The Market On Monday

Good morning. It is 21 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. I was out earlier dressed in my low temperatures finest walking the new dog. The dog was skittish, I think the cold was a new experience. We did not stay out long. I think when it gets really cold we will do frequent but short walks. Its difficult holding a treat to get her to walk with you when your hands are freezing. I need a lightweight glove that resists the super cold and that would allow me to hold a treat - the dog owner's winter glove.

At 8:00 a.m. futures are moderately up, the dollar is up, and oil is up. With trading expected to be light the entire week it could end up being an uneven moody day.

Investors are slightly less worried about the Eurozone at the moment given Fitch's reaffirming the credit rating for some European countries. France gets to keep its triple A rating.

Now one might think the the death of Kim Jong II would be a good thing given his authoritarian control of N.Korea. Not so, investors love stability and nobody can provide stability like a ruthless dictator. Therefor Kim Jong II's death has caused a bit of a negative stir for investors.

CNN: Stocks: Optimism amid turmoil

...investors breathed a sigh of relief that France, in particular, retained its pristine AAA rating.


Asian markets ended lower, amid fears the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il could lead to instability on the divided Korean peninsular.


Oil for January delivery rose 35 cents to $93.90 a barrel.