Business news for Mon, 31 Dec 2007 & with word recession. 6 news.

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Choppy markets will likely remain the norm at least through the first half of 2008 as investors weigh the potential of a U.S. recession against what is hoped to be resilient global growth, analysts and strategists say.

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Credit-market turbulence, interest-rate intrigue, record high oil and a deflated U.S. dollar made for a white-knuckle quarter that capped a volatile year for bond mutual-fund managers. Their jobs may not get any easier in 2008.

The dollar remained under pressure against its major trading partners following weak housing data on Friday which which added to investors' fears that the American economy may sink into recession

It's going to prove a dangerous 2008 for the US economy.

Christmas cheer was left on the shelves this year. Scrooge is back. Or, so it would seem, if only the opinions of financial markets counted. In fact, we have never seen such pessimism among investors looking into the new year. After shaking their chicken bones, the consensus of American economists puts 40 per cent odds on a US recession next year. What would that mean for the beleaguered housing market and sub-prime woes? Surely, sitting on cash looks king again?

A small 1950s bungalow in Stockton, California, is up for sale for $169,950. Sitting off a quiet road dotted with American flags, the Funston Avenue home has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a covered porch.$