Has the housing market hit bottom?

New-home sales were up in December, according to the Commerce Department. But 2006 was a year the home-building business would rather forget. Sales suffered the biggest drop since 1989. What's next?

Afghanistan aid package raises Pakistan pressure

President Bush and Democrats are at odds over a $10 billion aid package for Afghanistan. Democrats want to put conditions on the money to pressure Pakistan into cracking down on the Taliban. John Dimsdale reports.

Nasdaq's done playing games

Nasdaq officials say they'll pay $5.3 billion to buy the London Stock Exchange. Not a penny more. The LSE's been fighting off the hostile bid tooth and nail. But it's shareholders who'll decide. Amy Scott reports.

She's under a different spotlight now

The relationship between CNBC's Maria Bartiromo and Citigroup executive Todd Thomson is raising some eyebrows on Wall Street and among journalists. The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz has been reporting on the story. He talks with Kai Ryssdal.

Iraq war justified? Maybe for Baby Einsteins

President Bush drew attention to the woman who founded the Baby Einstein Company and sold it to Disney in 2001. He meant to stress the importance of women entrepreneurs. But commentator Susan Linn has another take.

Week on Wall Street

Dallas stockbroker and business analyst David Johnson — travelling in Vienna, Austria — talks with host Kai Ryssdal — visiting Boise, Idaho — about what happened this week in the markets.

A little-known change with a big effect

He's the executive. He gets to give the orders. Earlier this month President Bush issued an executive order that should make businesses pretty happy. Stephen Henn reports.

Putting a price tag on a Picasso

Fine art's been selling like mad. It raked in record profits last year. But for most of us, arriving at a monetary value for art is a mysterious thing. Stacey Vanek Smith takes a look at how it's done.