Today's market weakness is more of the same with "two steps forward, three steps back." And Chuck Carlson, the CEO at Horizon Investment Services tells Steve Potisk, he's "not surprised," saying he doesn't expect "this kind of volatility to leave us anytime soon." According to Carlson this latest weakness is being sparked by the day's economic news. Also, he says, worries remain about the holiday shopping season. Despite official tallies, his anecdotal experience "looked at that with somewhat of a skeptical eye." From here, Carlson expects an erratic stock market trend higher "over the next month."

It's pretty quiet, and on quiet days it's easy to push the market around. Andy Brooks, vice president and head of U.S. equity trading at T. Rowe Price tells Andrew O'Day that a gain today is not easy because of the strong week. Brooks says economic reports next week will be abysmal, but Wall Street ought to be accustomed to that by now.

The latest news "continues to show a weak economy or an economy that's slipping even further into recession." So says John Hughes, managing director at Epiphany Equity Research. But he tells Steve Potisk it's "not too much of a surprise," since "the anticipation has been that we're going to get some really bad numbers, some startling numbers, in some respects, in the fourth quarter." One reason we may not be seeing steeper selling today, Hughes says last week's sell off may have flushed "out the remaining selling." That, he suggests, could lead to a "counter trend rally."

"Treasury's announcement about their efforts to try to help free up the credit markets is being viewed as very positive." So says Loren Danielson, Senior Vice President at Ferris Baker Watts. He tells Steve Potisk "it's the constriction by the consumer really what's leading to this economic slow down." Danielson suggests that investors "hunker down and take a long term view." He says efforts to fix the economy "will take time."

"The market needs a reason to rally. It's finding one, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this rally last a little longer." So says Doug Sandler, chief equity officer at Riverfront Investment Group. Sandler tells Andrew O'Day there is growing hope surrounding the coming change in economic leadership, including new people and a new approach to the crisis.

I'm hoping that in his inaugural address, he will offer hope that will get investors and consumers and business people to start to look over the valley, and restore some confidence in the economy and the system. That's what Jim Awad, managing director at Zephyr Management, tells John Wordock. Until the new administration, Awad says we have a lame duck government, an economy in freefall, and short-term pessimism.

The TARP Confidence Buster Number Two. That's how Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist at Wells Capital Management, describes last week's changes to the $700 billion financial rescue by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Paulsen tells Andrew O'Day Wall Street is still adjusting to this secondary crisis. He adds that today's dismal reports on jobless claims and the Philly Fed index hold no shock value.

October's drop in consumer prices reported today is good news, but obviously it does heighten the fear of deflation. Of course that could mean the Fed might have a problem jump-starting the economy. That's according to Peter Cardillo, chief market economist with Avalon Partners, who speaks with Andrew O'Day.

There are just a lot of people who aren't believing yet. Andy Brooks, vice president and head of U.S. equity trading at T. Rowe Price tells Andrew O'Day investors are scared, but it's during these periods of uncertainty when the best investment opportunities present themselves. Brooks adds that as we look back on this period, we will wish we had bought more.

There are just a lot of people who aren't believing yet. Andy Brooks, vice president and head of U.S. equity trading at T. Rowe Price tells Andrew O'Day investors are scared, but it's during these periods of uncertainty when the best investment opportunities present themselves. Brooks adds that as we look back on this period, we will wish we had bought more.