Summary

The major stock indices are all higher at midday on Friday, although higher stock prices at midday have not been a guarantee of higher stock prices at the close of late (or ever). Overall, there is still a lot of pressure on equities and the technical condition of the overall stock market is weakening. On the positive side, an imminent shutdown of the U.S. government seem less likely than more likely. On the negative side, consumer sentiment plunged in March and inflation expectations increased. Specifically, the University of Mi