![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IRz0-TFWJis/Re3c0AZzAoI/AAAAAAAAADI/kbuB820lTYk/s320/smiley-face-hitch-plug.jpg)
I have more than one reason to celebrate. Asian markets gained ground overnight, and the good news spilled on to Wall Street. All U.S. markets responded well today, sending a collective sigh through investors. We haven't digested all economic data, though, and the picture is still mixed. The economy MAY be slowing. Inflation MAY be rearing its head. The Fed has quite a bag of signals to sort through. Despite these, I am optimistic about our economy and markets. My other celebratory cheer arose when I received word that I passed my written comprehensive test on my Ph.D. program. Ahh, sweet relief on two fronts!
DJIA +157.18 NASDAQ +44.46 S&P 500 +21.29