Everywhere you look from time to time you will find some story on a major financial network which predicts a possible market crash.    "The last time we saw this, the market crashed shortly there after"    This investor asks the question, is this a prediction or an attempt to be the first to report a ""Non-event".

In the Media's ever endearing strive to be the first to report important news, are they neglecting the fact that their actions could in fact be largely a push towards the end result which they predict?    Let's face it, in some small (or large) way the last big market crash is still looming in our minds.  How big of a push would it take to scare us into believing it could happen again.

At times this reminds me of the zealous effort of historians to put some current meaning to the predictions of Nostradamus.    If you look closely enough you kind find some prediction in most any pattern, but does that make it a fact or a theory.   And if it is in fact a theory, is it prudent to then report them on major channels.    This is my question, and my thought for the day. 

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What Does Over-The-Counter - OTC Mean?
A security traded in some context other than on a formal exchange such as the NYSE, TSX,AMEX, etc. The phrase "over-the-counter" can be used to refer to stocks that trade via a dealer network as opposed to on a centralized exchange. It also refers to debt securities and other financial instruments such as derivatives, which are traded through a dealer network.

In general, the reason for which a stock is traded over-the-counter is usually because the company is small, making it unable to meet exchange listing requirements. Also known as "unlisted stock", these securities are traded by broker-dealers who negotiate directly with one another over computer networks and by phone.

Although Nasdaq operates as a dealer network, Nasdaq stocks are generally not classified as OTC because the Nasdaq is considered a stock exchange. As such, OTC stocks are generally unlisted stocks which trade on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) or on the pink sheets. Be very wary of some OTC stocks, however; the OTCBB stocks are either penny stocks or are offered by companies with bad credit records.