re: "Why right after 9/11 would corp profits take such a skyward jump?"
Perhaps because of layoffs. A lot of companies had huge gains as a result of that and other cost-cutting measures they took.
Additionally, the Fed dropped interest rates to the ground and incentivized homebuyers to overspend, the SEC dropped all pretense of regulation, etc.. There was a feeding frenzy between 2000-2005. Hence, THE BUBBLE...

Gold is $1,581/oz today. When it hits $2,000, it will be up 26.5%. Let's see how long that takes. - De 3/11/2013 - ANSWER: 7 Years, 5 Months