Author: Denise Royal, Producer

Wall Street is keeping up last week's momentum.. up more than 200 points today. That's due in part to a new agreement that will give Bear Stearns shareholders five times the payout than was outlined in a JPMorgan Chase buyout deal a week ago. So far today, Bear Stearns shares have nearly doubled in value. New York Bureau Chief Scott Gurvey will have analysis on today's announcement.

A stronger-than-expected housing report is adding to the upswing. The National Association of Realtors reported sales of previously-owned homes rose in February after falling six months in a row. At the same time, the trade group says median home prices fell by the largest amount on record. Tonight, Susie Gharib interviews Tobias Levkovich, chief U.S. strategist at Citigroup about what's going on in the commodities markets. Stephanie Dhue looks at parallels between the current credit crisis and and the Savings & Loan Crisis of the 1980's and early 90's. And, in tonight's Tax Tips, advice for homeowners facing foreclosure from Kevin McCormally, Executive Editor at Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

The second straight month of job losses all but ended the debate over whether the U.S. economy has slipped into recession. The Labor Department says nonfarm payrolls tumbled 63,000 in last month, after falling 22,000 in January, which was the first decline in more than four years. Tonight, Suzanne Pratt takes a look at what today's data means for the economy and new hopes of another rate cut by the Federal Reserve.

Wall Street stocks fell, came back, and fell again on the news. The Fed is moving to assist credit markets. Today the central bank said it would boost the size of its term auction facility or TAF to $100 billion. And how much is too much? Lawmakers on Capitol Hill say top banking industry executives were paid far too much in salary, retirement, and bonuses while their companies' fortunes declined. Countrywide Financial's Angelo Mozilo, Stan O'Neal formerly of Merrill Lynch, and Charles Prince formerly of Citigroup are defending their millions in compensation and the contributions they made to their respective companies.

Plus, tonight's Market Monitor say gold is the best hedge in this growing global credit crisis. He's Mark Skousen, author of Investing in One Lesson.

Yahoo says no to Microsoft's takeover bid, initially valued at 44.6 billion dollars. Yahoo says the offer is too low -- but Microsoft isn't backing down. What does all of this mean? We'll get analysis from Toan Tran of Morningstar. Plus, Wall Street's most famous index is making big changes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is adding two firms.. and losing two. New York Bureau Chief Scott Gurvey looks at what brought on the changes.. and what it means to investors.

Also tonight, there's a huge surge in spending on educational testing. We'll show you as we kick off our new series "The New Business of Education" with a look at what 's behind the trend. And finally, tonight's commentator predicts tremendous challendges for the next U.S. president. She's Alice Rivlin, Senior Fellow at Brookings and former Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve.

Wall Street ended in positive territory for the first time this week. The gain for stocks comes the same day that retailers reported dismal sales for January. Wal-Mart was among the big losers with sales coming in well below estimates. Suzanne Pratt looks at new consumer spending trends in tonight's program and what they means to the economy and to the prospect of recession.

On Capitol Hill, the Senate has passed a stimulus plan that will provide one-time rebates of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples plus $300 for each child. Low income earners, including retirees on Social Security and disabled veterans who pay no income taxes, would receive checks of $300. The House was also expected to give its approval Thursday and send it to President Bush for his signature. Also on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are trying to figure out how to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Stephanie Dhue was there for today's debate.

And finally, Scott Gurvey wraps up his Future of Television series tonight, with a look at how its evolution to digital technology will bring viewers new options and will also impact how programs are recorded and viewed and even how news is gathered.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the central bank is ready to act aggressively to help the economy. In a Washington speech, he said the Fed stands "ready to take substantial additional action as need to support growth and to provide adequate insurance against downside risks." Stephanie Dhue gets reaction to the speech and looks at if there are limits to what the Fed can do. In addition, we'll get some analysis from Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist for First Trust Advisors. Despite Bernanke's assurances and all of the M&A news, concerns remain about the outlook for the economy. The nation's biggest retailers reported weaker-than-expected holiday sales today. Suzanne Pratt takes a look at how the disappointing holiday performance is making analysts more pessimistic about consumer spending in 2008.

Plus, there's word of big mergers and acquisitions today as well. Bank of America is reportedly in talks to buy Countrywide Financial. Delta Airlines is reportedly in merger talks with another airline. And, our Economic Choices '08 coverage tonight turns to Senator Hillary Clinton. Washington Bureau Chief Darren Gersh talks one-on-one with her top economic advisor Gene Sperling.

Dow Component Alcoa kicks off the 4th quarter earnings season today after the closing bell. In tonight's program, Erika Miller looks at what's ahead for the earnings season.. amid talks of an economic recession. Susie Gharib will interview Jason Trennert, Chief Investment Strategist at Strategas Research Partners. Despite the talk of recession, Jason remains one of the most bullish strategists on Wall Street.

Tonight's "Street Critique" guest says while many stocks seem broken right now, some are easily fixed and worth buying. She's Hilary Kramer, author of "Ahead of the Curve." Our "Money File" tonight looks at the benefits of using a debit card instead of checks from Social Security. We'll get advice from Terri Cullen, Personal Finance Columnist at the Wall Street Journal.

Last month, employment posted its smallest increase in over four years last month as the housing downturn continued to take its toll, while the jobless rate hit a two-year high, indicating a weak finish for the U.S. economy in 2007. In tonight's program, Suzanne Pratt will have analysis on today's Labor Department report and the chances of the economy sliding into a recession.

President Bush is meeting with his top economic advisers on drafting a possible package to stimulate the economy. Stephanie Dhue takes a look at what the president plans to do in light of today's employment report. Washington Bureau Chief Darren Gersh sits down with White House Chief Economic Adviser Ed Lazear to get details on the administration's plan and what options the president is considering. And, tonight's Market Monitor says 2008 is a time for guarded optimism. He's Richard Steinberg, President of Steinberg Global Asset Managment.

The 2008 Election kicks off in earnest today with the Iowa caucuses. Both Democrats and Republicans are stressing the election's importance. Tonight, Susie Gharib talks with political analyst Tom Gallagher, Director at the International Investment & Strategy Group. Crude oil futures have traded over $100 a barrel for the second consecutive day. Tonight, Erika Miller takes a look at the January Barometer. It's a Wall Street adage that says January's trading dictates the market's direction for the rest of the year.

It's the last trading day of 2007. Many investors are saying good bye and good riddance to this turbulent year for stocks. The major indices did finish with gains, but not quite the strong finishes we've seen in years past. In tonight's program, Erika Miller looks ahead to what the various economic reports out later this week and they effect analysts predict they'll have on the beginning of the 2008 markets.

NASA has released its survey of pilots. The report is very cryptic, and the agency previously withheld a lot of the information over concerns that it would upset travelers and hurt airline profits. The reason: the friendly skies may not be very safe. The report shows near-collisions and runway interference occur a lot more than people think. (The report cost more than 11 million dollars.) These days, many Americans are choosing not to fly -- and they're leaving the driving to bus companies. Diane Eastabrook shows us how Megabus is helping to turn things around for the entire bus industry. Plus, tonight's commentator has some advice for fixing problems in the housing market. He's Glenn Hubbard, Dean of the Columbia Graduate School of Business, and Former Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

And finally (and most importantly) HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The markets remain flat today despite November's employment report that is not expected to keep the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates as expected next week. Suzanne Pratt finds out how much today's report is expected to impact the decision on interest rates. For the third straight month, consumer sentiment is down, according to the most recent Reuters/University of Michigan index. That can't be a surprise with higher gas prices, lower housing prices and other problems in the economy.

Also in tonight's program, Darren Gersh looks at what's left on the Congressional agenda. With the holiday recess looming, lawmakers only have a short amount of time to tackle some important issues. And, our Market Monitor guest says now is a good time to be an investor - if you like value. He's John Hughes, President of Quantum Capital Management.