There's a debate in financial circles over whether banks are unfairly penalized by the requirement that they "mark to market" their holdings. Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what that term means.
The latest plan to stop the bleeding in the financial markets is to bundle up the bad assets and deposit them into a "bad bank." Marketplace's senior editor Paddy Hirsh explains the plan.
Classic style seems to be one of the few things able to beat inflation and financial slumps. Marketplace's Eve Troeh discovers that the old things lying around her house can mean lots of new money.
Many people have questions about how to reconcile such a dramatic economic year as they put together their tax returns for 2008. Host Tess Vigeland asks tax expert Frank Degan to clear up some of the confusion.
Host Tess Vigeland and economics editor Chris Farrell answer listener questions about retirement savings, 529 plans, financial education, early investing and reversing bad habits.
With corporate bankruptcies in the news, what happens to your health care coverage if your whole company goes belly up? Host Tess Vigeland asks Kiplinger's Kimberly Lankford.
COBRA allows former employees to pay to continue their health care coverage after they've left their job. But as Sally Herships reports, the costs of the program can make it difficult for some families to see the benefits.
Financial pundits are quick to say that the current crisis has changed everything, but Marketplace's economics editor Chris Farrell says we shouldn't be so eager to throw out the rule book.
With retirees living longer, it's harder to make ends meet with savings and Social Security. Marketplace's Jeremy Hobson explains how reverse mortgages let retirees use the value of their home to help pay the bills.
Many potential buyers feel they don't have the credit or cash to get into the real estate market. But as Marketplace's senior business correspondent Bob Moon reports, an old lending program could give them the help they need.
Critics are questioning Britain's second multibillion-pound bailout of its banks. Some say another bailout is unnecessary and could make the U.K. the next Iceland — a bankrupt nation. Stephen Beard reports.
World leaders converged in Davos, Switzerland, this week for the World Economic Forum. But there was one notable absence — the United States. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Bloomberg's Tom Keene about the happenings in Davos.
The GDP number was pretty bad and things could get worse. Kai Ryssdal talks about the GDP and nationalization with Portfolio.com's Felix Salmon and The Atlantic's Meghan McArdle.
In an effort to slow evictions resulting from the housing crisis, Freddie Mac is starting a new program to let homeowners and tenants stay in foreclosed homes. Will private lenders follow suit? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Exxon Mobil's fourth-quarter earnings fell 33% from a year ago, but it still reported a record profit for 2008. What's it doing that other companies aren't? Sam Eaton reports.
House Republicans, none of whom voted for President Obama's stimulus plan, are mounting a campaign to defend their positions as pressure from critics and constituents builds. Jeremy Hobson reports.
The U.S. economy suffered its biggest slowdown in more than 25 years, according to last quarter's GDP figures. And with inventory piling up and consumers slow to buy new things, the outlook's not good. Mitchell Hartman reports.
The World Bank has selected eight developing nations to receive $500 million to help them adapt to global warming. If the climate adaptation program goes well it could play a pivotal role in developing a new global climate deal. Sam Eaton reports.
Today is Scott Jagow's last day as host of Marketplace Morning Report. Scott is ending three and a half years sitting at the MMR helm, but thankfully he won't be going too far.
A real estate developer in Philadelphia is building an eco-friendly house for $100,000 to prove green design isn't just a luxury item. But the hard part may be selling the house when it's done. Joel Rose reports.
It's hard to avoid Proctor and Gamble's global presence and scores of beauty products. But some of the company's brands are starting to lose out to cheaper generics. Janet Babin explores the consumers' perspective.
Honda is shutting down its main British factory for four months starting today, and laying off 4,000 workers with pay until it re-opens. Stephen Beard reports why this move is an alarming indicator for the auto industry.
Like many city workers, a street busker may be able to drive to the job. But factor in an ever-changing final destination, an amp and a dog, and you've got quite a shlep. We follow a busker in Ireland on his way to work
The economic stimulus package has reached the Senate, and business incentives will likely be the focus. Bob Moon reports some of the main concerns for the bill and where businesses may be able to benefit.
The Commerce Department released its first look at Gross Domestic Product from last quarter today, and GDP contracted at a rate of around 4 percent. Steve Henn reports it could've been worse.
Life in the cubicle for comic strip character Dilbert has been chronicled for years in newspapers worldwide. But even Dilbert isn't immune to the recession. Creator Scott Adams speaks with Kai Ryssdal about why Dilbert is joining the unemployment line.
Home sales continue to plunge, which must be pretty frustrating for real estate agents who depend on commissions from home sales. Mitchell Hartman spends time with one of them in Portland, Ore.
In winter the Cleveland Orchestra wings it to Miami, Fla. Not in search of warmer weather, but rather for revenue it can't find in its hometown's frozen economy. Dan Grech reports.
California is $40 billion in debt, and lawmakers can't agree on how to balance the budget. If the state can't scrounge up the money to pay off looming bills, things could get a whole lot worse. Marianne Russ reports.
The Congressional Oversight Panel for TARP says lack of regulation is a key cause of the financial crisis. Elizabeth Warren, the panel's chair, speaks with Kai Ryssdal about the new regulations it is urging the government to implement.
Fair Isaac Corp. announced that TransUnion is the first credit bureau to offer its new FICO 08 credit score to lenders. What do these changes mean for consumers? John Dimsdale reports.
Nearly every industry is seeing sweeping layoffs in this recession. The job cuts aren't limited to the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder, either. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Despite a $6 billion loss last quarter and no help from federal bailout money, Ford still believes it can weather the storm on its own. Steve Henn crunches the numbers and explores whether the company can make it.
In France, labor is holding its biggest strike in years. Erik Campano reports why the French are protesting now, and why protest strategy is causing it to be so devastating to business.
The World Economic Forum continues in Davos, Switzerland, and many there are trying to figure out where to find growth in this economy. Steve Chiotakis talks to Diane Brady, senior editor at BusinessWeek magazine.
Shell posted a huge drop in quarterly earnings, coming down from last year, where the company made the biggest corporate profit in European history. Stephen Beard reports the dwindling price of oil is bad news for the company.
President Obama's economic stimulus plan makes its way to the Senate today, where tax cuts will be the focus. Some lawmakers have their eyes on the Alternative Minimum Tax. Sarah Gardner reports.
A report coming out today from the congressional panel overseeing TARP says government regulators could have stopped the financial crisis if they'd had more power. Steve Henn reports the panel is calling for more bank regulation.
Revenue at luxury hotels is down as more travelers settle for cheaper accommodations. But hotel staff is going the distance to make sure their customers don't notice. Dan Grech reports.
Ever wish you could be like the women in James Bond movies? Enroll in the Stiletto Spy School and you can learn it all — from mixing the perfect martini to firing an uzi. Marketplace's Amy Scott took a crash course.
As many bank-owned homes in Miami stand vacant, activists are encouraging homeless people to move in as squatters. And no one's complaining. Dan Grech reports.
A "Buy American" clause in President Obama's economic stimulus proposal would require infrastructure projects to use U.S. raw materials, like steel. The clause has created a gap between free-market supporters and manufacturers looking to protect domestic industry. John Dimsdale reports.
The nation's newspapers are struggling. Many have closed their Washington bureaus to cut costs. But D.C. journalism is alive and well — in the form of newsletters. Tamara Keith reports.
The Obama administration is looking for ways to change the financial rules that got us into this mess. But many of Wall Street's financial giants continue to finance Washington lobbyists. Commentator Robert Reich says the influence of those lobbyists needs to be squelched.
The idea of setting up a bad bank to soak up toxic assets is gaining traction. If it works, it could help usher in more lending from banks. But there's a lot standing in its way. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
The European Union is proposing to pay poor countries to get them to sign a climate change pact that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Will the money be enough of an incentive? Sam Eaton reports.
The House has approved President Obama's stimulus package. But the package is drawing complaints that it includes too many pork-barrel projects. But what's pork these days? Janet Babin reports.
The Federal Reserve says the economy has gotten worse since December. With interest rates already hovering around zero, what more can it do to get money moving again? Jeremy Hobson reports.
Los Angeles Times columnist David Lazarus recently had his credit card stolen from his gym locker, and the crooks went on a spending spree. He talks to Steve Chiotakis about how shockingly common these thefts are now.
Chefs from 24 countries try to out-cook each other in the Bocuse D'or, a huge competition held in France. This year, an American might win the top prize, which comes with a lot of prestige. Anita Elash reports.
The World Economic Forum usually attracts rock stars and supermodels to Davos. But this year, political leaders are taking the spotlight, and the tone is more subdued thanks to the recession. Sarah Gardner reports.
Today the House is expected to pass its version of President Obama's $825 billion economic stimulus plan, while the Senate is also considering its version. Steve Henn reports on what senators are trying to include in the bill.
President Obama's appointment of a top climate negotiator marks a change from the Bush administration. But the former president and new climate envoy have some things in common. Sam Eaton reports.
The annual World Economic Forum got underway today in Davos, Switzerland, and more world leaders are in attendance than usual this year — with one glaring omission. Scott Jagow talks to Diane Brady, senior editor at Businessweek.
In an unpredictable job market, being flexible is key — even if it means moving to where there's more opportunity. Commentator Will Wilkinson says if there are no jobs in your town, it may be time to uproot.
The value of the U.S. dollar has been holding up pretty well, even though more and more money is being printed by the government to bail out the banks. Why? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Even in this recession, companies are shelling out millions for Super Bowl advertising. Kai Ryssdal speaks with journalist Rob Walker about why some brands are still spending such big bucks for so little time.
As a Senate committee looks into how regulators missed Bernard Madoff's investment scam, the Marketplace Players wonder if the senators are really interested in fixing what's broken.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or mixed martial arts, has emerged from the shadows to become a huge moneymaker. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Sports Illustrated writer L. Jon Wertheim about the combat sport's fast-growing audience.
With interest rates approaching zero and billions of federal dollars already pumped into the banking industry, are there more tricks up the Fed's sleeve? Commentator Krishna Guha says there could be.
New Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is trying to rein in TARP with rules that limit the power of lobbyists and ensure more oversight for the billions of dollars being handed out. Will Geithner's new rules make it clearer where our tax money is going? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
For some, working at home is a dream. But if you prefer an office space and want to meet a range of other flexible professionals, there's Coworking. Janet Babin visits a shared creative workspace in North Carolina.
A bill set before the House Judiciary Committee would allow judges to restructure mortgages of people in bankruptcy and make banks accept the terms. But some think the bill could hurt more than help. Tamara Keith reports.
The Federal Reserve will meet today to discuss interest rates today, and the consensus is keep them low. John Dimsdale reports the Fed will be looking at other items that could potentially light a lending fire.
Short on diesel, Bolivian farmers want to use soybean biofuel to keep running. Using food to produce fuel is illegal in Bolivia right now, but that hasn't stopped them from banding together. Annie Murphy reports.
Yahoo needs to figure out a way to generate more revenue amidst a slashed advertising budget and thousands of new layoffs. New CEO Carol Bartz says the key is to capitalize on its search business. Janet Babin reports.
Even in a downtrodden economy, we could always count on a constant rise in consumer spending every year, if only a slight one. But retailers predict this year, Americans will actually consume less. Steve Henn reports.
Native American casinos are feeling the pinch of the recession. Revenue is down, and the drop in business is having a big impact on local communities. Alex Cohen reports.
The recession hasn't stopped some entrepreneurs from breaking into the specialty food market. The Fancy Food Show in San Francisco was ripe with new companies marketing their products — but not necessarily for huge profits. April Dembosky reports.
The affluent town of Edina, Minn., has been slowly feeling the effects of layoffs and stretched budgets. Annie Baxter visits the town's biggest employer to see how it's coping with the economic stress.
As unemployment rates creep higher, banks are worried that more loans will have to be written off. Because if prime borrowers find themselves jobless, they may not be able to pay their mortgages. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Sales of existing homes rose 6.5% in December. But the new numbers might not be much to celebrate since a lot of those sales are skewed by foreclosures. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
President Obama has ordered the EPA to reconsider whether states can set their own auto emissions standards. But if a waiver to states is granted, can the ailing auto industry meet the tougher requirements? Sam Eaton reports.
Pfizer announced a deal this morning to buy Wyeth for more than $68 billion, which it will do with the help of bailed-out banks. What does this say about the lending health of these banks? Steve Henn reports.
Solar power and "smart-grid" technology are the current winners in the venture capital race, and clean-tech is beating out biotech, which is getting a healthy shake-out. Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman reports.
