The calm markets, combined with rising stock prices and better-than-expected earnings, are keeping investors optimistic.

FORBES: Investors Go For Energy, Tech And Commodities

Bullishness on these fronts is keeping investors optimistic on the second quarter, even with stocks at fresh all-time highs.

FORBES: Whirlpool Cleans Up Well As Housing Market Recovers

Better-than-forecasted earnings and rising stock prices are keeping many optimistic, while inflationary pressures and the uneven pace of the economic recovery remain a concern.

FORBES: Do Investors Think The Stock Market Is Fairly Valued?

Better-than-expected earnings and a lack of additional downward volatility are keeping investors very optimistic.

FORBES: Bullish Sentiment Makes A Comeback

The new owners of a Borders firm bought out of administration have said they are "very optimistic" of keeping its workforce at current levels.

BBC: Border Precision Engineering owners voice job optimism

More optimistic souls hope Mr Bush is keeping his options open, and leaving room for a sudden conversion to greenery late in his tenure, should public pressure for more resolute action continue to grow.

ECONOMIST: Climate change: Warming to the environment? | The

In interviews with China Daily and China National Radio, other Chinese experts strike a more optimistic tone and believe that the US has already softened its stance and is still keeping channels of communication open with North Korea.

BBC: China media: North Korea speculation