Chaos reigns Friday: Lame-duck White House and Congress are unable to reach a decision on the financial crisis. Yet Citigroup stock inched up, despite misgivings over the CEO's determination not to break up the firm. And while legislators dither over the jet-setting Big 3 automakers' fates, one strategist told CNBC that Ford Motor stock could yet quadruple overnight. (You read that correctly.)

As the Dow opened to the upside on Friday, Jack Welch, former General Electric chairman & CEO, shared his insights on Detroit, the economy and Wal-Mart's new CEO.

Richmond Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Lacker said it was reasonable to expect the U.S. economy to reverse its downward track some time in 2009, and warned of inflation risks in any rebound.

The Big 3 U.S. automakers may have reached a bailout compromise Thursday — or not. Citigroup shares hover near $5, even after mega-investor Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said he'd boost his Citi stake to 5 percent. Strategists told CNBC to expect more volatility — and no bottom for months yet.

The U.S. Conference Board's index of Leading Economic Indicators fell more than expected in October, as stock prices dropped and consumer expectations weakened, the research group said on Thursday.

Federal Reserve officials have pared their outlook for economic growth through 2009 to minimal levels and are prepared to cut interest rates further, while concern has risen that a deflationary spiral may take hold.

Cuts to interest rates may not be enough in and of themselves to boost the economy, Pimco's Bill Gross said on Wednesday.

Fed officials slashed their growth forecasts through 2009 and hinted that further interest rate cuts may be necessary, minutes of the October meeting show.

Things look worse for GM, Ford and Chrysler Wednesday as Congress seems less likely to approve a $25 billion automaker bailout. Stocks slipped — but some analysts say that slide had little to do with the Big 3. CNBC canvassed the experts, who foresee plunging oil prices, a stronger dollar — and say the market has already bottomed (!).

Chief executives of leading U.S. companies called for a fiscal stimulus package worth at least $300 billion and urged president-elect Barack Obama to swiftly name his economic team.

On Tuesday, U.S. legislators heard testimony from Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, the TARP bailout seems to ire everyone — and few can agree what to do with the Big 3 automakers. CNBC's experts offered their views on the economy — and actually found reason for investor hope.

Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Bachus, and Members of the Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to testify on behalf of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regarding recent efforts to stabilize the nation's financial markets and reduce foreclosures.

Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Bachus, and other members of the Committee, I appreciate having this opportunity to review some of the activities to date of the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, and to discuss recent steps taken by the Federal Reserve and other agencies to support the normalization of credit markets.

Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to testify this morning on implementation of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. I am grateful and everyone in this country should be grateful, for the efforts of Chairman Frank, ranking member Bachus, this committee and other members of Congress toward adoption of the financial rescue legislation, which created critically important authorities and financial capacity to stabilize our financial system.