“If pro is opposite of con, then what is the opposite of progress? Congress!” Found in the US House of Representatives restroom

The critical number for our economy is in; unemployment remains at 10%. While the headline number shows signs of topping, a significant rebound in job growth remains frustratingly elusive for the economy and for an administration that could use a boost. The economy lost an unexpected 85,000 jobs in December after showing the first increase in payrolls in almost two years. Economists fear that this recovery will be jobless just like the prior two.

Good news on jobs, leading economic indicators, and comments from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve sent stocks soaring on Thursday.  So far this year the Dow and S&P are up roughly 24% while the NASDAQ is up 46%.  Stocks are poised to have their first up year since 1999. 

The S&P gave up a half a percentage point this week while the NASDAQ declined by .64%.  The economic news was mixed and gave little boost to the market in either direction.  Retail stocks led the decline as some investors and analysts fretted that the increase in mortgage rates would slow refinancing, thereby reducing a major source of consumer funds.  Another factor weighing on the market was the release of yet another bin Laden tape on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary.