Zain Asher is minding your business this morning with the latest in the rally in stocks. Stocks are opening up at record highs this morning after the Dow closed at a new all-time high on Friday.
While the current market offers a huge wealth opportunity for investors, a study shows not everyone is making gains from this rally. The younger generation is set to make the highest returns. “So people between the ages of 25 to 34, they’re gonna have a more aggressive mix of stocks in their portfolio,” she says. “They are gonna benefit from this rally the most.”
Christine Romans is minding your business with the latest in U.S. stocks and world markets. With stocks consistently making gains, economists are watching to see if the momentum will continue. So far, it's still strong. Data out of Japan shows the country could be coming out of a recession, Romans says.
But all eyes are on the monthly jobs report coming out later this morning. "Economists surveyed by CNNMoney are predicting predicting 170,000 jobs added to the payrolls in February," Romans reports. "The unemployment rate expected to tick down to 7.8%." Romans says she'll be reading into how both the snowstorm in the Northeast in February and the sequester's might have affected this.
Attention is also on Facebook's upcoming facelift. The company is rolling out new features and an update on Facebook's newsfeed that is supposed to reduce clutter, Romans says. "We're told there's a backlog for the upgrade," she reports.
Christine Romans is minding your business with the latest on the stock market and good news about the housing market.
The Dow hit fresh record highs and is looking to make more gains today. Romans addresses the big question: Can it keep going? She says that while this bull market is four years old, it's not clear when it'll end. "The last leg of a bull market can often be the most profitable, but you don't know when it's gonna be over," she says.
In the housing market, "the number of homes available dropped more than 16% in February compared to a year ago," Romans says. "This is good because it sets you up for higher prices. It’s good for the selling season."
"Domestic diva" Martha Stewart is expected to testify in a civil case today pitting Macy's against J.C. Penney over Martha Stewart Living prodcuts. At issue is whether Stewart’s company broke an agreement with Macy’s by signing a $500 million deal to sell housewares at Penney locations. Christine Romans has more on the story.
Christine Romans is minding your business this morning with an eye on U.S. stock futures. "All three of the major averages set for a higher open," Romans reports.
Also, China sets highly ambitious economic goals for the year. Romans has the details.
Christine Romans is minding your business. The Dow and S&P are "within spitting distance of record highs," Romans reports. She explains the reasons. "The Fed has been pumping money into the system, the job market is slowly healing, the housing market looks good."
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates talks immigration with Christine Romans. He says the U.S. is losing potential talent. "He specifically is interested in high-skilled tech workers being allowed to stay in this country," Romans reports.
"The high talent immigration has kind of been held hostage," Gates tells her.
The buzz is building on Wall Street as the Dow and S&P near all-time highs. Christine Romans is minding your business.
Christine Romans is minding your business with the latest on gun sales. Gun sales are way up since the Sandy Hook shooting. "Background checks have been just skyrocketing," Romans reports.
Christine Romans looks at key economic reports to release this week regarding the economic health of the U.S., including:
Monday: Durable Goods
Tuesday: Case-Shiller 20-City Index and Consumer Confidence
Wednesday: Federal Reserve Minutes and 4Q GDP Estimate
Friday: Unemployment rate
Will these reports show a strengthening economy? Check out the video above.