The bear market is officially over, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average not only making up for lost ground but setting a record high last week. So the Business Journal asks:

With the market trending up, do you think there’s any chance the Dow will break the 10,000 mark before the end of the year?

Larry Waterman

Store Manager

Mervyn’s California

I think it will. When the Treasury Department lowers interest rates, it encourages spending on homes, cars, electronics big-ticket items. It gives people confidence in the economy and boosts retail sales. As company profits go up, stocks go up.

Peter Wu [pic newsmakers 4-20-98]

President

GCB Bancorp

My guess is, probably not. I think the economy is still weak. The Federal Reserve has cut discount rates three times already this year. When the Dow Jones goes up, people are still taking a profit, and that’s why I don’t think it will break 10,000.

Maureen Crow

Head of Los Angeles Office

Carl Byoir & Associates

As 1998 draws to a close, Paula Jones is a feminist role model, we sent a 77-year-old guy into space and Prince Charles is looking positively human. The Dow at 10,000? No problem!

Allyson Lattman

Production Executive

Holding The Baby

Of course there’s a chance, because it’s not far from (10,000), it’s moving up and there’s over a month to go. However, I personally believe it will plateau soon, because too many investors are going to be scared of another sell-off.

Matt Anjilivelil

Senior Consultant

Neutrogena Inc.

Personally, no. I think there’s going to be some changes in the numbers. The Dow gets inflated and then tends to correct itself over a period of time.

Wade Killefer

Principal

Killefer, Flammang, Purtill Architects

No way. There’s just too much volatility in Asia, South America and the high-tech market. There’s too much activity and nobody knows what it means. I think it will bounce down again. I’m not buying.