I find it interesting that it seems that people are in debate with each other and not noticing that they often believe the same thing but are arguing different points...apples and oranges. I don't believe that there will be issues concerning majors until such time as the market moves heavily into commodities to protect wealth (if indeed this happens) and not because the economy is healing. The timing for this is of course unknown but the majors have until then to try to maneuvre or starve out the fledgling explorers. They will do what they can to minimize costs. They of course will be trying to pick a bottom before they move. The positive being that in this time the companies will be able to prove up what they have between now and then and hopefully the market will respond positively when they achieve this. If the market is plummeting at the time a company shines you could still see it go for pennies comparatively. Timing will be everything. If the market rockets at that time then I think a company could expect to do very well. Will China hold up the world economy in 2010? (a bit much to expect by itself) Will the US rebound? (given the debt I won't place my bets there for a long time to come). I suspect wealth protection will be the most likely reason to be in the market along with essentials like energy and food.

Just out of interest, has anyone noticed, particularly at hot times, that the air quality in industrial areas and jet stream corridors has improved? A definite lack of industrial pollution. Very little steel, autos, etc. There is always good with the bad. A silver lining.