Corporations San Fernando Valley

Try this quiz: Virtually every stock market index is cresting near a record high, so why is there also a record number of short interest positions by investors who expect certain stocks to crash? One answer: Both bulls and bears are chronic optimists.

Try this quiz: Virtually every stock market index is cresting near a record high, so why is there also a record number of short interest positions by investors who expect certain stocks to crash? One answer: Both bulls and bears are chronic optimists.

A majority of the region's stocks fell during the third quarter, a performance that trailed the overall stock market's modest improvement in the period. The weakness in local stocks extended a slide that began in the second quarter, when three out of four area shares declined. Both quarters' slides abruptly halted a strong showing for local stocks in early 1992, when investors were more encouraged about the economy's growth prospects.

A majority of the region's stocks fell during the third quarter, a performance that trailed the overall stock market's modest improvement in the period. The weakness in local stocks extended a slide that began in the second quarter, when three out of four area shares declined. Both quarters' slides abruptly halted a strong showing for local stocks in early 1992, when investors were more encouraged about the economy's growth prospects.

Stocks of regional companies put in a less-than-stellar performance during the second quarter, with 40 stocks, or 59%, posting declines or remaining unchanged from the end of the first quarter, while 28 stocks posted gains for the quarter. The lack of momentum in local stocks mirrored the lull in the overall market. Despite hitting a record high of 3,035 early last month, the Dow Jones industrial average has since retrenched, finishing the quarter at 2,906.75 on Friday.

Stocks of regional companies put in a less-than-stellar performance during the second quarter, with 40 stocks, or 59%, posting declines or remaining unchanged from the end of the first quarter, while 28 stocks posted gains for the quarter. The lack of momentum in local stocks mirrored the lull in the overall market. Despite hitting a record high of 3,035 early last month, the Dow Jones industrial average has since retrenched, finishing the quarter at 2,906.75 on Friday.