almost $70 from its July peak.

Greg Guenthner isn’t sweating it.

Oil prices have been caught up in widespread panic selling of recent months. It remains a scarce and essential commodity. This means it is only heading in one direction over the long term.

Greg recommends following oil guru Richard Rainwater’s cue and buying into oil stocks with both hands.