Saturday, November 17, 2012

Cliff diving

Bad news continues to dribble out of Europe, and there is always the ever-present worry about corporate profits and how the global economic slowdown will hit the bottom line.

But the major players in the upcoming fiscal negotiations appeared to be digging in their heels on Wednesday, suggesting a protracted battle is brewing over the fiscal cliff.

That’s not what the Street wants to hear. Still, it shouldn’t come as a surprise as an emboldened president and a tax-averse House Speaker unveil their opening positions.

On Friday, a meeting of top Democrats and Republicans ended on a more conciliatory note in what are sure to be difficult talks.