One time I saw a bumper sticker that said, "Just when I think I'm making ends meet, someone moves the ends!"
 
This week was like that for the Market.  After six consecutive up weeks, the Market turned downward due primarily to still unsolved uncertainty with the Financial Sector.  The cog in the wheel is the result of two worlds at odds with each other;  while Treasury Sect. Geitner and the Administration have been adamant that the banking stocks are getting healtier, the "real money" doesn't buy it.
 
The week began with all the major indexes in a pronounced sell-off, and closing with their largest percentage drop in more than a month.  On Monday stocks were sold and every attempt to rally failed.  The score ended with declining stocks outnumbering advances by almost 10:1 on the NYSE and 5:1 on the NASDAQ.  That is a definitive sign that sellers were in control.  And so the week continued as apprehension bordering on disbelief permeated the mood over TARP and its effectiveness.
 
The FDIC maintains a list of failed banks which can be viewed by clicking on the link below.  The problem list of Banks under scrutiny by the FDIC includes 252 institutions with assets of $159 billion. Approximately 1,816 banks and thrifts are at risk of failure, with total assets of $4.67 trillion.
 
http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html
 
If we need any more proof that caution is the mantra for investing, this week was it.  Have a pleasant weekend!