JOB LOSSES - AT 8:01 A.M. ET: 

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Labor Department will release a report today that is expected to show the unemployment rate rising to 7.9 percent and a loss of 648,000 jobs in February, making it an especially cruel month for America's workers.

Cost-cutting employers are resorting to even bigger layoffs as they scramble to survive the recession, feeding insecurities among those who still have jobs and those who desperately want them.

COMMENT:  Unpleasant numbers, but remember that the unemployment rate in the great Depression rose to 25%, and was more than 10% in the early 80s.  However, these new numbers should have a negative impact on an already sagging stock market. 

March 6, 2009