Savers who staked their wellbeing on the credit markets took the risk of getting pinched by low interest rates in a lackluster economy.

FORBES: Savers: Don't Shut Up, Speak Up!

The gains suggest that the market is getting ahead of itself, given a lackluster outlook for the economy, said Uri Landesman of Platinum Partners.

NPR: Stocks Gain After Unemployment Claims Fall

Indian demand has also been lackluster because of a weaker economy and a proposed tax on gold sales.

FORBES: FOCUS: Gold Not Acting As Safe Haven, Falling With Other Markets In Tuesday's Rout

United Technologies shares rallied this morning, after the manufacturer announced a deal to fund its largest-ever acquisition but blamed a poor global economy for lackluster results.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

It's easy to see why investors think fewer dollars will flow to start-ups--73% of venture capitalists expect fund-raising among venture firms to stay the same or decline, as limited partners such as pension funds and university endowments proceed cautiously in a still-struggling economy and remain wary of the venture industry after more than a decade of generally lackluster returns.

WSJ: Cloudy Funding Forecast Ahead For Start-Ups

Indeed, the U.S. has averaged around 150, 000 new jobs, a lackluster sum that does little to lower unemployment and grow the economy.

FORBES: ADP: Dec. Hiring Shot Up To 215K, As Businesses Withstood Fiscal Cliff

The U.S. economy is suffering because of a combination of historic deleveraging, lackluster support from fiscal policy makers in Washington, and a general, yet pervasive, lack of business confidence.

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The U.S. economy is in rough shape, in part, because of a lackluster housing market.

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In equities, investors are wondering if the U.S. stock market as a whole is somewhat overpriced given its performance year-to-date and lackluster growth in the economy.

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