Coming after a week of almost-universally upbeat economic data that buoyed U.S.markets, Wednesday's more-somber news is a reality-check, according to Alan Brown of Schroders, an asset management company.

VOA: standard.2009.08.05

"The president was upbeat. He deserves a lot of credit.

VOA: standard.2010.01.28

In a brief statement to reporters after the summit, Mr.Obama did not spell out a specific strategy designed to secure agreement, but European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso was upbeat that a deal could be struck.

VOA: standard.2009.11.03