Marketplace Money is saying goodbye to longtime staffer Nancy Farghalli, but not before we see what she's learned during her time here. Host Tess Vigeland and other familiar voices give Nancy her final exam.
America's biggest banks have been in the news as the government opens its pocketbook to bail them out. But as Tess Vigeland reports, some banks are doing just fine on their own and that's got investors interested.
Marketplace presents "Here's What I'm Doing," a series asking people from all walks of life how they're coping with the financial crisis. In this edition, listener Nicholas Gaffney explains how he's learning to look away from the bad numbers.
New York Times columnist Joe Nocera has been curating economic rescue plans for homeowners in his blog and column. Host Tess Vigeland asks him to share the specifics of some of the proposals.
While the economy has stolen the spotlight as the top issue in this election, economics editor Chris Farrell explains why concerns about health care aren't going to vanish anytime soon.
As America prepares to choose a new president, people are examining the changes our next chief executive might make to heath care. Danielle Karson reports on how and who the candidates' plans might help.
The Fed slid interest rates lower in an effort to loosen up lending. Marketplace's Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale reports on the market's reaction to the change.
Dreams of working on Wall Street bring a flood of students into Masters of Business Administration programs each year. But even with Wall Street suffering, applications to MBA programs are way up. Adriene Hill reports.
Besides food scandals, there are lots of issues for Marketplace's Shanghai Bureau Chief Scott Tong to take on. Kai Ryssdal talks to him about reporting on China's complex economy and how the nation is dealing with the global economic crisis.
While there's been good news in the credit market, stocks are another story and that story is late-day volatility. To talk about both, Kai Ryssdal calls on Diana Henriques of the New York Times and trader Andy Brooks.
Whoever is elected president will not have an enviable job. The economy is in crisis and the defict is sky high. But commentator Thomas Frank says deficits can be good depending on how the money is spent.
The Supreme Court takes up a case next week that could affect consumers' ability to sue drugmakers over claims that a medicine caused injury or death. At issue is whether the FDA can pre-empt state juries. Janet Babin explains.
Offices are set aside. Phones are hooked up. The Treasury is setting up for the new administration's economic team. But whether that team has any influence before inauguration day is another story. Steve Henn reports.
Rep. Barney Frank insists banks that receive any of the $700 billion in bailout money use it for lending, not for bonuses or to take over other banks. Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale looks into the rules.
With European governments spending billions to bail out banks, investors are buying insurance against countries defaulting. Megan Williams looks into popular doubt that some countries can repay their debt.
Berkshire Hathaway releases its third-quarter profits today, and if they look anything like second-quarter earnings, they'll be dropping. Janet Babin reports why this news might be OK for the average investor.
British bank Barclays said it would get $12 billion from the Middle East, mainly from sovereign wealth funds in Quatar and Abu Dhabi. Stephen Beard reports why the bank would rather go anywhere but the British government.
Analysts are projecting growth of up to 30% for company earnings in the coming quarter. This may seem unlikely given the financial climate, but Ashley Milne-Tyte reports something may be skewing the estimate.
The conflict of music versus art rages on, but some artists are happy to work a day job so they can keep playing. Joshua McNichols talks to musicians in Seattle to find out what else they do to pay the bills.
With the unemployment rate in the U.S. climbing ever higher, it would seem like a good time to be in the job fair business. But job fair producers are hurting for money, even with attendance up. Renita Jablonski reports.
If you're looking to entertain the life out of your guests, why not buy a couch made from a coffin? Caitlan Carroll has this story on a new furniture business in Southern California.
About 20% of American mortgage borrowers are upside-down, meaning they owe more than their homes are now valued. Nancy Marshall Genzer looks at which states are most affected.
Heads up, couch potatoes. Netflix and TiVo are joining forces to have movies and TV episodes instantly streamed from Netflix to the television sets of TiVo subscribers. Stacey Vanek-Smith has more.
The sense of dread in the financial world is no treat, but it'll be a main theme among the tricks played during tomorrow's Halloween festivities. Mitchell Hartman reports on people spooked by the economic crisis who are dressing the part.
Iceland and Hungary have turned to the International Monetary Fund for financial aid. Kai Ryssdal talks with Rhagu Rajan, an economics professor and former IMF chief economist, about the Fund's new, more public role.
DC's Metro transit system could default on a complicated deal and wind up owing foreign bankers $43 million. AIG guaranteed the deal and others like it, leaving at least 31 public services facing defaults too. Steve Henn reports.
The U.S. economy is shrinking, but the buck is making a comeback — in global transactions, at least. Banks are hoarding dollars, so U.S. currency is regaining its allure. Jeremy Hobson has more.
In the third quarter, American GDP shrank by 0.3% — less than analysts expected, but it still showed the U.S. economy shrinking. And, as Sarah Gardner reports, the worst may be yet to come.
Virgin is considering possible three-way deal between itself, BMI and Luftansa. Virgin could get local flights in the U.K. and also form an alliance with Luftansa for international flights. Megan Williams reports.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's rescue plan for U.K. banks made some think of him as a financial savior. Will it work in the long term? Stephen Beard reports for our "What's the Fix? series.
Earnings are down at insurance companies, and there's talk that there could be federal assistance on the way. But will it be a repeat of the $85 billion loan offered to life insurance company AIG? Jeremy Hobson reports.
Holiday shopping may look grim towards the end of the year, but Halloween-related spending is actually up. Julie Rose looks into how the holiday is allowing consumers to dress down their economic woes.
There's talk of a loan to GM and Chrysler to assist with a merger. But economics correspondent Chris Farrell tells Scott Jagow U.S. auto makers should avoid a government loan and just declare bankruptcy.
The federal government is working on a new plan to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. This would be paid for through the $700 billion rescue package finalized by Congress. Nancy Marshall Genzer has more.
In the midst of a financial snafu, you've got to wonder whether company earnings reports mean anything to the stock market. Jeremy Hobson reports investors are more interested when a plan of action is involved.
A drop in exports is hurting Chinese toy manufacturers, who rely on U.S. demand. Next week, China will help out by subsidizing exporters. Scott Tong looks into the health of the toy industry in China.
When gas prices increased, so did noble things like public transportation ridership and sales of fuel-efficient cars. Now that gas prices are sliding, have bad habits returned? Senior Business Correspondent Bob Moon reports.
Merger talks with Chrysler are "progressing," but GM's troubles are not at bay. The automaker announced another global sales drop and reportedly plans to cut back on new car development. Renita Jablonski asks if that's wise.
Huge corporations like The Carlyle Group and Blackstone got into the private equity business when credit was easy and cheap. But now that the credit market is drying up, will the private equity game go with it? Stacey Vanek-Smith finds out.
An important point to keep in mind, says commentator David Frum, is that the government's new role in banking, insurance and other industries is for emergency purposes. Ultimately, that role needs to go away.
The line for federal bailout money keeps growing. Now it's state and city governments that need a hand. State budget deficits are huge coast-to-coast.
Steve Henn has the story.
Now that the Fed's cut the interest rate to 1%, can it cut it any further? Will it? How low can the interest rate go? Kai Ryssdal turns to Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff for his perspective.
The Federal Reserve cut the interest rate to 1% in an effort to encourage lending and stimulate the economy. Will it work? What about inflation? Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale reports.
Hungary is now receiving $25 billion from the IMF to help it cope with its dropped currency and deep debt. But with more countries on the horizon in need, will the IMF have enough? Megan Williams reports.
Congressman Henry Waxman wants to make sure the bailout package isn't used to pay for CEO bonuses. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports some pay packages outlined for top execs might only be pulled off with that money.
With long time horizons and power to borrow large amounts of money, the government may be an answer to our question, "What's the fix?" Bill Radke finds out why from British economist Roger Bootle for our occasional series.
Instead of individual tax rebates, Congress will probably focus new stimulus efforts on infrastructure improvements. John Dimsdale reports transportation and green projects could get high priority.
The Phillies are back in the World Series for the first time in 15 years, and the team's home city finds itself a little unprepared. Peter Crimmins reports why Philly's hotels are booked and the bars are out of beer.
Traffic is up for a new wave of online job Web sites, particularly those set to help retired workers re-enter the job market. Renita Jablonski talks to retirees who are sifting through the listings.
The Federal Reserve is talking like another stimulus package may be on the way. But with the official rate of unemployment at around 6 percent, commentator Robert Reich explains why our focus should be elsewhere.
Barack Obama's young fans have enjoyed supporting and working for him so much, they are already jockeying for jobs in the new administration. Providing, of course, he is elected. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Tinker Bell is back, and this time there's no more wearing herself ragged sprinkling fairy dust for that ham Peter Pan. A new Disney series of DVDs feature Tink and her fairy friends. Rachel Dornhelm has more.
The Marketplace mailbox gave us a lot to think about this week. Kai Ryssdal picked comments on his interview with Rep. Henry Waxman and on Robert Reich's column on the idea of "too big to fail."
Last year's securities industry shindig took place in Boca Raton and had big name entertainment. Oh, what a difference a year makes. New York City Bureau Chief Amy Scott reports on the pared-down version planned this year.
The unpredictability and wild up and down surges of the markets stem in part from the low volume of trading. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports on how volume affects market volatility.
More than 2 million people have lost jobs this year, Businesses are hurting. But companies with a little extra cash are finding this an excellent time to poach new talent from competitors. Stacy Vanek-Smith reports.
Foreclosures, gas prices, Wall Street wipeouts — the daily barrage of bad news has taken a toll on the American consumer, whose confidence in the economy has dropped to almost 50%. Steve Henn reports.
GM is back looking for government help, and the automaker says it can't afford to wait this time — it needs $10 million to merge with Chrysler. Together, the argument is, the two companies can survive. Mitchell Hartman has more.
Italy wants to shrink its national debt by cutting education, which would mean 15 percent of teachers' jobs and $10 billion a year sliced from schools. Megan Williams reports the idea isn't sitting well with everyone.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may not be viewed too favorably for their roles in the current credit crisis, but they were big contributors to local charities. Rachel Dornhelm looks into the loss for D.C. nonprofits.
Unemployment reports are daunting to building owners, as job losses mean fewer rentals. Renita Jablonski explores the correlation between joblessness and a growing number of apartment vacancies.
Renewable energy has a tough battle these days against cheaper oil and difficult credit, but a solar-cell plant in Oregon is still pushing its product down the line. Mitchell Hartman looks closer into the solar industry.
New York City is normally an epicenter for construction and real estate, but developers are having a hard time filling up spaces lately. Sally Herships reports why the city's streets are quieter than usual right now.
States are cities are selling off about $6 billion worth of debt this week, and investors are actually buying. Jeremy Hobson looks into why the municipal bond market recently saw its strongest rally ever.
The government is talking with GM and Chrysler about giving the auto companies some help, but not a bailout. Scott Jagow talks to Nancy Marshall Genzer in Washington about what separates this move from a bailout.
The presidential race isn't the only election next week. More than 400 members of the House are running, and most incumbents will likely cruise to easy victories. One reason is an overwhelming cash advantage. Steve Henn reports.
A glossy, edgy, full-color version of the New Testament has celebrities standing in for biblical characters and post-Katrina New Orleans in Revelations. The idea is to get young hipsters to read it. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
As a professor at MIT's Sloan School of Management and a former Director of the Research at IMF, Simon Johnson has this financial crisis on his mind every day. In fact, he says, he's losing sleep over it.
As oil prices increased, so did Russia's stock and status. Now that oil is slumping, Russia's position and power on the international stage are diminishing. Stephen Beard has the story.
Continental and other airlines will no longer allow carry-on luggage any bigger than the regulation size. Too many passengers were cramming the overhead bin space to avoid fees for checked bags. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
The EPA is changing the way it measures pollution from power plants and making it easier for older facilities to upgrade without installing new emission control equipment. Sarah Gardner has the story.
Three weeks after the $700 billion bailout package seems a good time to find out how it's going. To chat about the bailout and who's lining up to get their share, Kai Ryssdal called economist Doug Elmendorf at the Brookings Institution.
Why is the yen so strong right now, and why should Americans be concerned about the status of Japan's currency? Host Bill Radke turns to Hugh Johnson, manager of Johnson Illington Advisors, for his view.
