President Bush says he's willing to consider Democrats' proposals for saving Social Security — including tax increases. Commentator Steve Moore thinks that if that idea becomes reality, the party's over.
Toyota announced it's planning to build 9.42 million cars in 2007, enough to make it the biggest automaker in the world. So we turn to the question: Is bigger really better? Alisa Roth reports.
U.S. hub-and-spoke specialist Mesa Airlines is cashing in on the business world's Holy Grail — China — in a deal with Shenzhen Airlines. Steve Tripoli explains why both sides want this to work.
One of the regions hit hardest by the 2004 tsunami was the Sumatran territory of Aceh. The economy now depends on reconstruction. But people are starting to think about what to do as that effort ends. Jocelyn Ford reports.
Reporter Nate DiMeo takes us back to the early 1920s when radio first found a mass audience, and a few powerful corporate players used music to take control of a brand new American industry. Part of an American RadioWorks documentary.
Two media giants are swapping valuable properties. Newscorp's turning over DirecTV and other goodies to Liberty Media, while Liberty's giving up its 20 percent of Newscorp voting stock. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
At Marketplace we get a lot of boxes and baskets this time of year full of chocolates, popcorn, candy and the like. We can't complain, but we started to wonder how much it all costs.
Shell finally caved yesterday and agreed to sell its controlling stake in a Russian oil and gas project to the state-run oil company Gazprom. Now the Kremlin is turning up the heat on BP. Stephen Beard reports.
The U.S. patent office had a record-breaking 2006. It approved the lowest number of patents in recorded history — and the number could continue to shrink. Janet Babin explains.
Holiday shoppers are turning to the convenience of the Internet for their gift-buying needs this season. Online sales are up 25% over last year, Hillary Wicai reports.
As Tiger Woods continues to rake in huge endorsement deals, business of sports commentator Diana Nyad says that's good for Tiger, but Tiger isn't necessarily good for golf.
The Phoenix-based regional carrier Mesa airlines is going into business with the China's Shenzhen Airlines in a deal that should benefit both sides. And just in time for the Beijing Olympics in '08.
Census Bureau figures out today show that Arizona has surpassed Nevada as the fastest-growing state — but some say it would benefit from an even greater population boom. Annie Baxter reports.
Last year Sony BMG admitted to loading its CDs with spyware that infected users' computers. This year it announced it will pay $4.25 million to settle lawsuits with 39 states.
CEO Bob Iger is putting Tinkerbell in the limelight with a makeover — and a voice. How does Mickey Mouse feel about all this? The Marketplace Players wondered, too.
U.S. workers may be protected against discrimination based on appearance, but in Mexico businesses openly hire and fire on the basis of such things as age and appearance. Jordana Gustafson reports.
Santa knows what you want, now he's gotta get it to you. But how does he fill up that sleigh? Rachael Myrow explores the final shipping push before toys make it to their final destination.
A British government report says robots could soon be such an important part of the world's economy that they might require political rights. Stephen Beard reports from London.
The PGA hopes its new FedEx Cup will bring season-long fan interest to its golf tour, much like Nascar has enjoyed. Business-of-sports analyst Ed Derse tees off on the idea with host Tess Vigeland.
Russian oil company Gazprom will buy half of the world's largest liquefied natural gas project from Shell and two other investors. As Amy Scott reports, Shell didn't have much choice in the matter.
Two rival shareholders are competing to lift auto-parts maker Delphi from bankruptcy. The company may also emerge with a new focus. Alisa Roth reports.
A recent study says bonuses are more effective at motivating people than merit raises. Commentator Adam Hanft says that since that's the case, businesses should award them all the time, not just once a year.
IBM is following the lead of companies that are trying to make corporate compensation more transparent by cutting off stock options to it board of directors. Hillary Wicai reports.
For the first time in five years, the U.S. airline industry expects to be profitable. This week's holiday travel is just icing on the cake, Dan Grech reports.
Or at least they could one day soon, say researchers who've been studying possible scenarios for the next 50 years. They conclude robots might play a major role in the global economy. Stephen Beard has details.
From on-court brawls to felony burglary, some professional athletes continue to behave in a less-than-professional manner. Will player misconduct hurt NBA and NFL bottom lines?
A revamped trade law means auto parts and jewelry imported from developing countries may now be taxed. But India might be willing to reduce its own tariffs to keep duty-free benefits in the U.S. Miranda Kennedy explains.
A new law is being drafted in Iraq that puts its central government in charge of oil revenues — but it's happening under intense pressure from parties who don't necessarily have Iraq's best interests in mind.
A new study shows that women have made big gains in the workplace over the past five years — until you compare their paychecks with men's. Hillary Wicai reports.
A new law makes turning in income tax cheaters far more profitable, earning informants up to 30 percent of what the IRS recovers. Tax experts think it's a win-win solution, Steve Tripoli reports.
President Bush signed a big tax and trade bill today. Part of it made blowing the whistle on tax cheats far more profitable. Easier too. Steve Tripoli has the story.
A new area of anti-discrimination cases has arisen suddenly, and employers and their attorneys are looking for ways to understand the law and train their managers. Hillary Wicai reports.
Commentator Newt Gingrich says that six years into the battle against radical Islamists and brutal dictators we're still funding the effort as if we were in peacetime.
VaxGen fails to meet deadlines and loses $900 million deal with the U.S. And, it's not just the vaccine that's in trouble but the whole bio-defense program it's part of, Project Bioshield. Helen Palmer reports.
President Bush has suggested increasing the numbers of active-duty troops in the military. We take a look at what that might cost. Kai Ryssdal talks with defense expert Gordon Adams.
Regulators accuse the investment banker of withholding e-mails from clients who brought complaints against the firm. But it's the company's excuse that's really got people mad. Amy Scott reports.
Janitors in London took to the streets recently to protest the multimillion dollar bonuses top execs are taking home from the buildings they clean. Don MacGillivray has the story.
Starting a business is challenging under any circumstances, but try doing it amid deep poverty and a lack of know-how. Some folks on Indian reservations are — and they're succeeding. Steve Tripoli has the story.
Shareholders of the New York Stock Exchange vote today on a merger with Euronext. If approved, the merger will create the first transatlantic exchange. Steve Tripoli looks at how it will affect investors.
It's been almost two years since the Asian tsunami killed over 200,000 people and left another half million homeless. But the UN says only half the aid money pledged has reached the devastated region. Stephen Beard reports.
Renewable energy investment worldwide could hit $100 billion in 2006. That's great for the industry, but watch out for market corrections on the horizon. Sam Eaton reports.
A new study predicts that one in five Americans with subprime mortgages, about two million of them, could face losing their home to foreclosure. Dan Grech reports.
Delta Airlines is expected to get the go-ahead to end its pilot pension plan today. But only yesterday, its pilots rallied in support of their employer. Curt Nickisch explains.
Americans are expected to give a collective record $200 billion in charitable donations this year. But commentator Robert Reich says we need to limit tax deductions for donations to real charities.
We've all heard of rotating rooftop bars, but officials in Dubai have announced plans for an entire building that rotates — powered by the sun. Janet Babin reports.
The online auctioneer's scrapping its Beijing brand and throwing in with a Chinese company. Lisa Napoli looks at why American high tech giants are getting lost in translation.
Rock bands — including some members of Led Zeppelin, The Doors and The Grateful Dead — are suing to shut down website. They claim its streaming of old concerts and selling of memorabilia is an illegal combination.
Housing starts were up for November, after a decline the previous month. Some of the biggest home builders now see the housing market stablilizing. But it all might add up to a big lump of coal. Sarah Gardner reports.
Foreign investors bailed out of Southeast Asian markets today after the Thai government put sharp limits on overseas investment. Bangkok's already overturned part of that law, but the damage might already be done. Alisa Roth reports.
Commentator Matt Miller says that to get business' attention on health-care and pension issues, the Democratic Congress should require separate income statements that show what earnings would be if companies had average-aged workers.
Franchises rake in $1 trillion in retail spending a year. One out of 16 Americans works in one. Franchise owners get name recognition and marketing clout from the home office. And that's not all. Steve Tripoli reports.
There's been plenty of talk about big airline mergers and takeovers lately — so why aren't legacy carriers going after the smaller, money-making airlines? Jason Paur reports.
Analysts are expecting positive numbers when the government releases November housing starts and wholesale prices today, but the good news may be temporary. Sarah Gardner reports.
The FCC decides tomorrow whether to make it easier for phone companies to enter local cable markets. Increased competition would likely drop prices for consumers, but public access channels could suffer. Sam Eaton reports.
U.S. producer prices soared 2 percent in November — the biggest gain in more than 30 years. But we shouldn't jump to conclusions, says analyst Dana Soporta.
Congress has reinstated billions of dollars in expiring tax breaks for 2006 — but it was too late to get the changes onto 2006 tax forms. Charla Bear reports.
The EU has altered its new carbon emission restrictions to affect only flights within Europe — at least initially. But as U.S. airlines could be missing out. Stephen Beard explains.
The merger has one regulatory hurdle left: FCC approval. Late yesterday that hurdle got higher when FCC member Robert McDowell decided to abstain because he used to work as a telecom lobbyist. Dan Grech reports.
Berlin's opera house was packed last night for the long-awaited "Idomeneo." It was canceled in September after threats from Islamic fundamentalists, but all the extra publicity could help bring back some much-needed funding, Ethan Lindsey reports.
As VHS tapes and VCRs head the way of Betamax and phonographs, commentator Bill Hammack warns that the right to fair use is in danger of disappearing right along with them.
Stocks on the Thai exchange sank almost 20 percent after the Bank of Thailand instituted changes that effectively stopped the flow of foreign money into the market there.
The proposed deal would unite the country's second- and third-largest pharmacy benefit managers. But some say the offer from Express Scripts could make regulators nervous.
The Bush administration today recalculated what price Medicaid pays pharmacies for prescription drugs. The measure could put a squeeze on small retail pharmacies. Dan Grech reports.
The holiday season is a popular time for Americans to pick up Bibles. Daniel Radosh talks with Kai Ryssdal about how the all-time best-seller just keeps selling.
The forest greens business is the half-billion-dollar industry that brings you that Christmas wreath on your door. And its roots are in a largely underground economy. Sam Eaton reports.
The distance that separates China and the U.S. might soon feel a bit shorter. Verizon and some partners are planning a new undersea fiber optic cable connection. Janet Babin has more.
A new wave of merger and acquisition announcements has been going on for months now, from biotech firms to auto parts makers. Steve Tripoli reports the shopping spree might go right past Christmas.
Philip Morris is raising the price of its cigarettes by 10 cents a pack starting today. Steve Tripoli tells us how this one got passed on to consumers.
Shoppers are rushing to get those last-minute gifts delivered and thanks to the Internet, a record number of packages will be shipped this week. At FedEx, everyone's pitching in to meet demand. Tanya Ott explains.
Many Spanish-speaking Latin Americans looking for a better life are choosing skip the U.S. — and emigrate to Spain instead. Jerome Socolovsky has the story from Madrid.
Host Scott Jagow asked Newsweek Wall Street editor Allan Sloan to predict whether we're headed for recession in '07, but it turns out that all depends whose definition you're using.
Westinghouse was awarded the right to build four nuclear reactors in China. It's an interesting decision on the heels of the American trade delegation's visit — and a huge blow to France and Russia.
Congress is showing signs of a willingness to take a fresh look at the 44-year U.S. trade embargo with Cuba. And with Fidel's health failing, Cuban American exiles are open to policy change too, Dan Grech reports.
Private companies aren't the only ones putting pressure on drugmakers to lower prescription prices. This morning the Bush administration will offer its own proposal. Dan Grech reports.
Everyone's in a buying mood this holiday season. Private equity firms have been on a record buying spree this year and they showed no sign of slowing over the weekend.
