While many analysts expect U.S. corporate earnings and overall economic data to remain weak by historical standards, there may well be enough of an improvement over the prior months and quarters to spark some optimism that there are better times ahead.

Unemployment is on the march, the plummeting housing market has yet to find a bottom and top U.S. companies in the banking and automaking sectors remain downright shaky.

The big comeback should already be here, according to Wall Street pundits. It was due to arrive in the fourth quarter… a 50 percent increase in earnings led by – of all sectors – banks.

The news this morning is as grey and damp as the weather.  First, the U.S. stock market did nothing yesterday. The Dow ended down 9 measly points. The Dow is about 10% above its November low; have we seen the rebound already?

Markets kick off 2009 with sizable rally… what’s behind the best New Year’s rally since 2003…  Obama bounce back in effect… Rob Parenteau on whether his $1 trillion plan will actually work… Dan Amoss on the difference between shorting in 2008 and 2009… Bullish factors for gold (and gold stocks) for 2009… The second wave cometh… more troublesome commercial real estate ripples on the horizon.

World stocks edge up… Crude oil falls, trades just above $51 a barrel… U.S. dollar firmer, U.S. bonds rise

U.S. stocks open slightly lower in thin holiday trade… Retailers fall on worry about weak “Black Friday” sales… Energy shares pressured as oil prices slip below $53

In the state of Nevada, there’s a company called Wonder Auto Technology. At first glance, you won’t find anything too remarkable about Wonder Auto’s business.

U.S. markets surge… The 5 reviews the winners and losers of the best start to Q2 in 70 years. M&A activity falls dramatically… Chris Mayer on how to alter your investment strategy. Gas prices still at record highs… striking truckers threaten to grind highways to a halt. IMF says 25% odds of a global recession, calls current U.S. crisis worst since Great Depression. Plus, the coming China boom that’s escaped the mainstream.