I was away from the computer and away from the markets, so let me recap most important developments.

• MBA purchase applications were up 0.8% vs. 3.6% the week before.
• Retail sales in December disappointed coming out at -0.3% vs. 0.4% consensus and 1.3% in November.
• Initial jobless claims edged up reaching 444.000 vs. 437.000 consensus and 434.000 the week before.
• Business inventories rose 0.4% in November vs. o.2% consensus and 0.2% in October.
• CPI for December came right at the consensus of 0.1% vs. 0.4% in November.
• Industrial production for December also right at the consensus of 0.6% vs. 0.8% in November.
• Capacity utilization rate was at 72% in December vs. 71.9 % consensus and 71.3 % in November.
• Consumer confidence for January was at 72.8 vs. 74.0 consensus and 72.5 in December.

All in all stagnation all over data; deflation a serious possibility; U.S. economy still losing  job; Consumer confidence pointing to possible further weakness.