fears

Fears about the possible recession in Europe and a slowing rate of growth in developing nations could mean a grim outlook for 2012.

The good news is, a recent pick-up in consumer spending is fending off fears of another U.S. recession.

There are growing fears that a European country could default on its debt and spark a crisis in the global financial system.

But even if authorities can stave off a default, Europe could still be headed for recession.

In the days of rising oil prices and fears of dwindling supplies, it makes sense to get as much crude as possible out of any given well.

Budget deficits should raise interest rates. But investors fear slow growth and unemployment more, so borrowing -- and savings -- rates stay low.

Unrest in Egypt raise medium-term fears for oil supplies. But for now, the markets are be taking the threat to regional stability in their stride.

Increasing Europe worries and China fears are leading me to rethink my strategy for next year. It's going to be a rougher course than I've been expecting.

China's economic growth slowed for the second quarter in a row, cooling fears that its economy is growing at an unsustainable pace.

With Tuesday's lifting of the deep-water drilling moratorium, it seems that fears of massive job losses among drill workers may have been overblown.

Think the debt crisis in Europe is over? Think again.