All the right people will be at Jackson Hole late this week conversing about economic stimuli.  Chairman Bernanke will speak Friday, and Mr. Draghi will be on a panel Saturday morning.  But if I were a betting man, and I am, I would bet against any major announcements at the conference.  Most feel that Bernanke will await the various economic releases in September before making a final decision, and Mr.

Last week went very much as expected with the S&P 500 inching along again: It was slightly down Monday and Tuesday and then slightly up each of the last three days to end the week up +1.00%.

Beginning on Monday, August 6, the S&P 500 has turned in daily returns of +0.23%, +0.51%, +0.06%, +0.04%, and -0.13%. The average return has been 0.15% per day. Is this thing even alive?

The VIX (S&P 500 Volatility Index) hit a 52-week low, closing today at 13.70.  The market hath neither fear nor pulse.  In fact, besides 2008, today’s VIX close was the lowest since 4/5/2005, almost before VIX began trading in late 2003.

Last week, neither Fed Chairmen Bernanke nor European Central Bank (ECB) President Draghi committed their respective organizations to a specific solution to the economic woes of the U.S. or Europe. President Draghi’s firm statement last week that “the ECB is ready to do whatever it takes to preserve the Euro” lacked substance. Yet, that statement sent the S&P 500 roaring up +3.56% over July 26 and 27.