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Thin ice. Stocks steamed forward yesterday despite scary jobless figures. In thin, late summer trading, investors clamored for their old tech favorites.

Can’t fight the feeling any longer. Stocks were unable to hold gains yesterday as relations with China and Fed minutes soured the rally. Fed minutes tea-leaf-reading reminded investors that the pandemic has hurt the economy and that Congress is not sticking to the plan.

Back to square one. Stocks posted a mixed close yesterday with the S&P500 breeching an all-time high which it achieved just 126 days ago… before the pandemic. Homebuilders are building homes like crazy and lawmakers are zeroing in on a “skinny” stimulus bill.

Drip, drip, drip. Stocks posted another mixed close as certain sectors race ahead leaving others stuck in the mud. Housing is booming while manufacturing languishes and technology… everyone needs technology.

Lost steam. Stocks fizzled on Friday with a mixed close in response to mixed economic numbers and a lack of congressional action. Consumers are still buying things, but not as much as in prior months.

Almost is not good enough. Stocks slipped yesterday, missing an opportunity to rise above break-even as lawmakers take a long weekend break to contemplate their lack of progress on a stimulus package. Unemployment showed some signs of a turn-around but it was not enough to rouse the market bulls.