“Work eight hours and sleep eight hours and make sure that they are not the same hours.”

– T. Boone Pickens

European and Asian stocks extended last week’s rally on Monday and crude oil marched higher after U.S. economic news and stronger-than-expected data from the euro zone spurred expectations for economic recovery.

U.S. stocks headed for a higher open on Monday as solid results from major European banks and expectations of a sales rebound for Ford Motor Co reinforced hopes that the recession is moderating.

U.S. stocks gained today after software maker Oracle’s (NASDAQ: ORCL) results beat expectations and durable goods orders jumped unexpectedly, giving more hope that the economy is rebounding.

U.S. stocks suffered their first weekly loss since May last week, further exacerbating trader concern that the bullish surge that sent share prices up as much as 40% from their March lows may have been overdone.

U.S. stocks slid on Monday as investors questioned the strength of an economic recovery, while energy shares were dragged down by lower oil prices. After a sharp three-month rally, indexes have eased as traders increasingly questioned if stocks are due for a correction.

In February 1995, the U.S. economy was in great shape. The 1990-92 recession had been over for a couple of years, the Federal Reserve was beginning to ease interest rates, the Clinton administration was beginning to make progress on sorting out the United States’ modest long-term budget problem and there was this new thing called the Internet that looked as though it might bring some exciting new possibilities.

U.S. stocks and oil prices turned south on Friday as investors questioned recent rallies in the face of economic data that still shows a mixed picture of when economies will rise from a deep global recession.

Stocks edged up in early morning trading today (Thursday) as an uptick in producer prices and steady earnings from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) outweighed a surge in jobless claims last week.