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Marketplace for Friday April 18, 2014
Apr 18, 2014

Marketplace for Friday April 18, 2014

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With spring in full swing across the US, economists are looking forward to a busy home-buying season. One factor that might push people to buy – the high cost of renting compared to owning. Since the financial crisis, people who hold a mortgage have been spending less on housing than people who rent. But that’s beginning to change, as Adriene Hill reports. Plus, Gillette is said to be close to unveiling a new razor with a blade that rotates on a ball hinge, the latest innovation in the high-end battle for the dollars men spend on grooming. The thing looks like a Dyson vacuum cleaner, and it’s enough to make you wonder… how do Gillette and others go about convincing men that this is something they need to have? Then, the Obama administration announced $2.5 billion more in loan guarantees for solar energy. Despite the Solyndra failure (followed not long after by the failure of several Chinese solar companies), solar has grown into a big industry. We count the ways.

Segments From this episode

Got a favorite tree? Throw it a party

Apr 18, 2014
Marketplace Datebook for the week of April 21, 2014

Peak beard theory

Apr 18, 2014
Bearded men are about to have a close shave with the fashion police.

Russia's annexation of Crimea comes with a cost

Apr 18, 2014
The Russian government faces many costs including the bill for infrastructure upgrades, increased salaries and pensions for officials.

As beef and pork prices rise, demand tastes like chicken

Apr 18, 2014
Why it's a great time to be a chicken farmer.

The employment problem of prime-age men

Apr 18, 2014
Men age 25 to 54 have been disappearing from employment for decades. In the recession it got worse. Now it's getting a bit better.

Yellen's big speech number two

Apr 18, 2014
Kai talks with Felix Salmon from Reuters and Catherine Rampell of the Washinton Post about the week's biggest economic news.

It's cheaper to buy than rent, but the gap is closing

Apr 18, 2014
Since the financial crisis, people who hold a mortgage have spent less on housing than people who rent. So why don't more people buy?

Marketing to men with razors

Apr 18, 2014
Gillette is said to be close to unveiling a new razor with a blade that rotates on a ball hinge, the latest innovation in the high-end battle for the dollars men spend on grooming.

Solar grows, with government help

Apr 18, 2014
Despite some failures, solar is growing into a big industry.

With spring in full swing across the US, economists are looking forward to a busy home-buying season. One factor that might push people to buy – the high cost of renting compared to owning. Since the financial crisis, people who hold a mortgage have been spending less on housing than people who rent. But that’s beginning to change, as Adriene Hill reports. Plus, Gillette is said to be close to unveiling a new razor with a blade that rotates on a ball hinge, the latest innovation in the high-end battle for the dollars men spend on grooming. The thing looks like a Dyson vacuum cleaner, and it’s enough to make you wonder… how do Gillette and others go about convincing men that this is something they need to have? Then, the Obama administration announced $2.5 billion more in loan guarantees for solar energy. Despite the Solyndra failure (followed not long after by the failure of several Chinese solar companies), solar has grown into a big industry. We count the ways.

Music from the episode