All three stock indices continued a two-week decline this week with the local stock index leading the charge with 2.13 percent drop, finishing at 504.79 by Monday's close. The Nasdaq dropped .82 percent to 2,364.31, and the Dow slipped just .82 percent to 11,383.56.

Compounding the already weak economy is Hurricane Gustav, which caused a rise in the price of crude oil as it threatened oil infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico. The price per barrel of crude oil now sits at $113.11, up 1.32 percent from last week.

Fortunately, the oil price gains were limited by a stronger dollar, despite the storm threats. The dollar rose to a six-month high against the euro this week, ending at .6806 by Monday's close. Since oil is traded in dollars, when the dollar becomes more valuable oil becomes more expensive for foreign investors.

Locally, all but three stocks saw decreases. The gains, however, were rather modest. The Gap rose 1.38 percent, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory rose 1.09 percent, and Kinder Morgan remained relatively flat with a .03 percent increase.

The local airline stocks have seen the biggest turn around in recent weeks, with the rising price of oil being the major contributing factor. Nationally, Southwest Airlines was the only airline stock in positive territory as of Monday, gaining 10 cents per share. United Airlines dropped 19.7 percent, landing at 11.66, while Delta had a smaller slide with a 9.69 percent drop, finishing at $8.2 per share.

Delta also sought to strengthen its financial position this week with the announcement that it has borrowed the entire amount of its $1 billion revolving credit facility as well as amended its credit card processing agreement. Delta had $3.7 billion of liquidity at the end of July, and the company says it will have more than enough cash to manage the integration process and run the day-to-day business operations after the upcoming merger with Northwest Airlines.