MARIA-00
Extended; G.M. Self-Driving Cars; Futures Point Higher; Toys Instead of
Tickets?; Bitter Cold Hits Northeast; Russia Hacking Concerns; 2017 Banking
Outlook; Bank Stocks on Trump;More High Profile Names Descending On Trump
Tower Today, As The President-Elect Is Looking To Fill More Cabinet
Positions, This Is Coming As Our Current Commander-In-Chief Takes Aim At
Russia Over Election Hacking Concerns; We've Just Getting The Housing
Numbers In, Housing Starts Down 18.7 Percent For The Month Of November;
Rising Tensions Between The U.S. And Russia, President Obama Is Responding
To Russia's Alleged Interference With The U.S. Election Process. He's
Promising To Retaliate - Part 2>
Rogers Healy>
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And the golden arches are coming to you, McDonalds testing a new feature that could bring a big mac to your doorstep, but will it deliver. November housing start just out hitting the tape -- missing expectations coming after they hit a nine-year high in October, and as we showed you earlier markets not really showing much reaction to this miss, in terms of building permits and November housing starts. markets are off the highs of the morning, and nonetheless, showing a gain of about 30 points on the Dow Industrials.
In Europe, stocks are slightly higher. Take a look at the Eurozone indices up about a quarter of a percent on average. And in Asia, overnight, markets were mixed. As you would see here, the Hang-sang down, the others were up, and the best performer was Japan, up two-third of one percent. Rising tensions between the U.S. and Russia, President Obama is responding to Russia's alleged interference with the U.S. election process. He's promising to retaliate. However, WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange was on the Sean Hannity Show last night, and he said the source of the Podesta e-mails was not Russia.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIAN ASSAGNE, WIKILEAKS FOUNDER: Our source is not the Russian government.
SEAN HANNITY, SEAN HANNITY SHOW HOST: So in other words, let me be clear, Russia did not give you the Podesta documents or anything from the DNC?
ASSAGNE: That's correct.
HANNITY: Can you confirm whether or not you have information involving hacked info from the RNC?
ASSAGNE: We received about three pages of information to do with the RNC and Trump, but it was already public.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BARTIROMO: And joining me right now is the communications director for the DNC, Adam Hodge, joining us in Washington. Adam, good to see you, thank you so much.
ADAM HODGE, DNC COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR: Good morning, Maria, how are you.
BARTIROMO: I'm great. Thank you so much for joining us.
HODGE: Happy holidays.
BARTIROMO: and to you. What do you make of all of this? So Julian Assange comes on Fox last night with Sean Hannity, and says it wasn't the Russia, in fact, he says it was an insider of the DNC, what's your take on this?
HODGE: I'm going to trust the CIA and our intelligence community who are unanimous in saying that they thought the Russians were behind the attack, and that's really what we've known from the early on.
BARTIROMO: Let me ask you, Adam -- congratulations on the new job, I know you were hired in September of this year. And I want to ask you about what you're trying to do here because, you know, it feels like after what was such a contentious election, people are trying to figure out really where the American people are, and there's a debate about whether or not the DNC has gone too much to the left talking about things that are actually not critical to the American people. I was trying to have this debate a few minutes ago with Kristin Pelosi, actually. In terms of jobs, you know, that's what Americans want to talked about, job creations and opportunities, how do you convey a message of center, or center-left even, when it comes to the American people talking about what they want to hear about?
HODGE: Well, I think that we'll continue to talk about the ideas that we talked about on the campaign, investing in education, infrastructure, making it -- investing in really key job training. Those are all important things, but we can't lose sight of what we just went through in the past election, you know. Russia did attack our democracy, we can't allow -- we need a full thorough investigation into what happened. We need to know the facts, we need to know exactly who knew what when, but everything that we've seen so far, including from the bombshell of New York Times story this week, is that Russia clearly did this, and they did it to influence the election, and they did it to help Mr. Trump. And I think what should really give -- this should not be a partisan issue, I think you and I can both agree on that.
BARTIROMO: Yeah.
HODGE: And we should want to get to the bottom. We should want to know the facts. If the shoe was on the other foot, and the Russians were -- had hacked our democracy to help Hillary Clinton, everybody would be going crazy. So, look, we need to get to the bottom of the facts, we need the answers, that's why I think it's important that when the members of congress get back in session in January, they really need to look into this.
BARTIROMO: Let me ask you, Adam. How much responsibility do you believe Hillary Clinton should bear in this potential e-mail leak given her sloppy treatment of classified data?
HODGE: Well, look, I've not seen anyone say that the Russians hacked her e-mail server, so, I mean -- I think the two things are completely separate. I think what is true is that starting in September of 2015, there was a sustained relentless attack by the Russian government. These are not -- this wasn't some 400 pound man in Jersey like Mr. Trump likes to say. This really was, you know, men sitting in army fatigues in Russia hacking into our democracy. That's really scary, that's really big stuff, and that's why I think we really -- to get to the bottom of this, find out exactly what happened.
BARTIROMO: Yeah, I mean, what did happen? Because when you consider the fact that actually Hillary Clinton had a good relationship with the Russians. I mean, she tried to do a reset, remember the famous reset, you know. She's also had the deal with the Russian companies in terms of selling uranium and then, you know, getting a major investment into the Clinton Foundation. So what went wrong, I mean, because she apparently had a very good relationship with the Russians at one time?
HODGE: Well, I mean, I think, the most important relationship is actually the one between the United States and the Russian government. And it's been clear over the last few years that Russia has taken a decidedly different turn, and the fact that they would then come and hack our democracy, try and influence our election sow division, sow fear with the American people, and it was clearly was one-sided. BARTIROMO: Yeah.
HODGE: You know, we didn't see them really releasing documents and e-mails from anybody on the RNC side.
BARTIROMO: They tried though, right? I mean, they did tried to break it, but they couldn't.
HODGE: Well, no, but I think what we saw from the Wall Street Journal story yesterday that the attacks on the DNC were far more sustained, and far more relentless, and there's no request that they did it, and to influence the election. Now, the real question is, you know, why isn't Donald Trump, who got the same intelligence briefing back in, during the campaign, why is he still trying to play it off as if he's willfully ignorant?
BARTIROMO: Yeah.
HODGE: You know, the Intel community has been clear, they told them the answers, and he's attacking them just because he doesn't like their answers. And the question -- someone could say, that it's just because he wants to wait until he gets in office, but when you think about all the ties that his team has to Russia.
BARTIROMO: Yeah.
HODGE: . or Carter Page, whether is -- you know, Michael Flynn being a paid commentator for Russia TV, Paul Manafort, I mean.
BARTIROMO: Let me ask you this, Adam.
HODGE: . they got though the server in Trump Tower, went to Alpha Bank in Russia.
BARTIROMO: Yeah.
HODGE: I mean, you connect all those dots, and that's why we need to get the answers. That's why we need to ask the real tough questions.
BARTIROMO: Well, that's why -- well, let me ask you this, Adam, because I remember years ago I used to go to Russia a lot for their St. Petersburg conference every year, and every time I would go to Russia, this was a time when Hank Paulson was treasury secretary. I would -- a lot of my sources in government told me, Maria, don't take your blackberry, because as soon as you get in Russia air space, in fact, the officials within the treasury were not allowed to take their blackberries every time they traveled to Russia.
(CROSSTALK)
BARTIROMO: Do not take your blackberry because as soon as you enter Russian air space your information is wide open to the Russians. So, if they've been, you know, trying to hack us or hacking us for years, how come just now, when we're hearing from President Obama that he wants to retaliate. How come we haven't heard any of this in the last eight years?
HODGE: You know, I think the president has been very direct and very clear with Mr. Putin, when he -- when they have -- there've been opportunities to work together like the Iran sanctions deal, and when their efforts are completely opposed to the core morals and ideals that we hold as Americans. So, you know, we've held them accountable where we need to, and I think that will continue throughout the remainder of this administration. The real question is what happens when Donald Trump becomes president, because he spent the entire campaign cozying up to Putin. We know he's got extensive business ties back with Russia. And he's -- you know, we know that at the RNC convention, they changed the platform to make it more pro- Russia friendly. So the real tough questions I think you'll have to be asking the Trump administration come January, is what they're doing to soften our relationship with Russia. Is it just because he has a different view on policy? Maybe, or maybe it's because he has extensive business ties back in Russia, and he's trying to make sure nothing go sour there. That's the real questions you need to be asking.
BARTIROMO: We will ask the questions for sure, Adam.
HODGE: I know you will, Maria.
BARTIROMO: Nice to see you. Thank you so much for joining us,
HODGE: Good to see you.
BARTIROMO: Adam Hodge, joining us there in Washington. You know in Fox Business Network we'll bring you live coverage of President Obama's news conference today. It kicks off at 2:15 PM Eastern time. Don't miss it. We'll be there live. Coming up, flipping the script on wealth. Why Stuart Varney says that President-elect Trump is making it OK to make money again. And If you can't beat them, join them. T-Mobile is trying to win over AT&T customers by offering a year's free of the rival company's new streaming service. Back in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARTIROMO: Welcome back, 45 minutes away from the opening bell. We're expecting a higher opening for the broader averages. Take a look at this market. We did get weaker than expected numbers on housing starts and also Honeywell is issuing a weak forecast. The stock is down. So we've seen some negatives here, but we are certainly still expecting a higher opening.
T-Mobile is hoping to convince AT&T customers to make the switch by offering a year's worth of Direct TV now, that new streaming service is own by AT&T. Now this deal is only good for customers who signed up T-Mobile one unlimited plan, the stock up 32 percent for the year on T-Mobile. That's a pretty good looking chart there.
McDonald's is testing a new delivery service in Florida, this January, customers can order off the Uber eats app, and track the delivery, and then pay through the app. McDonald's stock is up 2.5 percent just for the month. They had a very good month as you see. And the president-elect says it's OK to be rich again. Joining me right now the host of Varney & Co., Stuart Varney on that. Stu, I like this theme.
STUART VARNEY, VARNEY & CO. HOST: I knew that. That's why I choose it. I could see that smile a mile off, Maria. But, you know, haven't we all gotten kind of used to the idea that income inequality is a terrible thing? Income inequality is holding us back. It's a bigger problem as global warming. We all kind of gotten used to that. And then, last night, Donald Trump on his thank you tour, he says to be strong again we must be a wealthy nation, a rich nation, and then he says, but you know, a lot of people say that doesn't sounds right, and so he goes on. I say we have to be a rich nation to rebuild the military, to build the wall, to recover. He's so right, isn't he? What a complete turn. What a switch this is. We've been mired in fairness, and income inequality is terrible, and suddenly we've got a new president who says, it's OK, get out there and make some money. It's OK to be rich. We'll all get richer together. I just love it, I'm sorry, but I just love it, Maria.
BARTIROMO: Yeah, I do. And, you know, it's because for some reason it became a bad word if you made money. And why is that, Don Peebles? Jump in here.
VARNEY: Don Peebles, my old friend, and Don, how are you?
PEEBLES: Good, how are you?
VARNEY: I'm well, sir.
PEEBLES: Good to see you, nice to see you on the air, instead of bumping each other during lunch.
VARNEY: I get a lot of air time on this network.
PEEBLES: I know, you do.
BARTIROMO: What about that?
PEEBLES: Well, look, I think there's this attitude that being successful is something wrong. My daughter came home from school one day a few years ago -- early on Obama's administration and said, daddy, we're not rich, are we? And I said.
BARTIROMO: Better hope so?
PEEBLES: . why is that a problem? You know, rich people are bad.
(CROSSTALK)
PEEBLES: So this country is based on opportunity, based on success, and that's why people come here from all over the world, that's why I'm in New York City. That's, you know, why we are all having this opportunity up mobility. And now we need to get back to that. Income inequality it's because of people who don't have more money, more jobs, more economic opportunities.
VARNEY: Don, you left us hanging, what did you tell your child when she said are we rich, were not rich, are we? What did you say?
PEEBLES: I told her we were, and we're very fortunate, and I told her that the greatest thing -- one of the greatest things about the country is that someone like me, whose father was an auto mechanic, whose two grand fathers were a janitor and a doorman, could build the kind of wealth and company that I've built, and that's what the great part of America is.
(APPLAUSE)
PEEBLES: Go back and tell your teacher tomorrow that you love America because it gave your dad the opportunity to change you're his life and life for you and your family.
VARNEY: Well, you're obviously from a privilege background because your father had a job. I mean that's different from some of us on the other side of the pond, but that's another story entirely.
BARTIROMO: Stuart, isn't that a nice sort of talking point there for someone who might be the next mayor of New York City?
VARNEY: Ah, now, this is -- you're breaking news to me.
BARTIROMO: Yeah.
VARNEY: This is a revelation.
BARTIROMO: Well, we're going to talk with Don Peebles before we end the show, and he's going to tell us exactly what he might do for New York. He hasn't committed yet, but we think he's running for the mayorship, and he's going to take on Bill De Blasio, Stu.
VARNEY: Oh, works for me, you've got my vote, sir. You got it.
PEEBLES: Thank you.
BARTIROMO: We'll see you in 12 minutes, Stuart, thanks so much. Varney & Co., begins the top of the hour. And he's got Trump advisor, Kellyanne Conway live with Stuart, top of the hour, you don't want to miss that. So join Stuart in 10 minutes. I'll be there as well, by the way, in his 10:00 hour. Coming up, real estate in 2017, the top industry trends to watch for next year. We're back in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARTIROMO: Welcome back. Some challenge in the housing market this morning. November housing starts came out. They were down worse than expected. Down more than 18 percent from the last reading, this coming as mortgage rates are climbing up, especially in the wake of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates. I want to bring in Rogers Healy right now, he's owner of Rogers Healy and Associates Real Estate. Rogers, good to see you.
ROGERS HEALY, ROGERS HEALY AND ASSOCIATES REAL ESTATE: Good to see you.
BARTIROMO: Your take on housing right now, characterize the market for us.
Rogers: I mean, people have been waiting for the news that came out this morning, they've been waiting for a reason to make a move on either side of it. But I think we're fine. You know, I think people have been just looking for an excuse to do one thing or another, and I think we're about to see some activity.
BARTIROMO: Activity in what regard, though? Because we've just had the Federal Reserve this week, raise interest rates, mortgage rates have been ticking up. If mortgage rates continue moving up, doesn't that take the wind out of the strength that we've seen in housing?
HEALY: Either that or it creates a sense of urgency with the people who've just been waiting for a long time. And I record a point that it goes up, obviously, a different property or product they can afford. So I think that the buying market is about to increase significantly.
BARTIROMO: So talk to us about the most important metrics when you're looking at real estate right now. Take the Dallas area, for example, you know so well. What are you seeing?
HEALY: I mean, affordability is -- it's changing and in places that a first time home buyer that's a yuppie demographic that would normally purchase something close to urban core, they're probably going a little further and further away just because of the stuff that comes with purchasing something that's newer. You've got HOA dues, and you've got higher taxes. So I think it will be interesting to see what happens in the next, like, two to three months for people who have been saving that, obviously, like I said a quarter of a point makes a huge difference on what you can afford.
BARTIROMO: So, you think they've been saving for a house, they're afraid that mortgage rates are going to take off on them, so maybe they'll flood the market now?
Rogers: I mean, either flood it or keep it safe. And I think a lot of people, too, some of the people don't really consider. There's a lot of places that a first time home buyers could be purchasing. Our places that empty nesters are ready to sell. And empty nesters are probably going to get different kind of shift towards the urban core. Those are people that tend to have, you know, larger cash savings, so they can afford the stuff that entry level buyers necessarily can't. So there's going to be an interesting flip-flop I think in a place like Dallas.
BARTIROMO: It's interesting because you're talking about younger people wanting to go to cities, right? Everybody is moving toward urban areas.
HEALY: Right, yeah. But then, again, I mean it's affordability factor and I think something that people don't really talk about with purchasing of property, is the fact that the rental market is also increasing. And as a price for square foot renting continue to increase, something is going to eventually trump one or the other as far as what's really is concerned.
BARTIROMO: So renting is going higher, buying is going higher, is that pushing people out of the market? I mean, can you afford to buy a home right now.
HEALY: I think it's pushing people out of the market, they thought they're going to be at. And I think that as this continues, places like Dallas, places like Chicago, places, you know, like Los Angeles they're going to be further and further away from where they thought they're going to be, even if they want to rent, because rental rates, too. I mean there's $2 a foot for something is game changing money, and people rather go rent for $1.50 and be 15 minutes away.
BARTIROMO: So is it too expensive for me to buy right now, or should I be selling? Is it a sellers-market or buyers markets.
HEALY: It's relative to the city, obviously. And if you read stuff like Seattle, San Francisco, Miami, places in Denver, that have had incredible last 3 or 4 years. You see people kind of start to freak out because their markets are expected to take a shift. So after maybe it's about to be a buyers-market. But depending on where you are and the time of the year, you know, people can make an educated decision.
BARTIROMO: All right, Rogers. Good to see you, thanks so much for your insight.
HEALY: Thank you for having me.
BARTIROMO: Rogers Healy right there. Coming up, final thoughts from our all-star panel. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARTIROMO: Welcome back. We're getting final thoughts from our all-star panel right now. And we're with Don Peebles today. Earlier in the show, I asked Don a question, if he was actually going to run to become New York City mayor, and if he were to do that what would be your sales pitch to do that? What are you going to do for New York?
PEEBLES: My big idea -- you asked for one big idea. You know, I'd make New York City the best place in the world to do business. This would be the land of business opportunity for all. It would include everybody in the success of New York's business community, so it would be become the mecca for minority, and women-owned businesses, and entrepreneurs. You know, we would provide a summer youth employment and internship program paid for by the private sector, guaranteeing all New Yorkers between the ages of 15 to 19, a paid summer job and an apprentice program, and that apprentice program for example, could go and feed the demand for workers in the building, and trades industries that right now have an extreme shortage.
BARTIROMO: Sign me up. Dagen, I think he's running.
DAGEN MCDOWELL, FOX BUSINESS NETWORK: Oh, he's so running. And by the way, how lucky am I that I get to work with you.
BARTIROMO: And how lucky am I, right back at you. Thank you for that. Don Peebles, good to see you, we'll be watching when you announce you're running for mayor. That will do it for us. Have a great weekend everybody. I'll see you Sunday. Here's Stuart Varney.
END
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(Show: MORNINGS WITH MARIA) (Date: December 16, 2016) (Time: 07:00:00) (Tran: 121602cb.231) (Type: SHOW) (Head: Trump Team Shapes Up; Conflict of Interest?; Roof Guilty in Shootings; Outlook for Oil) (Sect: News; Domestic)
(Byline: Maria Bartiromo, Dagen McDowell, Charlie Hurt, Rachel Campos- Duffy, Cheryl Casone)
(Guest: Lee Carter, Don Peebles, Tom Kloza, Catherine Pelosi, George Chrisafis, Billy Gibbons )
(Spec: Politics; Government; Business; Justice; Energy; Aviation)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARIA BARTIROMO, FBN HOST: Good Friday morning everybody. Welcome back. Thank you so much for joining us. I'm Maria Bartiromo and it is Friday, December 16.
Your top stories right now at 7:00 a.m. on the East Coast.
The thank-you tour continues. President-Elect Donald Trump stopping in Pennsylvania yesterday as he celebrates his election win across the country. Trump highlighting bringing jobs back to the country during his speech.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), U.S. PRESIDENT-ELECT: For years the jobs and wealth have been ripped out of your safe and ripped out of our country like we were a bunch of babies.
And our politicians stood by and did absolutely nothing. And that is now all about to end. And it's going to end quickly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BARTIROMO: The very latest as more high profile names descend on Trump Tower today.
South Carolina church shooter Dylann Roof found guilty on all charges. The details as the trial now moves on to the sentencing phase.
Cold weather could put a freeze on your holiday travel plans. The frigid temperatures slamming the U.S.
And another concern for the holiday travel season, gasoline prices. The pain at the pump that could cut into your Christmas spending.
Yahoo's massive hack could cost the company more than bad press. Why the developments reportedly have Verizon rethinking its takeover.
And the markets -- oh, we are so close but no cigar. In fact, the Dow Jones Industrial average are right now up and expected to be up at the opening of trading. The market did not hit the 20,000 mark yet yesterday. In fact we came oh so close.
Dagen -- that intraday high you told me was 19,951.
DAGEN MCDOWELL, FBN HOST: Yes. On the Dow yesterday.
BARTIROMO: On the Dow Jones Industrial average -- so we were very close to Dow 20,000 but in fact never actually hit it. But we are waiting and we're watching. We'll see if it happens today. Dow Industrials looking higher.
In Europe stocks are higher as well this morning -- up about half a percent to two-thirds of a percent right now in Europe.
In Asia overnight markets were mixed. The Japanese market was the best performer. The Nikkei up two thirds of one percent.
It is the price tag making this sweater even uglier. Imagine what it will cost you to be the center of attention at your next holiday party. We're talking ugly Christmas sweaters once again this morning.
All that coming up this morning. And joining me to talk about it Fox Business Network's Dagen McDowell; Peebles Corporation founder, chairman and CEO Don Peebles is with us; and pollster Lee Carter is here.
Great to see you.
LEE CARTER, POLLSTER: Great to be here.
DON PEEBLES, PEEBLES CORPORATION: Great to be here.
BARTIROMO: Yes. So close but no cigar.
CARTER: $30,000 sweater --
BARTIROMO: Yes. Ugly sweater.
CARTER: Dollars --
MCDOWELL: Diamonds.
BARTIROMO: How come that sweater is so expensive? Because it has diamonds in it?
MCDOWELL: It must have some sort of like precious jewels included.
PEEBLES: No --
(CROSSTALK)
CARTER: If I want to spend that money on precious jewels, they're not going to be on an ugly sweater. That's --
PEEBLES: I have to ask my wife. She is a fashion guru so she should know.
BARTIROMO: So she probably doesn't wear ugly Christmas sweaters.
PEEBLES: No.
BARTIROMO: We had an ugly Christmas sweater party the other day here in the studio.
MCDOWELL: One of my favorite musicians of all time is coming up later with you. So I'm very excited about it.
BARTIROMO: That's right. We have big show ahead. We've got, first of all, California elector and daughter of the House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi coming in, Christine Pelosi is here. ZZ Top guitarist, legendary musician, a favorite of Dagen's, Billy Gibbons is here. Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy is with us. And the communications director for the DNC, Adam Hodge, is here as well.