U.S. stock market futures pointed to a slightly higher open for Wall Street as many investors were still away and with thin trading in Europe and Asia.

To help investors get their portfolios ready for 2009, CNBC asked the market pros for their best stock and sector picks now.

With stocks lower because of dismal housing data Tuesday, the pros on CNBC pointed out opportunities for investors.

As the markets followed a slow, steady, downward trajectory on Monday, CNBC asked the pros to point out the bright spots on their investor radar.

To give investors an edge, CNBC asked the pros for their best stock picks now.

To give investors an edge, CNBC asked the market pros for their best stock and sector picks now.

To give investors an edge, CNBC asked the pros to share their best stock and sector picks.

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox has asked the agency's inspector general to investigate the SEC's conduct with regard to the alleged Ponzi-scheme linked to money manager Bernard Madoff, CNBC has learned.

The list of investors who say they were duped in one of Wall Street's biggest Ponzi schemes includes some of the world's biggest banks and hedge funds, the super rich and the famous.

Stocks closed lower amid worries about bank earnings and weak consumer spending on tech.

U.S. stock index futures were mixed as contradictory information on a bailout package for troubled automakers were making investors nervous.

HSBC, Nomura Holdings, Santander and BNP Paribas are the latest banks to  announce their exposure to an investment fund run by Bernard Madoff, the U.S. investor accused of running a $50 billion "Ponzi" scheme.

Bernard Madoff said he only had about 25 clients but the list of potential victims of what prosecutors say was a $50 billion Ponzi scheme may actually be in the hundreds—or thousands.

Bernard Madoff said he only had about 25 clients but the list of potential victims of what prosecutors say was a $50 billion Ponzi scheme may actually be in the hundreds—or thousands.

Authorities are trying to figure out how Bernard Madoff allegedly confounded the financial world for decades with a $50 billion scam.