And it is compelling. So, i also want to underscore that while investigators are gathering additional evidence on the ground, our understanding of what has already happened in syria is grounded in facts, informed by conscience and guided by common sense. Uncertainty about the possible military action against the Syrian Government is helping lift Oil Prices Near a fivemonth high. And also, some new numbers on the massive california rim wildfire that continues to burn out of control. Crews now have 20 of the fire contained. Thats the good news. But its still fanning out across the mountains in multiple directions, and the forecast calls for strong winds over the next couple of days, so that has some people anxious as well. In the meantime, im going to send it over to kayla with corporate headlines. Kayla . Hey, andrew, its a big morning for earnings, a lot of company news. Bill ackman has sold his stake in jcpenney after his campaign to overhaul the retailer failed. He sold approximately
Captioning sponsored by wpbt this is n. B. R. Tom good evening. Im tom hudson. The sequester is here and the federal Government Spending cuts will soon be enacted. Susie im susie gharib. Good evening, everyone. Well look at what sequester means for the u. S. Economy, jobs and the markets and how long it may last. Tom one bright spot for the economy auto sales. February was another strong month of sales. Susie that and more tonight on n. B. R. Tom before midnight tonight, the sequester takes effect. Those automatic spending cuts will trigger federal government furloughs, cuts in government contracts and cut backs in federal services. Congressional leaders met with the president this morning to talk about the situation, but no one expected a break through and no one was disappointed. Our Washington Bureau chief darren gersh tonight on what happened and what comes next. Reporter by now, you know how this story goes. After the lastminute meeting at the white house, the speaker emerges grim
And maybe that will start to resonate out there with the American Public and maybe then well be able to move forward with some sort of more reasonable fiscal path to the future. Reporter by easter, hoagland expects the sequester pain will probably be bad enough to force some sort of compromise, if not how bad is it going to be . What im hearing from a lot of people is the feeling this whole sequester thing is way overblown, is it . Okay, play the washington number game with me for a minute. You heard the 2 number. Oh, its only 2 of federal spending over the next 10 years. Its no big deal. But theres another washington number which is because of the way the sequester is structured, its 10 to 13 in some programs this year. And thats going to cause some pain. Susie all right, well, talk us through this a little bit. I mean, you have said that the automatic spending cuts are going to be gradual. They officially kick in at midnight tonight. So talk us through what happens after midnight. Re
And maybe that will start to resonate out there with the American Public and maybe then well be able to move forward with some sort of more reasonable fiscal path to the future. Reporter by easter, hoagland expects the sequester pain will probably be bad enough to force some sort of compromise, if not how bad is it going to be . What im hearing from a lot of people is the feeling this whole sequester thing is way overblown, is it . Okay, play the washington number game with me for a minute. You heard the 2 number. Oh, its only 2 of federal spending over the next 10 years. Its no big deal. But theres another washington number which is because of the way the sequester is structured, its 10 to 13 in some programs this year. And thats going to cause some pain. Susie all right, well, talk us through this a little bit. I mean, you have said that the automatic spending cuts are going to be gradual. They officially kick in at midnight tonight. So talk us through what happens after midnight. Re
Put investors in a sour mood. Behind the selling a strong showing in italys elections by groups opposed to economic reform, on top of that, u. S. Equities face a looming friday deadline for massive government budget cuts, known as sequestration. The dow tumbled 216 points, the nasdaq fell nearly 46, and the s p 500 lost 28 points. While theres been much talk of a correction in the stock market, sequestration may not be the catalyst. Suzanne pratt reports. Reporter it is widely accepted on wall street that sequestration is coming. And, with it a new reason for the fragile u. S. Economy to sputter. But, what will the first phase of billions of dollars in federal spending cuts actually do to the u. S. Stock market . After all, major market averages are hovering close to alltime highs, and dont forget investors are finally warming up to equities again. Floor broker art cashin says todays selling was mostly a reaction to italys election, and that the stock market is not yet focused on seque