Week in Review

• As expected, the Fed made no change in the fed funds rate
• Core CPI inflation rose at a very low 0.8% annual rate
• November Capacity Utilization climbed to the highest level since October 2008
• The ECB adopted a new program to aid countries with debt troubles

Week in Review

• Consumer Sentiment rose to the highest level since June
• The four-week average of Jobless Claims declined to the lowest level in two years
• Fed Chief Bernanke expressed strong support for the quantitative easing program
• Oil prices rose to $90 per barrel, the highest level in two years