Bonds/Interest Rates

Australian retail sales for the December quarter fell short of market expectations and sees some economists predicting GDP growth will be negative for the quarter.

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index was negative for a second consecutive month in December.

President Obama signs the stimulus bill as the run on Europe begins. Dow down 300.

Japan may be in strife, but Europe is facing disaster.

Residex data continues to point to more slippage in Australian house prices, with the January reading down 0.7%.

The Dow clawed back 50 points as agreement was reached on the stimulus bill while the TARP remains a point of conjecture.

Wall Street wanted details, Geithner delivered mission statements. The Dow fell 400. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEDT)

The fall in business confidence and conditions reported in the NAB survey lead economist to suggest the Reserve Bank of Australia will have to continue easing policy to support the Aussie economy.

As the latest US stimulus package is passed in the Senate, hyperinflation lurks as a catastrophic consequence.

Short-covering in financials supported a 200 point rally in the Dow as a weak jobs number was shrugged off.