Dec 4, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A new paper out claims that high frequency trading -- stock trades executed by computers at very high speeds -- may be taking money away from traditional investors. As 200 countries meet in Doha this week for the latest round of United Nations' climate change talks, new sources of fossil fuel are stirring up the climate change conversation. And politicians across the Midwest are pressing the President to declare a state of emergency on the Mississippi River in order to allow barge traffic to keep flowing. An epic shortage of water in the Mississippi has put major pressure on everything from food items, to electricity.

Segments From this episode

At U.N. climate meeting, a focus on fossil fuels

by Eve Troeh

Dec 3, 2012

New sources of fossil fuels are stirring up the United Nations climate talks in Doha.

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NHL owners and players try to bridge differences

by Jeff Tyler

Dec 3, 2012

Representatives of the National Hockey League and players are trying to settle a dispute over their respective share of the game's revenues. The dispute has already led to cancellation of about a third of the season.

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British ash trees threatened by fungus from Denmark

by Stephen Beard

Dec 4, 2012

The disease could wipe out a third of Britain's forest, and landowners and tree growers could lose tens of millions.

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Study finds small investors losing out to computers

by Marketplace Contributor

Dec 4, 2012

A new report finds high-frequency traders are profiting at the expense of the little guy.

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Efforts to keep barge traffic flowing on drought-affected Mississippi River

by Adam Allington

Dec 4, 2012

Every year roughly $180 billion worth of freight makes its way up and down the Mississippi River. An epic shortage of water on the nation's major inland waterways is expected to put upward pressure on everything from food items, to electricity.

A buoy used to help guide barges rests on the bank after the water level dropped on the Mississippi River July 18, 2012 near Wyatt, Missouri.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

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BBC World Service

SEC charges big accounting firms over audits in China

by Marketplace Contributor

Dec 4, 2012

SEC investigates potential accounting fraud against U.S. investors involving Chinese firms publicly traded in U.S.

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Looking back at the data for November

by Marketplace Contributor

Dec 4, 2012

In terms of economic data, November is now one for the books, and it felt like a good opportunity to step back from these numbers we bring you from day to day -- see what it all adds up to.

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Giant solar panel plant planned in Ghana

by Jeff Horwich

Dec 4, 2012

Today the British company "Blue Energy" unveiled plans for the largest solar power plant in Africa -- and one of the largest in the world.

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Mid-day Update

PODCAST: High frequency trading, shooting film faster

by Jeff Horwich

Dec 4, 2012

Are high speed computer traders costing you, me, mom and pop investor -- money? Also: is a renewable energy boom on the way in Africa. And the new movie technology being rolled out next week with the hobbit -- why you might love or hate it.

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First predictions for 'The Hobbit' at the box office

by Jeff Horwich

Dec 4, 2012

When 'The Hobbit' comes out next Friday, it'll be the first major outing for a new movie technology. It's the first major studio movie to be shot at 48 frames per second.

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A new paper out claims that high frequency trading — stock trades executed by computers at very high speeds — may be taking money away from traditional investors. As 200 countries meet in Doha this week for the latest round of United Nations’ climate change talks, new sources of fossil fuel are stirring up the climate change conversation. And politicians across the Midwest are pressing the President to declare a state of emergency on the Mississippi River in order to allow barge traffic to keep flowing. An epic shortage of water in the Mississippi has put major pressure on everything from food items, to electricity.