Twenty years is the magic number when it comes to nostalgia, and that time's arrived for Generation X, whose members are now becoming parents with purchasing power. Caitlan Carroll reports on how the entertainment industry is getting in position.
President Bush travels from Saudi Arabia to Egypt on Saturday for meetings with Arab leaders. The economic fortunes of those two countries are very different. But commentator and journalist Mona Eltahawy says they've got one unfortunate thing in common.
For the first time, cancer doctors and researchers have put the abstracts of their cancer studies online in advance of their major annual meeting later this month. And you can bet Wall Street has been poring over the reports. Janet Babin has the story.
Fannie Mae, one of the big government-backed mortgage financers, is trying to jump-start the flagging real estate market. It's lowering downpayment requirements for neighborhoods where home prices were falling. John Dimsdale reports.
Demand for gas may be dropping, but worldwide demand for diesel is increasing. And prices have risen nearly three times as fast as for regular gas. So refiners are going all out to boost production. Sam Eaton reports.
Visiting Saudi Arabia, President Bush asked the Saudis to open the taps on their oil production a little wider. The Saudis said sure, they'll boost production, but they'll decide how much. Jeremy Hobson reports.
Despite a bad reputation, payday loan stores are popping up on every corner and now, online. Scott asks Stephen Franklin about the success of payday lenders and the pitfalls of signing up.
With budgets tight, more people are turning to the Internet to trade their possessions for cash. Scott speaks to one such seller who just parted with his prized amp collection.
Are you one of the millions of waiters in LA hoping for your big break? On this week's "A Day in the Work Life," we see how casting director Felicia Fasano finds the next famous face.
In this edition of Getting Personal, Chris and Scott talk about a sorority's collection agency threat, dissolving an LLC, timeshares and digging up an investment firm's past.
The Internet has allowed us to automate more aspects of our lives. Commentator Ron Lieber introduces us to the next step: subscription toiletries, courtesy of Amazon.
If prices are up, how are inflation fears decreasing? Economics editor Chris Farrell sets the story straight, explaining how the CPI relates to your rising grocery bill.
A down market can be the best time to rearrange your money. Scott talks to Christine Fahlund about taking advantage of the moment to convert your Traditional IRA to a Roth.
We'd all like some guidance on our finances, but how can you make sure your adviser has your best interests in mind? Jeremy Hobson explains how to pick the right financial planner.
New housing starts were up last month thanks to the construction of new apartments. But a drop in single-family homes might be a stronger indication of what's going on, according to economists. Alisa Roth has more.
Planting season has begun in Myanmar, but the recent cyclone wiped out more than 10 percent of the country's total rice production. Lisa Chow reports seeds must be received within 40-50 days to avoid a shortage next year.
The film festival at Cannes is a little different this year. Renita Jablonski talks to Variety's Mike Speier about changes in the economics of the film industry and how it may affect the glitzy 61-year event.
Despite having a profitable year, British Airways' head Willie Walsh has denied himself a bonus due to the disappointing opening of Heathrow's Terminal 5. It may be awhile before another bonus, as Stephen Beard reports.
Foreign ministers from Brazil, Russia, India and China are continuing talks today in Russia. But where some political analysts see a threat, others see potential for clean energy leadership. Sam Eaton has more.
Artists, scientists and Nobel laureates gathered in Israel for a conference paying tribute to Jewish innovators. But why are there so many in a country about as big as New Jersey? Daniel Estrin asked around Jerusalem.
Cancer has replaced heart disease as the number one killer of people in their 40's and 50's, and this means growth in oncology drug sales. Janet Babin reports that by 2012, the cancer drug market is set to grow to $80 billion.
It may not be the first thing you think would be stolen from your car, but a spike in gas prices has incited a new wave of gas theft. Jeremy Hobson reports sales of gas cap locks are rising with the cost per gallon.
Over the centuries, thousands of ancient treasures have left Egypt — either with official blessings or by smugglers. Now Egypt is stepping up its efforts to reclaim and safeguard its antiquities. Amy Scott reports.
American homeowners and businesses can now get federal tax credits for installing renewable energy systems. But those credits are scheduled to expire at year's end, which is leaving clean-energy companies in the dark. Danielle Karson reports.
The New York Mercantile Exchange is going to start trading steel later this year — a solid reflection of rising steel prices and corporate profits. American steel companies are booking record earnings. John Dimsdale reports.
If you gamble, your winnings are taxable and your losses are deductible. But commentator and tax attorney Conrad Teitell says good luck trying to get Uncle Sam to accept those deductions.
In the 30 years since the Lebanese civil war started, violence has become almost a way of life — for residents and for businesses. Ben Gilbert reports from West Beirut.
Troops have been dispatched to shore up nearly 400 dams damaged by the Sichuan province earthquake. Mother Nature's mostly to blame, but there are worries over human error, too, since China has been exporting its dam-building expertise. Scott Tong reports.
General Electric reportedly is looking to sell off its appliance unit. If a bellwether like GE is struggling, what's it like out there for everyone else? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Getting food to Myanmar has been a huge logistical problem for the Red Cross, and rainfall from an approaching storm threatens to make conditions worse. Lisa Chow reports what's being done to help.
Responding to pressure to trim down its operations, GE plans to auction off the appliance sector of its business, which only netted 4 percent of revenue last year. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports the brand has lost some market clout.
English-based stores in Los Angeles will celebrate their contribution to California's economy with a "Britwalk." But what makes these businesses specifically British? Cash Peters looked to his countrymen to find out.
Blackstone releases its first-quarter profits today on the heels of a 90 percent profit loss for last year. Jill Barshay reports analysts are forecasting big changes in practice for the private-equity industry.
German President Horst Kohler is calling for tougher regulations on the banking industry, which he believes created a "monster" within the global financial markets. Stephen Beard reports discontent is echoed in Germany.
Economists are forecasting a modest rise in unemployment numbers, but is it enough to call it a recession? Economics editor Chris Farrell tells Bob Moon the numbers indicate a downturn won't be too deep.
Riding the trend of feel-good reality TV shows, Fox is set to unveil a riches-to-rags story. Stacey Vanek-Smith has more on the "Secret Millionaire" who must find a worthy beneficiary while living amongst the needy.
A new report notes it takes half as much energy today to create $1 of economic output as it did in the 1970's. Dan Grech reports new efficiencies out in the next few decades can cut energy consumption even more.
In his new book "The Billionaire's Vinegar," Ben Wallace guides his readers into the shady, ultra-expensive world of vintage wines, where frauds expertly replicate rare bottles and "buyers beware" takes on a whole new meaning.
The U.S. chemicals giant announced a $140 million joint venture with a Danish company to produce ethanol from non-food sources. It could be a valuable fuel source, but don't expect corn prices to drop just yet. Sam Eaton reports for the Sustainability Desk.
The images are devastating — schools and hospitals flattened, survivors and bodies pulled from the rubble… Offers of aid and supplies have poured in from around the world. But John Dimsdale reports China's government seems intent on showing it can handle the catastrophe on its own.
Even rich folks are feeling the economic slowdown — there's foreclosures in the tony Hamptons, too. Commentator David Frum says the asset boom early this decade benefited a relative few, but the bust could hurt us all.
A new round of negotiations gets underway for the Open Skies agreement — a comprehensive set of rules governing transatlantic air travel. The stakes are enormous, and European airlines are pushing for a bigger share of the airlines themselves. Stephen Beard reports.
April's Consumer Price Index rose less than the month before, defying expectations. Food price increases were balanced off by car costs. Housing prices are down from a year ago. Alisa Roth reports.
The Senate has voted to prevent further stockpiling of crude in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. But some experts in London doubt the action would lower oil prices, and might even keep them high. Stephen Beard finds out why.
In a novel approach to fighting homelessness, San Francisco will install 10 old parking meters in heavily panhandled neighborhoods and use the money deposited for charities. Sean Cole reports on a similar program in Montreal.
Tomorrow, Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's will be handing out freebies, part of a marketing trend to draw cash-strapped customers into stores. It works, apparently. Customers think it's fun and come back. Stacey Vanek-Smith has more.
Grieving Chinese parents want to know why as many as nine schools collapsed in the massive earthquake in China Monday, killing their children. From Shanghai, Scott Tong reports that many wonder if substandard buildings were at fault.
The Congressional Budget Office predicts the housing bill Congress is drafting will help only a small portion of homeowners heading to mortgage default. Commentator Richard Reich explains why Congress must broaden that bill.
Frank Sinatra died a decade ago today and the tributes range from postage stamps to new CD compilations and souvenirs galore. John Dimsdale reports on The Chairman of the Board's enduring appeal.
Congress looks at global warming from a new angle today — green buildings. Proponents say even modest changes to building codes can cut greenhouse gases significantly. Some argue green homes use 32 percent less electricity. Sam Eaton has more.
Marketplace listeners give us some food for thought about agribusiness, online sales taxes, cement and the maturity level of Grand Theft Auto 4 players.
One of the most significant innovations for developing countries has been microfinance, giving small loans to poor entrepreneurs. Commentator and economist Dean Karlan says microlending is a valuable tool, but it needs more creativity to keep growing.
When Wall Street's best and brightest devise things like collateralized debt obligations and mortgage-backed securities in the good times, they're applauded. But when those things go bad, they get the blame. Bob Moon reports on balancing innovation and regulation.
With television audiences declining, network executives are looking for ways to attract them — and advertisers — whether it be online, on screen or on our phones. Kai Ryssdal has more on some of the new steps they're taking.
With the death toll from China's Sichuan Province earthquake at more than 12,000 and expected to rise, aid offers are coming in from around the globe. But will Beijing be receptive to assistance or choose to go it alone? Scott Tong reports.
Banks are reporting more loans to small businesses going bad. That means the small businesses left standing are having a harder time getting credit. And that hurts their suppliers. Jill Barshay reports on some creative solutions to keep business flowing.
Wal-Mart says sales have started to follow the pay cycle — trailing off as money runs out before the next paycheck comes. And Bank of America is seeing more people paying for basics with credit cards. Janet Babin reports on families feeling the pinch.
Chevron, Citigroup and Ford are among companies accused in three lawsuits of profiting from South Africa's former apartheid system. A move by the U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for the lawsuits to go forward. Gretchen Wilson has more.
The Commerce Department's monthly retail report shows consumer spending dropped last month, but not as much as predicted. Dan Grech looks into why and what the numbers say about the overall economy.
Teens face tough competition for sales and other jobs again this summer. Congress might lend a hand if it passes a bill to pump a billion dollars into summer job programs. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports from New York.
Many baby boomers are expected to keep working past retirement age, but those who do retire will be looking for a steady income. Commentator Todd Buchholz advises heading off one of their choices.
Europe has had a ban on U.S. poultry imports for 11 years, but the ban could soon be lifted. Americans wash the birds with chlorine to keep the product bug-free. Stephen Beard reports on why that is no longer an issue.
Asia now faces the aftermath of double disasters — the quake in China and the cyclone in Myanmar. Relief groups say they have supplies to send to both countries, but getting them there is another story. Scott Tong reports from Shanghai.
Transparency in Wall Street's innovative but extremely complex hybrid securities is all well and good, but when the disclosed information is too hard to understand, what's the point? Bob Moon asks if financial innovation has gone too far.
Stimulus checks are arriving just in time for summer vacation plans. With air fares and gas prices up, those plans are likely to be scaled down. The air travel industry weighs in with its forecast today. John Dimsdale reports.
Motivated by rising fuel prices, oil companies are striking secret deals with foreign countries — including corrupt ones — to tap into their reserves. Now, the government wants disclosure. Sam Eaton has more.
A small amount of Israel's organic foods are being produced out of settlements in the West Bank — which is reason for some consumers to buy them, and for others not to. But Daniel Estrin reports it's often hard for the buyer to know.
American Airlines has joined the list of carriers charging an extra $25 to passengers who check a second bag. Add to that fuel surcharges and other fees and, as Nancy Marshall Genzer reports, the airlines could send customers packing.
A new Jewish lobbying firm called "J Street" has set up shop in Washington. Kai Ryssdal talks with its Executive Director Jeremy Ben Ami about why the group thinks there's room for a different approach to the Middle East and foreign policy.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says he's only going to keep about 40% of the current Bear Stearns staff on the payroll. That decision is going to make an already tough job market on Wall Street even more difficult. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Commentator Fareed Zakaria says the growth of developing economies is a major factor in our current economic crisis. We know how to handle a recession, he says, but the worldwide growth we're now seeing isn't something we've dealt with before.
Morgan Stanley announced today it has collected $4 billion for a new infrastructure fund. Credit Suisse and General Electric did them one better, raising more than $5 billion. Jill Barshay reports on where they're going to put all that money.
The Supreme Court today let a lower-court ruling stand on whether apartheid victims can sue American companies that dealt with South Africa's former apartheid government. The reason: four justices had to recuse themselves. Jeremy Hobson reports.
More than 8,600 people are known dead from a 7.8 earthquake that hit the southwest China province of Sichuan. Host Kai Ryssdal gets the lastest details from Marketplace's China correspondent Scott Tong.
Blackberry released a sleek new cellphone today as its entry in the competition with Apple's iPhone. The secret ingredient: the Blackberry Bold uses a different kind of network to get all kinds of new features. Alisa Roth has more.
In China, consumer prices approach a 12-year high, leading to a global fear that Chinese factories are hiking prices for everyone. Scott Tong reports from Shanghai on commodity prices and inflation in China.
The big broadcast networks put on their annual dog and pony show this week in New York City. It's called "the upfront" and is the time when networks unveil new shows for advertisers, who then pre-buy commercial time. Stacey Vanek Smith reports.
With all the focus on Internet scam spams, the idea of just plain snail-mail scams would seem to have gone the way of brick-sized cell phones. But Sally Herships reports that scammers have no preference when it comes to their dirty work.
Although the cost of feed is soaring, the cost of chicken has barely budged this year. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports that chicken producers would love to raise their prices like everyone else, but are held back by retailers.
