" This is Money Markets & More for a Tuesday December 16. From the newsroom of the MarketWatch radio network I'm Tracy Johnke. Coming up it's -- day the Federal Reserve announces its rate decision. And we're still working over the green for the other greens this holiday season but we aren't thinking small. Those stories coming up but first this."

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" On the -- watch out for news from best buy Goldman Sachs in the builder Hovnanian. Speaking of builders the governor reports on housing starts essentially new construction on new housing. And I'll have more on the general and upon builders in a moment. And the government releases the Consumer Price Index. The main event though is the Federal Reserve's meeting on interest rates the Fed will wrap up a two day meeting with a decision. On whether to cut its federal funds rate and pretty much everyone expects the cuts."

" Taking them down from 1% perhaps a half a percent. And citing the ongoing problems within the economy in the need for as much -- as possible."

" Joe Battipaglia of Stiefel Nicolaus says what's unclear is whether it will do any good because despite prior that moves we are continuing to get bad economic news."

" That the manufacturing center of the country about. The auto industry and -- spell out -- and also. The notion that don't build those who have yet to see anything materially good happen. To their business."

" The nation's homebuilders remain in a bad mood -- worst in fact since their trade groups started checking in with them two decades ago. The national association of homebuilders says fewer than one -- of its members think the housing market is any good. The group says builders just can't compete with those low priced for closures flooding the market. As popular as the iPhone and iPods are apple is not recession proof. Well no kidding no -- is. But this apparently has come as something of a surprise to some investors who couldn't wait to sell after Goldman Sachs told investors basically to hold Apple's stock. Not to buy because of weakening consumer demand for those products. Apple shares closed Monday with the loss of three and a half percent."

" Oh Christmas tree oh Christmas tree thing at its. I Oscar the -- and picnic yeah. I figure and it -- series doing it now. That's that is things as a Landon you know we got time -- it. Christmas how much green I going to cost me this year are people still buying up Christmas trees yet actually they are."

" I mean you think maybe. The other I'd be wanting to go bad USA today says that basically people are still buying Christmas trees what they are doing is instead you know getting a big nine or ten person like after buying smaller trees which of course are less expensive you know. And same with artificial trees they sell about ten million artificial trees each year. At the same thing people are still buying them they're just not buying the really really tall ones change from the tree -- Iran doesn't target a few weeks ago and I noticed just -- to -- the shorter artificial trees -- like now 15200. The bigger ones were more like 400. So there is. A pretty big price difference you know obviously fresh trees -- I think I accident greenhouse assignment fresh small street about 35 bucks. Yeah I -- be as a big ones are definitely more expensive so people are doing that and backed down the state of North Carolina which is a second biggest tree grower after or again. They said that a lot of retailers that -- kind of pared back their orders you know back and the fall where they played some. And these retailers ran out of trees so they had you know placement or get more trees out. The of people have been worried about the economy people not buying trees that's not the case there holiday Spirit is still -- there it is yes I really gathered here on the Christmas tree in you know celebrating the holidays each area. I -- been up for two weeks now asked me that ornaments are."

" I don't they ask you could put it it's a dumping and that's the but but but but but but it thank you thank yeah. Finally -- yard sale ritual is making its way to the shopping mall the ancient art of haggling is getting more work out these days."

" As one consumer to -- They would do very name brand Yorkshire retailer that we it was on sale for six or -- just that I diskette afforded them EG four dollars and managers it sure will take."

" Retail consultants -- beamer of America's research group. And though he says haggling at the shopping mall isn't new though he's seen a radical change in the number of shoppers trying."

" got somebody wants her to -- superficial they've negotiated at a lower price the last three to four months. That's that that'll part all right it's more than double the 32 thirds percent -- we normally see."

" And it's working beamer says 80% of the handlers tell him they're getting what they want."

" They've got us it was merchandise now because they have to sell after Christmas that they at least sixty or 70% all -- you would buy it. So addicted get a few dollars globally to date may be a better strategy and the silent about below cost. And Q -- loss in January February."

" And I did our Money Markets & More if you have a story idea or want a silicon something please trying to -- MarketWatch radio newsroom at Yahoo.com. We are literally standing by for. Your email we will not -- until you send the notes. I mean I'm Tracy -- CN next time."