Update: Week of December 15, 2008

The markets are holding steady with news that the big three auto makers may get government funding to avoid bankruptcy.  Oil has continued to fall but not at the rate previously recorded.  Gas at the pumps are at a medium of $1.59 a gallon.   With the holidays right around the corner spending is definitely not what the retailers expected and things are not looking so good as we head into 2009.  Interest rates are anticipated to be cut on Tuesday in hopes that lending will surge to help bring some good news to the economy.

Economic news due out this week includes Empire State Manufacturing Index, TIC Long-Term Purchases, Capacity Utilization Rate, Industrial Production (MoM), Building Permits, Core CPI (MoM), CPI (MoM), Housing Starts, FOMC Statement, Federal Funds Rate, Current Account, Crude Oil Inventories, Unemployment Claims, Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, CB Leading Index (MoM) and Natural Gas Storage.

Some earnings due out this week include Adobe System Inc (ADBE), Eagle Test Sys Inc (EGLT), Joy Global Inc (JOYG), LiveDeal Inc (LIVE), Progress Software Corp (PRGS), and Verifone Hldgs Inc (PAY) to name a few.

Happy Investing!

James Dicks, President & CEO

*All stocks are chosen using AI Scanner and evaluated using PremiereTrade® AI . Charts used in the presentation are from the weekly AI Wizard.

The Model Portfolio originated on September 14, 2006, with a simulated $50,000 investment.  Rates of returns are not adjusted for transaction fees that may have to be paid.  All prices and performance data are adjusted for reinvestment of capital gains and dividend distributions as they occur.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.