Today's sharp move higher in the stock market sheds light on the dangers of an investor trying to time the market. The market research firm DALBAR looked at the returns of mutual fund investors over the 20-year period, 1986-2006, and reported the average market timer return was -2%. During this same time period, the S&P 500 Index returned 12%.

A morning gap occurs whenever there is a difference in price between the previous day’s close and the open in the morning. Theoretically, there are really two of these types of conditions that occur. A true gap is where the open is above or below the previous day’s high or low respectively.

Consider the latest readings of the Hulbert Stock Newsletter Sentiment Index (HSNSI), which reflects the average recommended stock market exposure among a subset of several dozen short-term market timing newsletters tracked by the Hulbert Financial Digest.

With all of the talk of the new Bear market, shouldn't keep you from making money on the long side. With every Bull market, there are bearish moves and with every Bear market, there are Bullish moves. Trading the counter trend can be very profitable.