Seeking Alpha provides a microcosm of what’s going on today: depending on your world view, there is enough data to support whatever it is you want to see. Case in point: the most recent Case-Shiller HPI numbers, which showed a decline YoY in January 2012.

Cullen Roche, author of The Pragmatic Capitalist blog, says the HPI results show a lack of spring pickup (our note: January represents spring sales? Really?). Another view suggests that the future is looking pretty bright.

Our bet: the truth probably lies somewhere in between the two views. Not as headline grabbing, perhaps, but more likely the outcome here.