When a stock or an index takes a wicked dive, it often occurs after the particular vehicle has marginally exceeded some prior, significant peak. ‘Everyone’ turns bullish on the breakout, including bears prepared to cover on a hair-trigger signal, and that sets up the haymaker. Notice in the accompanying chart, however, that the record high recorded by the Dow on September 4 has led to no such plunge.  The high exceeded July’s record peak by 10 points, and that should have been enough to get bulls’ — and bears’ — juices flowing.  Instead, we’ve seen only a moderate pullback since then, leaving bears very much on the hook.  We could still see a collapse from these levels, particularly if there is unsettling news. But for the time being, bears shouldn’t get their hopes too high. We are short the Diamonds via some out-of-the-money put options just in case, but we may have to reshort if DIA breaks out to new highs. (Note: This tout is being written before Thursday’s close, since I will be away from the office later today.)