May 9, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Despite holding elections over the weekend, no new government has formed in Greece. That's putting the future of its bailout in jeopardy. Here in the U.S., mortgage delinquencies are down. We look at how banks are faring adopting the mortgage settlement rules. The CEO of Charles Schwab discusses the mindset of today's investors. And unlimited data plans, unlimited airline miles, lifetime subscriptions -- is the all-you-can-eat model not a good one for companies?

Segments From this episode

Mid-day Update

PODCAST: An uncertain future for Greece, Post Office keeps rural posts open

by Daryl Paranada

May 9, 2012

Turmoil surrounds Greece as the nation remains without a new government. Profits are up at Disney, Toyota, and Macy's. In housing news, mortgage delinquencies are down. We take a look at how banks are adopting the mortgage settlement rules. The Post Office holds back on more closures. And do you like the all-you-can-eat business model? Well, David Lazarus of the L.A. Times says those plans aren't really good for business.

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BBC World Service

Portugal cuts four public holidays to trim budget

by Marketplace Contributor

May 9, 2012

The Portuguese government announced plans to abolish four national holiday to help ease that country's debt crisis.

Post Office decides to keep small posts running

by Stacey Vanek Smith

May 9, 2012

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe discusses why the Post Office decided to change a plan to shut down hundreds of rural post offices, the new plan he's proposing, and how much money it will save.

Postmaster General and U.S. Postal Service CEO Patrick Donahoe announces a new plan to keep the nation's smallest post offices open despite ongoing budget troubles in Washington, D.C.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Mid-day Update

Study: More consumers using public spaces as work spaces

by Jeremy Hobson and Stacey Vanek Smith

May 9, 2012

Have you gone to a cafe and found there are no seats left because people are using tables as their work spaces? We speak with Merlyn Griffiths from UNC Greensboro about a study she conducted on this phenomenon.

Frederick J. Brown/Getty Images

Greek Debt Crisis

Markets worry as Greece struggles to form government

by Stephen Beard

May 9, 2012

Once again investors are focusing on Greece as the nation tries to form a coalition government. It looks like more turmoil is on the horizon.

Consumers still spending despite economic worries

by Jeremy Hobson

May 9, 2012

Kate Warne, investment strategist at Edward Jones, discusses why profits are up at Macy's given all the things weighing on consumers, and the latest earnings from Toyota and Disney.

Are more investors staying on the sidelines?

by Stacey Vanek Smith

May 9, 2012

Charles Schwab CEO Walt Bettinger discusses how the investors mindset has fundamentally shifted since the financial crisis and whether investors should be worried about Europe.

Joe Raedle/Newsmakers

Mortgage delinquencies down

by Mitchell Hartman

May 9, 2012

Credit reporting agency TransUnion says the percentage of people behind on their mortgages is down to its lowest level since 2009.

N.C. gay marriage ban: Bad for business?

by Mitchell Hartman

May 9, 2012

Some North Carolina business owners worry the marriage amendment will be costly.

Banks try to adopt mortgage settlement rules

by John Dimsdale

May 9, 2012

The big 49-state deal on mortgages was supposed to help clear the foreclosure backlog. So how are the banks faring now?

Greek Debt Crisis

No new government yet for Greece puts future in doubt

by Jeremy Hobson

May 9, 2012

Though Greece held elections over the weekend, a new government hasn't formed. Nick Malkoutzis with the Greek newspaper Kathimerini discusses the uncertainty surrounding the nation.

Is the all-you-can-eat model ever a good idea?

by Marketplace Contributor

May 9, 2012

Unlimited data plans, unlimited airline miles, all-you-can eat buffets -- looking at the logic (or lack of) behind companies that launch all-you-can-eat plans.

Despite holding elections over the weekend, no new government has formed in Greece. That’s putting the future of its bailout in jeopardy. Here in the U.S., mortgage delinquencies are down. We look at how banks are faring adopting the mortgage settlement rules. The CEO of Charles Schwab discusses the mindset of today’s investors. And unlimited data plans, unlimited airline miles, lifetime subscriptions — is the all-you-can-eat model not a good one for companies?