Stock experts see divided year ahead

0 Comments | USA TODAY, January, 2008 | by Adam Shell, USA TODAY

NEW YORK -- Investors with short time horizons might want to remind themselves that there are 12 months in a year. The reason: 2008 could be a tale of two markets on Wall Street.

The first half of '08 could spell trouble. The second half is likely to be more profitable.

Ten top investment strategists polled by USA TODAY are predicting that stocks will rise for a sixth consecutive year in '08 -- but only after overcoming a challenging and volatile first six months. The full-year performance predictions for the benchmark Standard & Poor's 500 range from a 3.5% gain to a more robust return of 14.4%. The average forecast: 9.2%.

2007 is history. But the problems that plagued the stock market last

year are not.

Home prices are...