Noted economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman says yes, but that’s just nonsense. The seeds of today’s crisis were planted before the Gipper even took office.

The Dow ends up 13 points despite the highest unemployment rate since 1983. Interest rates move higher. Oil tops $70 but falls back. Apple’s Steve Jobs could soon return to the helm.

Coming off a big winning streak powered by bearish moves, a hedge fund company is wagering that worldwide stimulus efforts will have disastrous effects on currencies.

The recession made the retailer relevant to wealthier shoppers previously turned off by its reputation. Wal-Mart aims to keep them with brand names and less-cluttered stores.

Energy shares rise as oil nearly hits $69. Tech and bank stocks are strong. Friday’s jobs report will affect markets. Retailers report weak May same-store sales. Wal-Mart will add 22,000 jobs this year. SEC charges Countrywide’s former CEO with civil fraud.

A new batch of initial public offerings is outpacing the S&P 500 Index this year, and, if the whispers are correct, several more promising IPOs are just around the corner.

The Dow ends down 66 points after falling as much as 142 points after oil and metals prices drop. Fed boss Ben Bernanke says the U.S. needs to get the budget deficit under control. ADP says 532,000 private-sector jobs were lost in May.

The next group of Americans to lose their homes seemed to have good credit and affordable loans. But those families have been walloped by the recession.

StockScouter, MSN Money’s stock-picking tool, identifies companies with momentum and capable of helping investors outperform the market.

The Dow briefly moves into the black for 2009 as real estate shows signs of life. Auto sales, while weak, are better than expected. GM nears selling its Hummer brand to a Chinese company. JPMorgan Chase, American Express and Morgan Stanley sell shares to help pay off TARP funds.