Today there were good job numbers. That worried the bond market that the Fed

[applegrove]

will stop buying so much in bonds each month. So the bond market upped interest rates. So the stock market fell (CNN Erin Burnett)

THE STOCK MARKET HAS COMPLETELY DECOUPLED FROM THE LABOUR MARKET. THEY WORK AT CROSS-PURPOSES!! The good news for the stock market was that Walmart had low sales.

[elleng]

1. Exactly,

as in WHA???

[Yo_Mama]

2. It's not fear that the Fed will raise rates

It's fear that the Fed will stop buying so much in bonds each month, and what the effect of that will be on the stock market.

The Fed has said it won't be raising Fed funds for a long time to come, but they have been talking about tapering the bond purchases in the fall, and the market is deathly scared of what that's going to do.

[applegrove]

3. Thanks.

[elfin]

4. Wall Street addicted to this form of stimulus spending

And massively supports Rethugs who decry stimulus spending for any other sector of the economy.

And yet, surprise, surprise, their stimulus does not "trickle down".

If Obama selects anyone other than Summers, they are strong arming him that there will be another huge crash to end his Presidency.

No matter how you look at it, more bad times ahead for regular folks IMO.

We need more Elizabeth Warrens - many many more.

[dtom67]

5. if the Fed just MENTIONS the idea of "tapering"...

The market moves downward. This pretty much shows that Big Ben will never be able to unwind the Fed's position without crashing the market. Of course, if bond rates go up, the Fed's balance sheet will explode.

The American economy is not nearly as well off as the Public is being led to believe.

Ponzi, anyone?