As the U.S. Dollar Weakens, and Gold and Oil Prices Jump,
Watch Out for the Stock Market!

The Worst Trade Deficit Since 2007 Clobbered Fourth-Quarter GDP;
Deteriorating Net Exports Knocked 1.13% (-1.13%) Off Quarterly Growth

Fourth- Versus Third-Quarter Real GDP Growth Slowed to 2.55% from 3.16%, with
Inventory Liquidation and a Soaring Trade Deficit Offsetting Some of the Gains from
Surging Defense Spending and Disaster-Boosted Demand for Goods and Structures

Net of Trade and Inventories, Fourth- Versus Third-Quarter Real GDP Growth
Jumped to 4.35% from 2.01%

Better-Quality Economic Measures Still Show No Full Recovery from the Recession:
U.S. Durable Goods Orders, Freight Activity and Manufacturing
All Have Completed a Full Decade of No Economic Expansion

Defense Spending Boosted December Durable Goods Orders Sharply

Faltering Consumer Outlook

Foreclosures Appear to Be on the Rise, as Existing-Home Sales Sink Anew

On Top of Sharp Downside Revisions to November Home Sales, December Activity
Plunged Monthly by 9.3% (-9.3%) and by 3.6% (-3.6%) for New and Existing Homes,
Shy of Respective Pre-Recession Peaks by 55.0% (-55.0%) and 23.4% (-23.4%)