U.S. stocks suffered moderate declines Thursday as worries about a key report on U.S. job losses weighed on sentiments.  Traders remained hesitant and cut positions as a number of disappointing July same store sales reports added to waning optimism that the recession is losing its grip.  Healthcare issues fell after JP Morgan downgraded the sector to underweight.  A $2 billion extension of the successful clunkers program failed to lift moods on the Street either.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 25 points, or 0.3% and the broader S&P 500 index fell 5 points, or 0.6%. The technology-focused Nasdaq retreated 20 points, or 1%.    

This morning, the July jobs report surprised as the Labor Department reported that U.S. employers shed fewer jobs in July.  That unemployment rate dipped to 9.4% against expectations of a 9.6% fall helped calm shaky nerves and pushed stock futures sharply higher.  The Labor Department noted

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Sometimes price action seems inconsistent with the fundamental story.  One of the ways we use our ETF rankings is to highlight developments that deserve further investigation. While financial sectors in general earn continued strong ratings, the most noteworthy feature of the new ratings is the rapid rise of two Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) ETF's.  (The complete current rankings are at the end of the article, along with an explanation of our methodology). Surprising REIT Strength Investors who choose REIT's general seek high yield and tax advantages.  The REIT must return 90% of income to unit holders to avoid taxation at the trust level.  Since certain non-cash expenses like depreciation reduce income, investors determine value as a multiple of adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) rather than a PE multiple.  The REIT provides smaller investors the opportunity to add real estate of various types ...

Steep holiday discounts and bargain hunting boosted Black Friday sales, but a dour economic outlook leaves analysts skeptical that Americans will be able to sustain their buying frenzy for the duration of the holiday season. Spending over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend rose 7.2% from a year ago to about $41 billion, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). However, a shorter holiday shopping season and frugal shoppers could soon drive retail sales back down to their pre-holiday lows. “Pent-up demand on electronics and clothing, plus unparalleled bargains on this season’s hottest items helped drive shopping all weekend,” said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. “Holiday sales are not expected to continue at this brisk pace, but it is encouraging that Americans seem excited to go shopping again.” The NRF continues to forecast a mild 2.2% jump in holiday sales, the smallest ...