Most important rule of FA

In yesterday's front page of the Straits Times, the headlines read :

"Q4 growth likely to shrink: Economists

Technical recession looms with Nov's lower than expected factory output"

In today's headlines of the Money section of the Straits Times, it read :

"3.6% growth for the global economy next year

Goldman Sachs' forecast higher than market consensus of 3.5% expansion"

How should one react to the above news?  Good or bad news will prevail?  What is the sentiment of the traders in reaction to the above news?

For me, the most important rule of FA (fundamental analysis) is that the stock market is 6 months ahead of the economy.   Whatever news I read in the papers, its the old news, it is 6 months late.  The financial market has already factored in the news in its price.

I will not trade based on news.  But I will gauge the sentiment of the players, as it is news drive the sentiment of the market players.  Lastly, I will then decide on one of the 3 strategies:

1. Be a contrarian
2. Follow the market direction
3. Stay out