Weekly Market Commentary:

Special Note: Due to the large number of member requests, we have moved up the Market Commentary to Friday's beginning today. This means you will now have the weeks closing news in a far more timely manner. Thank you for your feedback and we hope you enjoy. Also, keep an eye on your inbox for the launch of our new web site to coincide with our decade of service to you our valued member.

U.S. stocks performed better this week than last. The Dow Jones Industrials added 5.13 points (+0.42%) to close the week at 12,108.43. The S&P 500 gained 2.57 points (+0.19%) and the Nasdaq Composite added 13.71 points (+0.58%.) On the NYSE, advancing issues outpaced decliners 2-1, and at the Nasdaq, winners topped losers 17-11. Volume was lower than average with 1.422 billion shares traded on the NYSE, and 1.724 billion traded on the Nasdaq.

Crude oil futures fell after the International Energy Agency trimmed its 2206 global growth forecast, citing lower third quarter demand from China and its neighbors in the Pacific Rim. The dollar was lower, hitting a three month low against the Euro and a 19 month low against the British pound. Pressure is mounting on China's central bank as it considers how to diversify its foreign-exchange reserves. Gold futures were lower but managed a small gain on the week.

In the bond market, U.S. Treasuries gained in price sending yields lower on follow through buying from two successful auctions earlier this week. Concerns are mounting that the housing slowdown is having a greater impact on growth than earlier anticipated as third quarter GDP growth dropped to 1.6%. Many fear what no one wants to predict, that housing will cause a recession by the first or second quarter of 2007.

The second quarter "thumpin" that stocks took was based on concerns that Fed over-tightening was to blame for slower economic growth. The third quarter rally has turned the bias bullish. For now, with Democrats claiming majorities in both the House and Senate, market players appear to be adopting a "wait and see" approach.

Next week's big economic reports center around Thursday, with Initial Jobless Claims and October Consumer Price Index reports due. Friday features October housing starts, and needless to say, that could be a big one as far as the latest stock market rally is concerned.

More soon! Stay tuned!