The first week of March started off with a deepening credit crisis that appears to have pushed the US economy into recession. Richard Russell, 83-year old author of the Dow Theory Letters, remarked: “The end of a costly (for most) and difficult week. ... this market has darn near worn me out, and I don't wear out easily.”

Read all about this in Prieur du Plessis's regular weekly blog post, highlighting some thought-provoking news items and quotes from market commentators during the past week, and briefly reviewing the week’s market action on the basis of economic statistics and a performance chart.