The President's trip to Asia was supposed to be all about creating jobs back in the U.S. But he failed to create a trade pact with South Korea, get an agreement on limiting surpluses by large trading partners and to get China to allow its currency to appreciate more.

Adjusted for inflation, the current stock market hasn't recovered nearly as much as it seems if you look at only nominal prices. At best, you've gained just 3.6%. But more likely, you're down by some 23%. And if you measure the Dow in something other than dollars -- say, oil or silver -- the return is even more distressing.

E-book sales continue to climb. But the popularity of digital titles is forcing publishers to ask some thorny questions about pricing, negotiations with writers and the future of the publishing industry.