Stocks mostly gain after data on jobs, retailers

And a survey shows that 78% of shoppers still want Marshall Field's after 3 years. Check out http://www.fieldsfanschicago.org . These results were actually presented at Macy's annual shareholders' meeting in May. Hey, nobody in this economy needs to continue to make enemies by ignoring what customers want to buy.

Stocks are range bound. Earlier in the year they came off their lows, but now they have stayed within in a certain high/low range.

Growth will be difficult in the coming months/years. There appears to be three main problems with seeing new growth 1) The countries debt is rising at a dramatic rate. What the taxpayers owe for just paying the interest on the debt is a huge burden on the country 2) Too many people are unemployed. Unemployment is around 10% with many thinking it will go higher. With the that many people out of work, and many more thinking they are the next to lose their jobs, spending is tight. 3) The Boomers are starting to collect money from the social programs. The governments obligations to a glut of people is now beginning. And because the social programs are a ponzi scheme, or pay as you go, the money the boomers have put into the system is already gone. Either taxes are to be raised to pay for those obligations, or the eligibility age is increased, or benefits are means tested or cut. Either way, the government has to get more money from somewhere.

I wouldn't trust the information from fieldsfanschicago.org . I know the board manipulates information.