The Market On Wednesday

Good morning. It is cold and spotty clear here in Upstate NY. I was out swimming in the pool at the Y last night. It was great. Haven't been in the water in about 15 years, literally. I am totally digging it.

At 8:30 a.m. futures are stinking, the dollar is up across the board, and oil is down below $89 per barrel.

There is breaking news - "Private sector payrolls soar by 297,000 in December, payroll processor ADP says."

That could change today's sentiment, we shall see. Otherwise, Friday is the day to mark. That's when the government releases its figures on employment. Investors want to see some new jobs out there, we all want to see that.

CNN: Stocks poised to pull back

"The unemployment number is really the most important thing at this point, so there's a little bit of caution..."


After the opening bell Wednesday, a report from the Institute of Supply Management is forecast to show that activity picked up in the service sector last month.


...Republican and Democratic leaders launch the 112th Congress at noon.


Oil for February delivery slipped $1.15 to $88.23 a barrel.