links for 2010-02-24

Driven by expanding problems with commercial real estate loans, the number of distressed banks in the U.S. rose to 702 in the fourth quarter, marking the highest level in 16 years, according to a report released Tuesday by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Consumer confidence is a lagging, not leading, indicator {me: from Aug, 2007 and a little ill-timed given the bull market was about to end!}

Bull markets often begin before consumer confidence hits bottom