Experts cautiously optimistic on market prospects. (strong stock market expectations)

Slow growth pattern could continue in New Year

Anxiety and suspicion can test one's faithfulness. For John Davis, a hospital supplies salesman from the North Hills, faith in the long-running bull market recently ran out.

"Before the (November) election, I was sure that the market couldn't go much higher. So, I pulled out," said Mr. Davis, who has had a long-running love-hate relationship with the market.

"I got burned," he said of the stock market crash of 1987, but he made over $200,000 in the equities market in the early and mid-1990s.

Just days after the presidential election, Mr. Davis discovered that anxiety and suspicion had gotten the better of him, and his faith hadn't been deep enough. The bulls continued their run, and he could have been running with them.

"I probably lost about 75 grand, but that's OK." Mr. Davis shrugs. In actuality, Mr. Davis didn't lose $75,000, but that is how much he could have gained if he had restrained his anxiety and remained in the market.

However, …