Immigrants to the United States with unique or valuable skills are starting to complete the roundtrip. Economic pressures and a difficult job market here have led many to return to their native countries to pursue new opportunities. This is particularly the case with immigrants from India and China, whose economies are growing this year. Meanwhile, unemployment is 9.7% in the United States right now – and likely to hit 10.3% early next year.

China's gross domestic product is poised to increase by 7.5% by the end of 2009, with India's up 5.4%. In the United States, on the other hand, GDP is forecasted to drop 2.6%.

Stocks were a bit higher this morning in pre-market trading, but they didn't seem to have much conviction and were drifting lower as the bell approached. On the positive side, overseas markets were higher and news of Boeing's possible $1.7 billion purchase of Aviall was making things more exciting.

Plus, Wal-Mart's 6.8% jump in same-store sales, reported on Saturday, was boosting optimism that the consumer would hang tough as energy prices surge. At 8:30 a.m., the government reported higher personal income and consumer spending in March. Both came in higher than expected and a nice bump from February. This news should give investors added motivation to hang tough today, despite global concerns.

But oil prices were on the upswing this morning, topping $72 a barrel -- again. And confrontation over Iran's nuclear intentions was heating up. Meanwhile businesses were wondering how disruptive plans for an immigrant labor boycott today would be. Spiking gold prices -- now up to $662 -- were a sign that some investors are worrying about a falling dollar and global stability.

Here's a quick look at key Blogging Stocks this morning: Here's a quick look at key Blogging Stocks this morning:  

Apple (AAPL) is up 38 cents to $70.77 as of 8:30 a.m. A pessimistic Dow Jones story, "Apple's Been Bruised, But Will May Bring A Beating?," doesn't seem to be deterring investors who seem set to continue last week's rally in the stock price.

Google (GOOG) is up $1.68 to $419.62 as of 8:37 a.m. It is weighing in on Microsoft's antitrust battle over Internet Explorer.

Yahoo! (YHOO) is up 27 cents to $33.05 as of 8:36 a.m. Check out Yahoo! Tech, it's new site for computer and consumer electronics shoppers.

eBay (EBAY) is up 35 cents to $34.76 as of 8:37 a.m.

Stocks were a bit higher this morning in pre-market trading, but they didn't seem to have much conviction and were drifting lower as the bell approached. On the positive side, overseas markets were higher and news of Boeing's possible $1.7 billion purchase of Aviall was making things more exciting. Plus, Wal-Mart's 6.8% jump in same-store sales, reported on Saturday, was boosting optimism that the consumer would hang tough as energy prices surge.

But oil prices were on the upswing this morning, topping $72 a barrel -- again. And confrontation over Iran's nuclear intentions was heating up. Meanwhile businesses were wondering how disruptive plans for an immigrant labor boycott today would be. Spiking gold prices -- now up to $662 -- were a sign that some investors are worrying about a falling dollar and global stability.

Keep your eye on the consumer. The government will report personal income (expected to grow 0.4%) and consumer spending (expected to gain 0.2%) for March at 8:30 a.m. Those results would both be higher than we saw in February.

Here's a quick look at key Blogging Stocks this morning:  

Microsoft(MSFT): At 8:01 a.m. the stock is up 6 cents to $2.25 to $24.21. After last Friday's brutal 11.4% drop, Microsoft seems due for a bounce today. But so far it doesn't look like the traders are in a big rush to get back in.

Wal-Mart (WMT): At 8:04 a.m. the stock was already up 88 cents (1.95%) to $45.91 as investors rewarded the retailing giant for a 6.8% jump in same-store sales in April.

General Electric (GE): It last traded on Friday at 6:40 p.m. at  $34.57, 2 cents lower than its closing price that day. No early morning quote available. It had a hit at the box office this weekend as "RV," starring Robin Williams, took in $16.4 million, for the top box office spot.

Time Warner (TWX): It last traded on Friday at 7 p.m. at $17.40, even with its closing price that day.