Main Street 9

U.S. oil prices rose above $35 a barrel  parring but not reversing  nearly 7% drop on renewed economy concerns, slumping demand and bloated inventories.
U.S. crude for March delivery rose 32 cents to $35.25 a barrel.
“The crude market is still hanging on to the low end of its range,” said Tom Bentz, an analyst at BNP [...]

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While the Federal Reserve had been tipped to leave rates on hold, analysts said a cut looked more likely after Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy.
The Fed has sought to soothe nerves and earlier injected $70bn  into markets to boost liquidity.
Central banks worldwide have faced the twin threat of quickening inflation and a wider economic slowdown.
“The [...]

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Wall Street remained on alert late Sunday as hopes for a buyout of beleaguered Lehman Brothers faded and following extensive efforts by both executives and regulators to stave off a broader financial crisis.
As the weekend drew to a close, the Federal Reserve announced plans to expand its lending to the banking industry in an effort [...]

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Investors looking for a silver lining to the weak jobs picture in the United States should consider this: the recent rise in unemployment may move the U.S. further away from the danger of stagflation.
At least that will be the case if the historical relationship between the jobless rate and inflation holds up. It suggests that [...]

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