❗Help close the gap: We still need to raise $40,000 by the end of March. Donate now
Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Dec 26, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, December 26, 2012

HTML EMBED:
COPY

Retailers hope shoppers spend some money this week as the holiday season has, so far, fallen short of expectations. A number of smaller issues are tied up in the fiscal cliff debate, and among them is a tax credit for wind power. If it expires at the end of the year, the budding industry might go bust. And, the unusual history of the borrowing limit that keeps coming back to haunt our politics.

Segments From this episode

Wind power races to meet a year-end cut-off

Dec 26, 2012
A tax credit expires at the end of December. To earn it, wind farm operators have to have their turbines up, running and plugged in.

The history of the debt ceiling

Dec 26, 2012
History reveals a controversial task for the debt limit that goes all the way back to World War I.

Medical device makers try to stave off new tax

Dec 26, 2012
Medical device makers say the 2.3 percent tax on sales due to start in January will cost jobs. The levy is part of the Obama health care program.

Indonesia aims for universal healthcare

Dec 26, 2012
Beginning in January 2014, the Indonesian government will roll out a national health care scheme to cover each and every one of its 240 million citizens.

China opens game-changing bullet train

Dec 26, 2012
The world's longest high speed rail link opens in China.

Holiday sales grow at weakest pace since 2008

Dec 26, 2012
Hurricane Sandy, the threat of the fiscal cliff, and the election may have all contributed to a disappointing holiday shopping season.

U.S. may expand mortgage refinance program

Dec 26, 2012
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Obama administration is eying new relief for underwater homeowners. Who stands to gain from the program?

PODCAST: Starbucks takes on the fiscal cliff, will Obama re-up refi?

Dec 26, 2012
Twas the day after Christmas, and a big credit card company says we were not spending enough -- go figure. Plus a plan to help more folks who are underwater on their mortgages. And a single-payer healthcare system is on its way to Indonesia.

Retailers hope shoppers spend some money this week as the holiday season has, so far, fallen short of expectations. A number of smaller issues are tied up in the fiscal cliff debate, and among them is a tax credit for wind power. If it expires at the end of the year, the budding industry might go bust. And, the unusual history of the borrowing limit that keeps coming back to haunt our politics.