Hmm...mine is up 8% since the beginning of the year. Maybe you should go with my people.

I think, as EE-BO's post (and others on this forum have posted), it's not as simple as saying "we're in a recession" or "we're not in a recession." I'm no economist or economics scholar, though, so I'll leave it to those with more knowledge (Rudey, etc.) to explain the current markets and economic situation.

I would really like to find someone who can comprehensively explain the current markets and economic situation. :D

I have my own theories- some of which work and some don't, but I have far more uncertainty right now than I ever have. In the long term there are just a ton of wild card factors out there. The big one I see is the potential for China to become a major manufacturer and exporter of higher end product- including autos. That could change the US manufacturing landscape for the rest of our lives.

Moe.ron, interesting on oil. I do agree it will continue to slide, but is your $115-120 target for the next quarter or two, or sometime next year (and I understand if that is asking you to get too detailed and you don't want to answer. I don't play in the commodities sandbox- just interested in your views.)