The boom was a phony. It was a like a polished flim-flam artist who flattered the middle classes with cash and credit – only to pick their pockets. Now they’re facing a serious recession in the worst financial shape of any generation in history.

Canadian headline and core CPI measures are expected to remain below their inflation targets; the BoC is anticipated to cut rates again to keep aggregate supply and demand in balance and to return inflation to target over the medium term.

One of the best performing sectors throughout this shortened trading week thus far has been the retailers, up 9.7% so far this week.

The big guns came out on Monday. Mr. Market shot down almost every stock in the entire world. He would have caused U.S. stocks to crash and burn too, but it was a holiday behind the American lines.

On Thursday, the National Association of Realtors is expected to report that existing home sales slipped to 4.95 million -- the lowest reading since record-keeping began in 1999.

Given Tuesday's flush, Toni Hansen thinks there is a very strong probability that the market will attempt a larger correction off the lows as the week progresses. In the long run, however, she would not be betting on any new record highs for quite awhile.

Oh say does that share-strangled banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free lunch...? We’re talking about our own “Crash Alert” ensign, the one in black and blue colors with a skull and crossbones on it. The poor flag is a bit tattered. A bit faded. A bit lonely.

Strong CPI results could propel AUD/USD higher as the markets may ramp up speculation that the RBA will move to hike rates in February, while most other central banks are reducing interest rates.

The rules tell us that if you spend more than you earn you must get poorer. Suddenly, the average homeowner finds himself dangling at the end of a rope. He sees that he spent too much. He sees that he bought more house than he could afford. He sees that his earnings have actually gone down in real terms, while his cost of living has gone up. In short, he sees that he’s been had.

Tim Bourquin interviews Dick Diamond, who talks about how he trades and which indicators he uses.