This week's set of news, which covered September and October figures, showed a very lackluster economic environment. Third quarter real GDP declined, confirming for many analysts and market players that the U.S. economy was in recession. The surge in motor vehicles showed, however, that consumers would certainly react to the proper incentives! Perhaps other retailers will get the GM-Ford-Chrysler bug and have fire sales of their own for the holidays.

The FOMC is meeting on Tuesday, November 6, and the bulk of the economic news generally ensures that the Fed will offer another round of easing. What's in doubt is whether officials will vote for the slow path of two separate 25 basis points cuts or the all-at-once, a single 50 point move. The majority of economists are predicting the 50 point choice, bringing the federal funds rate target down to 2 percent.