U.S. stocks fell today, Monday, as investors worried about the potential strength and timing of an economic recovery, sending oil prices and energy shares lower.

World stocks fell today, Friday, after a disappointing U.S. jobs report and a sluggish euro zone services sector survey reinforced expectations that the process of recovery in the global economy would be long and slow.

When oil prices moved to over $30 a barrel in the mid 1980s, it was considered a significant event. It also signaled the birth of small ethanol companies in the Midwest. Many of them managed to hang around long enough to get a second wind when Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War pushed oil prices past $40.

European shares climbed 1 percent on Monday, boosted by upbeat euro zone data, while the dollar steadied after falling late last week on a renewed call by China for a super-sovereign reserve currency.

It’s been in the news the last couple of days. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) bankers are headed for record bonuses. The Financial Times reports that bankers’ pay in the London market is already right back to 2007 levels and going higher. Banks are poaching each others’ best staff, and are offering huge pay packages to staffers willing to make the leap.

The World Bank yesterday (Monday) lowered its growth forecast for the global economy and warned about a long and painful recovery in developed economies, underscoring the recent supposition by many analysts that a three-month rally in U.S. stocks has been overdone.

The World Bank downgrades its world economic forecast, A few lessons from the school of German-style hyperinflation, Will we be seeing you in Vancouver this year? And plenty more…

When oil prices moved over $30 a barrel in the mid 1980s, it was considered a significant event.  It also signaled the birth of small ethanol companies in the Midwest. Many of them managed to hang around long enough to get a second wind when Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War pushed oil prices pushed past $40.

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.

Oil dropped more than 2 percent to below $68 a barrel on Monday as a stronger dollar and weaker European equities outweighed attacks on the oil industry in top African exporter Nigeria.