The S&P 500 (^GSPC) snapped an eight-session winning streak although the measure’s 5.2% increase this month still represents its best January since 1987. (If you don’t want to know how that year ultimately panned out  look away now.) Oil already on its best run since 2009 rose for an eighth straight day in a fitting tribute to J.R. Ewing’s short-lived return to our TV screens last night.   Elsewhere Apple (AAPL) incurred another ratings reduction but by sheer force of willpower it advanced 2.26% in thumbing its nose at Will Power.   Today in economics January consumer confidence is expected to slip slightly from the prior month’s ...