What a difference a week makes. Across the board we had declines giving back much of prior week's gains. The market malaise in the US spread to Europe and Asia. The economic stimulus package passed the Senate, and although it reach a total of 168 billion the market was not impressed, being more concerned with Bond Insurers. In that area MBIA hopes to raise 1 billion in an offer of stock. The insurer is desperate to maintain its AAA rating.

The dollar benefited from the fact that the ECB did not change interest rates and rally until 1.45. Oil since fallen from its peak of 100 has found support at 90. Talk of recession means that oil demand will probably fall.

Libor rate (the interest rate banks charge each other for overnight loans) has gone down giving a bit of hope that major banks are not anymore desperate for cash. Gold however is still near the highs of 940.

We are moving into the last week of the competition and Hu Haochen retains the lead with gains of 730%. In second place Hanqui Guo with 614% followed in third place by the American Julian.