Oil prices dropped below $67 a barrel today, a long way from the recent high prices that approached $80. But despite falling prices, stock markets have barely reacted. Rachel Dornhelm reports.
A bill in Congress is being seen as a giant step toward securing U.S. borders. It's also an ambitious project that will not be easy to finance. Hillary Wicai reports.
Federated is renaming almost all of its department stores Macy's this weekend. Protests are planned in some cities. And commentator Gail Heriot says the renaming of Marshall Field's, in particular, is a bad idea.
In the five years since the Sept. 11 attacks, access to personal data has changed dramatically. Host Kai Ryssdal and guests look at the implications of this shift for businesses and consumers. . . . And, Annie Baxter reports that new government data gathering regulations are shaking out some of the banking industry's smallest players.
Hewlett-Packard Chairwoman Patricia Dunn's job may be on the line at a board meeting this weekend, amid allegations that HP hired private investigators to investigate board members. Amy Scott reports.
It's time once again for economics editor Chris Farrell to help you sort out what's smart, what's stupid and what's the Straight Story. This week, Election Day is just around the corner. Chris has some questions he wants answered before any candidate gets his vote.
Life is hard enough without having to decipher everything. Each week, Marketplace Money brings you a word or a phrase that has bubbled to the top of the news. For instance – "Pretexting." You hear it, you see it, but do you really know it?
Our economics editor Chris Farrell answers your burning money questions. This week, advice on: collecting Social Security, consolidating student loans, and accessing a credit report.
Hedge funds aren't for the rich anymore; average investors are putting cash into these risky ventures. But it's been hard to know just *how* risky hedge funds actually are… until now. Kai talks with Forbes' Paul Maidment.
Everyone wants to impress their boss. Our own Jane Lindholm takes us on her journey to score brownie points. No ticket needed. But you might want to power up your computer.
The new pension bill gives employers the power to automatically enroll workers in 401(k) plans. That means employees need to be more pro-active. Ross Levin is the President of Accredited Investors, Inc. He provides a checklist of what you need to know.
Foreclosures are up 40 percent nationwide this year. Buying discounted real estate is another way to get into the housing market. Be careful, though. Cheap property can carry hidden costs. Marketplace's Steve Tripoli reports.
The department store chain is converting venerated brands like Marshall Field's and Filene's to the Macy's nameplate on Saturday. And some customers are protesting. Rachel Dornhelm reports.
Mixed economic signals could give Federal Reserve Board members a headache when trying to decide what's next for interest rates. Sarah Gardner reports.
Crude oil prices fell in Asia earlier today. That followed reports showing strong U.S. gas inventories. The resumption of some oil production in Nigeria is also influencing the slide in prices. So what lies ahead for oil? Stephen Beard reports.
Random House is reimbursing frustrated readers who bought James Frey's faked memoir thinking it was a true story. But, as Ashley Milne-Tyte reports, getting a refund will be a little complicated.
Chief government accountant and Marketplace commentator David Walker says that Congress is losing the war on terror by allowing the military to purchase high-tech weapons that are designed for wars the U.S. will never fight.
The IRS is outsourcing the collection of back taxes to private debt collection firms because Congress didn't give it the requested staff to go after tax cheats. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
The top college football teams will play one more game this season. Business-of-sports analyst Diana Nyad tells host Kai Ryssdal that it's not for more competition, it's strictly for more money.
Now that India's economy is growing rapidly, its citizens who left for opportunities in the U.S. are returning with new ideas they learned abroad. Miranda Kennedy reports.
BAE, Britain's largest defense company, is selling its stake in the European plane manufacturer. It wants to make more acquisitions in the U.S.Stephen Beard reports.
The search is on today in India for 53 miners trapped after an explosion. Mine safety is a big problem, and India's fast-growing economy isn't helping. Miranda Kennedy reports.
The government plans to open a new bioterrorism detection lab in Livermore, Calif., and many nearby residents and businesses are worried. Shia Levitt reports.
Lawmakers are expected to vote on new spending for the War on Terrorism today. So how much have we spent so far? As Hillary Wicai reports, it's not an easy question to answer.
Before the rest of the summer is gone, Israelis are jump-starting tourism to their nation's northern border which came to a halt during the fighting. Hilary Krieger reports.
Productivity and wage numbers out today suggest that inflationary pressures are building, but commentator Robert Reich says if the Fed raises interest rates, the economy may go into recession.
Two Senate committees held hearings today on the options backdating scandal. Marketplace's Scott Tong tells host Kai Ryssdal that the practice may be history, but there's still plenty of trouble ahead for some companies.
An investigation has been launched into methods used by Hewlett-Packard to investigate its board members — like using their personal information to get the phone company to release call records. Amy Scott reports.
General Motors has increased the warranty on all of its 2007 passenger vehicles to five years and 100,000 miles in a move the automaker hopes will boost sales. Rachel Dornhelm reports.
Cities in India are booming but desperation in rural areas is growing. In the state of Maharastra, over 600 farmers have committed suicide this year so far. Miranda Kennedy reports from New Delhi.
Today lawmakers wade into the stock options backdating scandal. The Senate has scheduled hearings in the bank and finance committees where the top question is likely to be, what happens next? Scott Tong reports.
The social networking Web site is making waves in the music industry by allowing artists with MySpace pages to sell music on them. Janet Babin reports.
Tighter security since 9/11 has actually led to faster, more efficient trade, says the World Bank. Many ports around the world now operate more quickly than they did five years ago. Stephen Beard reports.
Global immigration is at its highest rate ever and about half of those migrants are women. A new report from the UN spotlights some of the economic magnets that lure them and the tradeoffs. Scott Tong reports.
British oil giant BP has appointed a former U.S. District Judge to act as a company ombudsman who will hear complaints from BP workers in Alaska and elsewhere. Stephen Beard reports.
Three oil companies today announced a major oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico. The deep-water well may be one of the biggest finds in recent years — and could boost U.S. oil and gas reserves by 50 percent. Sarah Gardner reports.
Coffee sales are so profitable that the java giants are thinking big. Dunkin' Donuts plans to triple its number of stores, stepping up the competition for a certain Seattle-based coffee specialist. Steve Tripoli has the story.
The automaker announced this afternoon that Bill Ford, Jr. — Henry's great-grandson — will step down from its top job. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Micheline Maynard of the New York Times about the development.
Millions of kids have gone off to college for the fall. As some of us face empty nests, all of us should face some empty promises about American higher education says author and commentator Beth Shulman.
A study out today says the much-maligned pension still has many benefits over 401k accounts. Turns out pensions have lower fees and better financial performance. Hillary Wicai reports.
More companies are raising money on Wall Street these days without telling investors what they plan to do with it. It's not illegal, but there's word today regulators are looking into the practice. Amy Scott reports.
Many developing — and some developed — nations have reputations for corruption. Turns out parking ticket data may serve as a good measure of just how corrupt. Undercover Economist Tim Harford explains.
Seems like you can buy a toy-like version or accessory for just about every product imaginable these days. Author and commentator Christopher Noxon ponders the consumer trend of toyification.
A study out today finds that medically obese infants and toddlers are five times more likely to be overweight when they reach puberty. And that could have a huge financial impact, Helen Palmer reports.
British oil giant BP has appointed a former US District Judge to act as a company ombudsman who will hear complaints from BP workers in Alaska and elsewhere. Stephen Beard reports.
Mexico's election court is expected to make a final decision today that conservative Felipe Calderon did win the presidency, but another legal battle looms: Businesses there are suing his opponent.
Lawmakers return to Washington this week after a long summer recess, and the clock is ticking on efforts to reach agreement on next year's budget. But don't expect much until after election season, Hillary Wicai reports.
The world's largest passenger jet, the Airbus A380, took off with a full load of passengers for the first time today — about 470 of its own employees. San Eaton reports.
The massive immigrant rights marches this past May Day — Labor Day in the rest of the world — just might signal the rebirth of organized labor in this country, says sociologist and commentator Ruth Milkman.
Hourly workers with children often struggle to balance job requirements and family needs. Putting family first can sometimes cost them a job. Businesses would be wise to change such policies, Hillary Wicai reports.
Pirates attacked over 250 ships off the coasts of Asia and Africa last year. Today an agreement goes into effect to try to combat the modern-day outlaws equipped with ship-tracking systems and machine guns. Miranda Kennedy reports.
A record number of motorists are expected to have hit the road this long Labor Day weekend. New airport restrictions and falling gas prices are helping fuel the increase, Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
A new study from the International Labor Organization warns that even though Asia is growing fast economically, it hasn't created enough quality jobs. Miranda Kennedy explains.
Just how is the average American working man or woman faring these days? Not great says a report from the Economic Policy Institute. Jane Lindholm has the details.
