"Worse-than-expected weekly jobless numbers" plus overall worries about a recession are driving stock future down today. CNBC reports that jobless benefits claims rose by a "larger than expected 15,000 last week." Additionally, there's also the news that Goldman Sachs will lay off 10% of its 32,500 employees, joining a number of other firms that will be firing employees after companies consolidate (Bank of America's purchase of Merrill Lynch, Barclays' takeover of Lehman Brothers). Also interesting from CNBC: "Most economists say the current downturn will be far harsher than the blip of the 1990-1991 or even 2000-2001 recessions."