Dweeb

Don't Let Bulk Shippers Sink Your Portfolio... For Now

Another factor to consider with bulk shippers is which companies have long term contracts with locked in pricing for their services and which ones are at the mercy of the current low spot rates.
I happen to like EGLE and have been long since the IPO. I am happy to be paid a nice dividend while waiting for stock price to improve when the sector recovers.
Shipping is always a very volatile sector.

Behind the Unemployment Rate Jump

Another problem adding to the summer unemployment is the increased minimum wage. Employers who would normally provide summer work for school kids can't afford to offer as many jobs. Add in the increased fuel cost and the political threat of higher taxes and the small business owner is now trying to cut cost not grow and expand.

Why the US Markets Will Continue to Struggle

You skipped a couple more sectors which are rising.
Shipping is up big and still climbing.
Agriculture stocks are soaring with no pull back in site.
Railroads are still profitable.
Coal and nat. gas stocks are also reaching higher.
P/E figures are actually lower, indicating profitable companys are oversold and undervalued.
Dividend yields are very juciey in companys with solid profits.
I love free market capitalism. My glass is half full!

P/E Ratios Using Reported and Operating Earnings

You conclusion only works if someone was trading the enire S&P 500.
I have chosen to invest in the sectors that are profitable. Mining and shipping for example have returned double my investment this year. I am also collecting some handsome dividends in profitable BDC's. The agriculture sector has experienced extremely amazing returns. I think oil might have made a couple bucks too.
Your "the sky is falling" senario only seems to be to be true if your not willing to do any research or work at investing.