Futures rise, combined with gains in Asia, signal a upward shift for the Dow at the start of the week. With the effects of the auto bailout settling in after last Friday’s rocky session, news that China and Denmark are taking action to add liquidity to the system should contribute to propel the market up, offsetting reports of production cutbacks in tech industries, Toyota’s first-ever losses and the continuing shock waves of the Madoff scandal.

As a plethora of analysts starts to forecast a stocks recovery in 2009 in spite of the continuing grim economic data, the extra liquidity is expected to begin trickling back into the market, with investors slowly reversing the selling trends.

Assessment
Expect a slight rise at the end of a volatile session.

A stronger than expected auto bailout plan, announced before the opening bell, provided a potent boost to the market on early trading, propelling the Dow into the green for most of the session.

However, hopes that Congress will release the rest of the TARP money before the end of the Bush presidency and Japanese strong action to inject liquidity in the market at the end proved insufficient to keep the Dow from closing down once again.

Assessment
Despite decisive action from governments, the market is still on distrust mode, with investors not taking any chances and cashing in on early gains.

European and Asian losses, as well as the fall of futures indicators, all point to a continuation of the downward trend, with metals and oil companies especially hit by fears of further cuts in demand.

Expected news of a rescue deal that will allow automakers to survive into 2009 and Obama’s vow of tightened regulation in the wake of the welcomed nomination of Mary Shapiro to oversee the SEC will stop the Dow from sliding even further, but will overall be insufficient to offset the flow of negative sentiment flooding the market.

Assessment:

Expect a day of continued losses, with a moderate upturn if a automakers rescue deal is announced before the closing bell.

Trends are set for another day of market losses. With the effects of the Fed’s intervention wearing off and investors beginning to wonder what’s left on Bernake’s arsenal, news of a fresh $850bn stimulus plan will be insufficient to offset the negative clouds hovering over Wall Street.

Adding to the negative mood are news of automakers cutting back on production, SEC’s admission that it failed to act on Madoff’s case despite warnings, losses in Europe and new unemployment figures that, although showing a slowdown on new claims, still register the worst month since 1982.

Assessment
Expect moderate losses at the end of a roller coaster trading.