The Great $790 Billion Economic Stimulus Plan On Its Way

What’s Happening In The Market Now..

• Stocks got off to a slow start this morning.
  
• Investors appear to be waiting for more details on the compromise version of the $790 billion economic stimulus plan on track for a Friday vote in the House. The Senate could vote on the package later in the day or over the weekend.
  
• Earnings reports for the fourth quarter continue to show a mixed but improving picture with revenues down but earnings in-line with estimates.
• Auto suppliers asked the Obama administration Friday for up to $25.5 billion in loans and government guarantees to stabilize the battered U.S. auto industry.
• Regulators on Friday closed Sherman County Bank in Nebraska and Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast in Florida, marking 11 failures this year of federally insured institutions.
• The dollar was mixed against other major currencies with gold prices down and crude prices on the rise after falling to its lowest price this year on Thursday.
• Sectors starting the day out strong include diversified metals & mining, IT consulting, motorcycle manufacturing and gas utilities while banks, REITs, financial services and real estate services are down.