Always being on the lookout for inflation is part of The Mogambo Way (TMW), as there is nothing else that can destroy a society faster than a lot of angry people who cannot afford to buy food for themselves or their hungry children, and after awhile the incessant whining and crying of hungry babies gets on the nerves of the adults both in the room and for blocks around until, suddenly, one day, something just snaps and there is Hell To Pay (HTP).

Some of the valuations in today’s market are absurd, says Chris Mayer. Though market volatility means high risks in the short-term, now is the time to “plant the seeds of monster future returns.” Chris picks four deep value stocks with big upside potential.

Crude looks like it is entering its own type of recession this year, with the International Energy Agency predicting a fall in oil consumption for the first time in 25 years. But David Newman still thinks there are huge profits to be had in the oil industry. He recommends an Oil & Gas ETF (NYSE:IEO) and Oil Services ETF (NYSE:OIH), using a ‘protective put strategy’ to cover against downside risk.

The economic calendar starts very slow this week, with only the Pending Home Sales report coming on Tuesday. Once Wednesday morning rolls around, it’s a mad dash to the finish with 11 reports coming in the last three days of the week.

Retail experts are predicting one of the most dismal holiday shopping seasons in decades this year – a crucial stretch that will set the stage for poor retail sales throughout 2009.

In the energy market Friday, oil prices did turn north, but just barely, with crude for January delivery closing at $49.93/barrel, up 51 cents in its debut as front-month contract. Reformulated gasoline for January delivery rose 5 cents, to $1.09/gallon.

This week is loaded with very important reports for the market, and judging by how things are looking, it could be a good time to grab some aspirin.

Energy prices continue to tumble on recession fears and a US dollar rally. For investors that are long-term bullish on energy markets, this represents a great buying opportunity, says Andrew Snyder. He expects coal producers like Massey (NYSE:MEE), Peabody (NYSE:BTU) and James River Coal (NYSE:JRCC) to see big increases in their valuations in the coming year.

Don’t expect oil prices to remain at these low levels for long, says Byron King. Demand weakness for crude is temporary. And oil-producing nations cannot sustain their own economies unless oil prices are close to $100 a barrel. Byron says it could be time for investors to slowly build up a position in oil service stocks.

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