Stocks bounce back

Markets don't keep going up or down, and so after some nasty declines in recent weeks the Dow gained 207 points, to 12,795. That's still a good 700 points below the levels seen in September and October - perhaps one reason why the mood on Wall Street remains guarded. Also, the encouraging words out of Washington about some sort of resolution to the fiscal cliff situation are just that: words. Both sides still seem stuck on whether to raise taxes for those making over $250,000. Still, a 207-point gain, under any circumstances, is nothing to sneeze at. Enjoy it while it lasts.