Coming Week: Shaky Ground

As questions regarding the strength of the economy mount, the coming week may provide some answers.

The bond market continues to say the economy is weak, as evidenced by the recent drop in the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield to an 11-month low. On the other hand, the stock market, which is traditionally a leading indicator, is barely off its highs.

The major indices did move lower last week as economic worries began to take hold. The Dow fell 86 points, or 0.7%, its second losing week in a row. The S&P 500 gave back 4 points, or 0.3%, for the week, while the Nasdaq dropped 47 points, or 1.9%. ...