This is shaping up as a typical week in a bear market. Yes, we had a little rally that didn’t last in the face of less than exciting economic news. The depressing performance of the Fed Chairman alone would be enough to send an investor running for the hills. Consumers are spending less, which is no surprise given the excessive chatter in the media about how the financial world as we know it is coming to an end. Housing remains in the pits and banks are still very questionable. If this isn’t a recession, it sure feels like one. Still, hope springs eternal and what we find interesting is that the market has not acted worse in view of recent developments. Is it trying to tell us something? Next week could be interesting.