Economic Update

Wholesale inflation rose at the highest rate in 26 years, 26%, which would seem to indicate that the Fed won't cut rates, but they have to, or the market will implode, leaving nothing but a greasy stain.

The Fed auctioned off $30 billion in loans, and this time the interest rates were lower, 3.95% as versus the previous 4.65% and 4.67%.

The banks borrow this money, so that they can lend it out at higher interest, and make money on the spread. The interest rate has dropped because another fed cut is expected, and because the lenders are still retrenching, so they have fewer loans to make.

And Merrill-Lynch is selling another piece of itself in a bit to hold onto solvency, this time to Kuwait Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund.

And in real estate, San Diego County house prices are down 13.1% year over year, and the recovery in UK house prices is over, it turned out to be a dead cat bounce, as the UK house price slowdown continues.