Markets are cautious this morning before a speech today by Fed chair Janet Yellen in New York.  Investors will be looking for any possible clues as to the latest outlook on interest rate increases. (CNBC)
 
Consumer spending moved up 0.1% last month. Consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. Consumer spending was held back by a 0.7% drop in purchases of goods. Spending on services rose 0.4%. Personal income rose by 0.2%. (Commerce Department)
 
Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes rose sharply in February.  The pending home sales index rose 3.5% last month, the highest level in seven months. (National Association of Realtors)
 
Spice company McCormicks reported quarterly profits of $93.4 million. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The spices and seasonings company had sales of $1.03 billion in the period. McCormick shares have climbed 14% since the beginning of the year and has risen 28% in the last 12 months. (AP)
 
You scream, I scream and we will all scream at the price of ice cream as the cost of a key ingredient is climbing. The price of vanilla beans has surged in the last 12 weeks following a disappointing harvest in Madagascar. (CNBC)
 
Oil is down 75 cents at $38.64 a barrel.
 
Gold is down $1 at $1219 a Troy ounce.
 
With Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor I am Troy Reinhart.