Monday

Economic Reports: Pending Home Sales

The Pending Home Sales report for March comes out this morning at 10:00 am, and I am a little surprised by the expectations (flat). With all the foreclosures continuing, and prices still sliding, I think this report will show a modest increase in Pending Home Sales. Read the full story

Has the housing market hit an absolute bottom yet? Perhaps, but probably not. But there are at least indications however that things could start turning around.

Last week, the February Housing Starts report handily beat estimates. While this may only be a temporary spurt, it was a positive surprise. The growth was primarily focused in the Northeastern states, but again, any increase in this dismal sector is a positive. Read the full story

For the better part of a year, the "authorities" in Washington and on Wall Street, as well as most of the "experts" on television have been telling you that the "problems are contained". Bernanke himself said the losses in the financial sector shouldn't exceed $250 billion. The bailout alone is for $700 Read the full story

Petty criminals go to jail, while the biggest criminals of all are promoted, appointed and elected to the highest positions of power. Bernie Madoff didn't exactly run the country. But he did run one of the world's largest financial exchanges, when he served as Chairman of the NASDAQ.

Certainly you're familiar with the story. Read the full story