There are some negatives ahead, which provide a good background excuse for a correction at this time.

FORBES: The Illusive Rally Top

The real story is that the markets were ready for an important correction all by themselves, but a convenient background story helps.

FORBES: Global Riots: Opportunity Or Danger?

In this case, the stalled economic recovery got back on track, the euro-zone debt crisis faded into the background again, the stock market recovered from its summer correction, and although still expected, inflation had not shown up.

FORBES: Gold's Plunge Has Legs To Run Lower