An analyst for Bear Stearns explained, "Individual indicators don't necessarily predict the overall trend. But, of course, if prices had gone down, that might have meant a slowdown in sales, which could also have sent stocks into the tank."



A frazzled individual investor, who witnessed his portfolio lose over 50% of its value in five minutes, took a swig of Mylanta, and said, "I've gotten used to the ups and downs. The only thing that goes up all the time is my blood pressure."