The Opening Bell

On February 23 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: The US Labor Department releases Jobless Claims Freddie Mac releases weekly mortgage rates Spanish energy company Repsol Gap, Kohls, & Nordstrom all report earnings today  

The housing numbers have been a big focus so far this year and despite what seems like only negative reports, John Horton focuses on the positive. Steve sat down with this week’s Associated Bank Thought Leader, John Horton (Vice President and Senior Lending Manager), to talk about how millennials are on a home buying spree, and how credit cards can make or break your home buying experience. Steve also discussed a new bipartisan medical group that will help all patients […]

On February 22 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: National Association of Realtors releases existing home sales for January The Federal Reserve minutes will be released later today from the January meeting Tesla, Fitbit, & CPAC are expected to report earnings today  

On February 21 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: Home Depot, Walmart, & Macy’s all report earnings The Brexit Bill debate continues in the UK Parliament An International Coalition of 25 Human Rights Organizations will hold it’s ninth annual Gathering of Human Rights Dissidence in Geneva International Convention Center

Chicagoans know that getting to and from Ohare International Airport can be a trip in and of itself. Mary Wisniewski (Transportation Reporter at Chicago Tribune) joined Steve to talk about the possible revival of the Ohare Express Train program from the loop to Ohare. Snow Saxman (a.k.a The Money Oracle) looks at the financial world a little differently than most, and told Steve about how one’s past plays a vital role in future success.  

On February 20 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: No major economic reports today since it’s President’s Day Banks, Federal and state courts along with post offices are closed today However, the UK politicians will debate on downgrading President Trump’s visit to Queen Elizabeth II.  

Closing out the week, Steve woke up to a plethora of international stories such as deeper South Korea corruption details, Tony Blair’s perspective on Brexit, US Inflation Reports and thankfully Paul Nolte (Kingsview Asset Management) was there to tell us how it was all impacting our portfolios. Rick Seaney (FareCompare.com) also checked in with Steve to tell us how to where to go for the weekend and detailed a strange story this week from United Airlines.  

On February 16 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: The Commerce Department Reports on US Home Construction in January The Labor Department will report on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week Freddie Mac reports on this week’s average US mortgage rates and issue quarterly results G20 Foreign Ministers meet today The North Atlantic Council meets today (Rex Tillerson is expected to attend) Other business news that could impact markets  

On February 13 2017, Steve Grzanich shares today’s market drivers: The Commerce Department releases Retail Sales Data for January The Labor Department releases its Consumer Price Index for January The Federal Reserve releases Industrial Production Figures for January House Financial Services Committee will see Janet Yellen’s Senate presentation today National Association of Home Builders releases the Housing Market Index for December The Treasury Department releases the International Money Flows for December  

The McCormick Center is one of the biggest convention centers in the country and Steve chatted with Barnaby Dinges (CMO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority – MPEA) about how the campus is helping to drive Chicago’s economy. Filling the center this week is the most popular annual event, “The 109th Chicago Auto Show”.  WGN’s Dane Neal (host of “On The Road”) told Steve about his visit to the show over the weekend and what consumers should look forward […]