He wont negotiate on the debt limit. The one thing that i think hopefully in the new year we can focus on, is putting a package like this together with a little bit less drama, a little less, and not scare the heck out of folks quite as much. Reporter but, with the sequester and other big spending issues like medicare on the table, striking a deal this year wont be easy. This is the best opportunity that were going to have to save our nation and do those things that we have to put in play. Reporter but theres not much hope for a sweeping deal this year. My suspicion is that we will you know, kick the can down the road on whatever we do in february or march, and it may be for a year, it may be for two years, but well be coming back to deal with issues like this in the nearterm. Reporter the investment market isnt putting much pressure on lawmakers to forge a longterm solution for the nations fiscal troubles, and some fear that could mean a real fix is still very far away. The good news
Rally to wall street. Awaiting president obamas signature tonight is an agreement not to raise taxes on most americans. Even though hard decisions on Government Spending cuts were put off, the deal over tax rates ushered in a 308 point rally for the Dow Jones Industrial average. But as sylvia hall reports, the new session of Congress Beginning tomorrow faces some Big Decisions very soon. Reporter as americans return to work from the holidays, they might breathe a little easier knowing the fiscal cliff isnt happening. But the deal on the president s te. In fact, it sets the stage for a bitter First Quarter fight. The bill does add some certainty to this years tax rates, by permanently extending bushera tax cuts for people making less than 400,000 per year and couples making less than 450,000. It also staves off the sequester that package of sharp federal spending cuts for two months. But lets look at what the deal doesnt do. It doesnt take the sequester off the table completely, and it
Trying to strengthen ties with eu allies. Hans nichols is in the belgian capital. What will be the tone in brussels . It started somber when the president visited fields of flanders. On wars inective past centuries and the responsibilities of the current. Eneration all unit given the situation with ukraine. Technically, heres what is happening today. Theyre making technicall assessments on which industries in europe would be affected by another round of sanctions against sectors and companies. Obama mentioned energy, finance, arms industry. They seem to be far away from pulling the trigger on another round of sanctions, there would have to be another incursion. Rom russia into ukraine thank you, hans nichols. In washington, the senate moves closer to adding a two ukraine. The bill advantage the provision the bill abandons the provision that would have boosted the imf and guarantees 1 billion in loans and 100 million in direct aid. Sandy levin of michigan, Ranking Member of the house wa
To cnbc first around 9 30 eastern time this morning. Well also be talking to an analyst in just a few moments about ges offer, what he thinks ultimately will happen with this deal. First, more headlines from andrew. Andrew, good morning. You made it. Good morning. We can tell that story in just a little bit. Lets get you through some of the other headlines first. Two big names reporting after the bell. Twitter reported lackluster user and usage growth for the second consecutive quarter. That raised concerns about the company maintaining the mass following weve been talking about. The news on the growth overshadowing the betterthanexpected results. Twitter stock falling below postipo twice of 38. 80, that was the ipo low of 38. 80 on november 25th. You can see right now were at 37. 58. Also, lets talk about ebay a little bit. The company earning 70 cents a share versus on estimate of 67 cents. Revenue topping estimations as well. Coming in at 4. 26 billion. But guidance for its Second Q
Changes in fed policy in the meantime. Or will they . The eternal question remains. Or not. Yes. Someone joining us says the feds next move, jim grant will join us. No big fan of the fed and its policy the last six years. Well get his take on the fed policy. His take is always controversial. Contrary. But its fun and very wise, too. We love talking to james grant. Thats coming up. After the bell, elon musk joins us for a special, rare interview. His spacex firm he founded in 2002 was just ranked the Number One Company on the cnbc top 50 disruptor list. Among the plans he has for spacex is to colonize mars. Well also hit on news involving other companies. Solar city and tesla. A lot happening there. Big moves in the shares today as well. Lets show you the markets, get you caught up. Not a wide range for the major averages. The dow range has been 90 points. We are up 39, just off highs of the session now at 16,820. The nasdaq is the outperformer, up 24 points now. Technology is doing wel