The U.S. stock market has been pretty darn ugly, and if you ask me, it's going to get even uglier. You could go looking for the few stocks that could buck the trend and go higher in spite of the bear market, but that is harder than finding a needle in a haystack. And even companies with strong business models, defensible niches, and great products are going to struggle. The common problem all U.S. companies are facing now is a deteriorating economic backdrop. Between the sub-prime crisis, a struggling real estate market, $140-a-barrel oil, rising inflation, and a business slowdown ... there's a lot of trouble out there. Meanwhile, Asian economies are showing no sign of slowing down. That is why I continue suggesting paring down your holdings in the vulnerable American economy ...

Current top-5 most active stocks on the London Stock Exchange for 9:15 am GMT:BAY (BR AIRWAYS ORD) +12.75 +6.16% 228.25p Vol: 8.5MStill a long way to go if this is to break its 7-month decline. 250.00p key resistance. ALD (ALBIDON ORD) +12.50 +6.08% 218.00p Vol: 78,719Has enjoyed steady growth from 100.00p. Volume strong, set up for another good day?KENZ (KENTZ ORD) +9.50 +5.32% 188.00p Vol: 54,562Breaking from a 4-week period of tight trading. Since trading around 120.00p in February it hasn't looked back. TLPR (TULLETT PREBON) +22.25 +4.96% 471.00p Vol: 376,494Bound by a bearish bias sideways pattern. Currently working off support; resistance around 520.00pSL- (STD LIFE ORD) +10.00 +4.12% 252.50p Vol: 1.43MWatch for ...

Short Seller Trivia: In the May 1 “Market Insider” blog, which green stock did shorts want badly?

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