Closed for Christmas

Shock news stories about the global economy have subsided. Global stock markets are down - the DAX has now fallen below 4,200 points - and the economic freeze is reaching beyond the automotive industry, which was the first to call for protective measures from governments. In Germany, any hopes that consumer spending might pick up again after high energy prices dampened enthusiasm to spend, were dashed by signs that Germany may be entering recession, which came just months after claims that Germany could decouple and continue on its growth path