Here we go again…The market had its best week since November. And just like that, there is chatter of light at the end of the tunnel.

Berkshire’s Armor Cracks; JPMorgan Bags $5 Billion Selling Deriviates; Recordati Proposes Increased Divided; China May Double Stimulus This Week; Homes Sales Continue to Break Down

Congratulations — you just survived Black Swan Month.  And in the process, a persistent and seemingly prescient Internet rumor has been put to rest.

A plea to lawmakers…give liquidation a chance!

While congressional leaders this week excoriated the leaders of banks that have received billions of dollars in government bailout money for not doing enough to end the credit crisis, it may actually be consumer fear of borrowing that’s blunting banks’ efforts to lend.

U.S. economy shrank at fastest pace in nearly 27 years… Procter and Gamble down after cuts full-year forecast… Exxon, Chevron gain after beating expectations… Dow, S&P, Nasdaq all off about 1 pct…

With unemployment soaring, consumer confidence plunging, and gross domestic product shrinking, there aren’t many indications that the market will rebound any time soon. But there is one.

FOMC Brainstorms; Dimon and Lewis Bet Big on Financials; Former BofA CEO Thain Reinvents Self; Yahoo! Posts Fourth-Quarter Loss; Consumer Confidence Hits Record Low; S&P/Case-Schiller Housing Index Plunges 18%

Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? Why not try a barrel of oil? You can get one for around US$40 these days. That’s 54% lower than this time last year and 72% below the price on July 14th ($145.16).

Currencies continue to rally…  More Stimulus…  Data shows more rot on the vine… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!