I would beg to differ that the technicals are meaningless right no:
Previously - the market has NOT acted on technicals, instead, taking this forward looking view that, despite poor guidance, overleveraging, inflation of homes (and not of wages), increasing unemployment, tighter credit, the market in the next 6 months will go higher than it is now, and this is a bargain. That inflated the market (or at least reduced the decline from what it should have been).
So what we have seen, since mid september, is a FAIRLY evaluated market, based on technicals as mentioned. Sort of a mass-reality-check. In addition to those factors mentioned, the reduced home equity of everyone, will continue to constrain spending - through all of next year at least - and consumers will have to draw on investments.
A second factor is this market is taking NO PRISONERS; except for shorts - nothing is producing a return, not bonds, stocks, large stocks, small stocks, not steel, not commodities (not gold). Cramer has been pounding the table about collecting dividend-paying stocks, but those dividends are not guaranteed. The only place to put money without guarantee of loss is treasuries. Everything else will continue to go down. NOT a V bottom.
A third factor is that the problems are not over. Credit was only the beginning. AIG is running out of money (again). So are other insurance companies. Notwithstanding the last homesales numbers, the effect of the recent equity decline on that has not yet hit the fan (just wait till october's sales). If you think unemployment is high now, wait till after the holidays.
The fourth factor, and I've mentioned this before, is that government intervention -while having a temporary effect - is not a solution to all these issues. If anything, it delays the inevitable deleveraging. I expect more - probably another stimulus package - so if that happens, expect a bounce on dumb money, and a nice selling opportunity (for those who haven't yet bailed).
Whatever is behind us, the worst is yet to come. When that will be is hard to say, but anywhere from next week to next august.