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Lender of last resort
David Brancaccio Dec 21, 2011
The ECB offers a historic $639 billion to 500 European banks.
The feel good factor
David Brancaccio Dec 21, 2011
A surprisingly successful Spanish bond sale and news of an increase in new home construction spurred markets to rally today.
What is a junk bond?
Paddy Hirsch Dec 16, 2011
Junk. Not a nice word. And when it comes to bonds, not a particularly accurate word, either. Junk is something useless, right? Well, "junk" bonds are definitely not useless. In fact they're extremely useful. Sometimes. Marketplace Senior Producer Paddy Hirsch explains what a junk bond really is.
Thinking about tax-exempt bonds
Chris Farrell Dec 16, 2011
My wife and I are in our early 60s, with a son in college. We have Roths and 401(k)s. I will get a pension from the state of North Carolina when I retire in a few years -- not so for my wife. What I need to know is: Is there a reason not to put so much of our savings in munis? (I would take the money out of some of our mutual funds.) I would not get munis from states with problematic economies; I would most likely get them from N.C. Also, what is the best way to purchase tax-free munis? Thanks! Stephen, Durham, NC
Checking in on the Bond Market
David Brancaccio Jan 11, 2012
Lots of not-so-terrible news was enough to put markets in positive territory today, but not by much. It gives us a chance to take a step back and talk about something different. Bonds.
Markets had European debt drama 'baked in'
Andrew Walker Dec 9, 2011
European countries agree to a deal on balanced budgets and debt reduction. A unanimous vote wasn't reached, but the BBC's Andrew Walker says investors already had limited expectations.
Ex-Bank of England member: Central bank action an ominous sign
Stacey Vanek Smith Dec 9, 2011
Markets breathed a sigh of relief last week as central banks around the world agreed to joint action to fight the European debt crisis. But according to someone on the front lines in 2008, this could mean things are worse than we know.
ECB drops interest rates to 1 %
Stacey Vanek Smith Dec 8, 2011
Economist Adolfo Laurenti discusses the rate cut and the role of the European Central Bank in Europe's future.
All I want from for Christmas? A bazooka, please
David Brancaccio Dec 8, 2011
Markets today were like a huffy kid who stomps off because Santa only brought him two out of the three of the gifts on his list. Santa is the European Central Bank.
Why does the EU want U.S. dollars?
Paddy Hirsch Dec 2, 2011
Marketplace Money Senior Producer Paddy Hirsch explains why Europe needs dollars instead of euros as the EU tries to sort out its financial problems.
