2008

The new year started with down markets. Factory orders were down. No big surprise there, but the surprise was in crude oil. The price per barrel touched the $100 mark, causing investors to scurry for the exits. It's a strange mix. Lower factory orders, but higher oil? What gives with these mixed signals? Worldwide, growth and the demand for oil stays high, but the U.S. market is slowing. Housing showed a little life with last month's numbers. Let's hope this first day is not the harbinger of things to come. DJIA -220.86 NASDAQ -42.65 S&P 500 -21.20