A daily morning look at the financial stories you need to know to start the day
STOCKS/ECONOMY
-Stock futures are slightly higher ahead of lots of economic data coming out this morning, including personal income and spending and consumer confidence.
-The May jobs report due out Friday morning is expected to tip the scales one way or the other for a June Fed rate hike.
-It looks like India will remain the world's fastest growing economy so far this year.
OIL/ENERGY
-Crude prices are flat and holding below the $50/barrel level.
-Gasoline prices are holding at $2.32/gallon, national average.
ELECTION
-At the annual Rolling Thunder Memorial Day event in Washington, DC, Donald Trump got the crowd excited when he said that illegal immigrants are treated better than veterans in this country.
-Good sign for Trump? American flag sales are soaring.
-Hillary Clinton is boosting the number of her appearances in California to avoid a big upset loss in that state's June 7th primary.
-The big spike in many Obamacare premiums is hurting Hillary Clinton's campaign.
-The US Chamber of Commerce is starting a big fundraising push to keep the GOP in control of the Senate.
MOVING AMERICA
-Top transportation experts say the TSA's incompetence is the reason for the longer lines at US airports.
-Emissions scandal-plagued Volkswagen posted a surprise increase in profits for the first quarter.
DEFENSE
-North Korea has carried out another ballistic missile test, but it failed.
-Iraqi troops have started their ground assault into Fallujah vs. ISIS.
-Boeing will miss a major deadline to have 18 of its new KC-46 air tankers delivered to the US Air Force by next year.
DEALS/NO DEALS
-Bayer says it's prepared to up its $62 billion offer for Monsanto.
-Utility company Great Plains is buying fellow utility company Westar for $8.6 billion.
-Jazz Pharmaceuticals is buying Celator for $1.5 billion. Jazz wants Celator's promising leukemia drug.
RETAIL PROMISES
-Human rights groups say top US retailers like Gap and H&M have not made good on their promises to significantly improve the working conditions at their overseas suppliers.