After all the talk of booming holiday retail sales, December's numbers were up by just a tenth of a point.

Vacancies at malls were down at the end of 2011, in part because new construction has stalled.

The Federal Reserve officials meet today to discuss the slow domestic recovery, the ongoing crisis in Europe, and a plan for better communication surrounding its actions. In Russia, billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov announced he will run for president against Vladimir Putin in next spring's elections. Wall Street types can expect smaller bonuses this year, but many are thankful to just have a job.

From July to September, American families purchased more, even as their net worth shrank faster than it has at any time since the worst of the financial crisis.