Poll: U.S. investors upbeat for 2006

NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Despite the end-of-the-year drop in the U.S. stock market, investors have a generally positive outlook for 2006, a survey finds.

A survey of 130 institutional investment professionals -- conducted this week by capital markets research firm Broadgate Consultants -- found 85 percent rated the probability of a 2006 recession at less than 50 percent. More than one-third of respondents rated the likelihood of a recession as "almost nil."

Seventy-five percent said the Dow Jones Industrial Average will rise in 2006 and 25 percent of those who said that believe the average will increase dramatically -- to 12,000 or higher.

Sixty-eight percent expect energy prices will remain steady or decrease from current levels. While 58 percent said the real estate market will weaken only in certain locations, 17 percent said they foresee broad price declines in housing throughout the United States.