Both stocks and bonds are slightly improved today.  Stocks are responding to a better than expected Initial Weekly Jobless Claims report for the week ended 12/17.  Claims came in at 364,000 which was less than the 380,000 expected.  Also the University of Michigan final Dec Consumer Sentiment Index came in at 69.9 vs expectations for a 68.0 reading and the Conference Board's November Leading Indicators came in up .5% vs the up .3% that was expected.  Bonds are responding to a downward revision of 3rd Qtr US GDP growth, which is now estimated to be 1.8% instead of the 2.0% growth previously projected.