U.S. stocks rallied for a second straight session on Monday, with the Dow gaining more than eight-tenths of a percent, the S&P 500 adding more than six-tenths and the Nasdaq climbing three-tenths of a percent.
Stocks could stay on an upward trajectory for the time being, while bruised bears sniff out the next trouble spot for markets.
If ever there was a pivotal moment for financial markets, this could be it: The United States defaults and investors face the great unknown, or it doesn't and one of 2011's key risks is removed.