Week of March 9th, 2009

Development economist William Easterly writes:…

Confidence is in short supply these days. But Tyler Cowan at Marginal Revolution points to an article that shows there is an unusual source of long…

How much longer can education and health services jobs jobs continue to grow?

I was definitely looking forward to watching Jon Stewart maul Jim Cramer on the Daily Show last night, but I got busy having a life, and I missed…

A recent report shows that simply plugging drafts and fixing efficiency in your home could have a major effect on your carbon footprint. Sam Eaton from the Marketplace Sustainability Desk decided to put this theory to the test on his aging Los Angeles home.

On this week's "A Day In the Work Life" — our regular look at how folks trade time for money — we talk to art model Parker McPhinney about how the former actress fell into such a body-bearing career.

Tess Vigeland and economics editor Chris Farrell give advice to listeners about COBRA medical insurance, available tax payment plans and whether you should act fast and buy a home while the price is low.

Uh, drink recipes, I mean. Our NY reporter Jeremy Hobson forwarded a great little item in the New Yorker titled "Cocktail Recipes for the…

Take a look at this chart on the personal savings rate. In about a year, the savings rate has gone from a fraction above 0% to a fraction above 4%….

Money talk can often cause serious relationship strife. Financial planner Lisa Peterson created a seminar which aims to remedy the situation. Marketplace's Sean Cole attended the most recent event and brought back this report.

It's hard to believe it has been a year since Bear Stearns became extinct. While some people walked away with millions, many more did not. Marketplace's Amy Scott talks to a couple who met at Bear Stearns and who are still recovering from the fallout.

Tess Vigeland talks to Economics Editor Chris Farrell about Jon Stewart's interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer and whether average investors should pay attention to stock choices recommended on financial shows.

Despite the mortgage crisis, some lenders are still approving loans that end in default. Tess Vigeland talks to Salon.com reporter Alyssa Katz about how some brokers are now causing problems for the Federal Housing Administration.

Demand for Federal Housing Administration mortgage loans is on the rise. But reporter Amanda Aroncyk discovered that the same problems that contributed to the subprime collapse may now be threatening the FHA.

Kai Ryssdal looks back at the fall of Bear Stearns and wonders what might have been with The New Yorker's James Surowiecki.

It's been almost a year since investment bank Bear Stearns imploded, leaving some 14,000 employees in limbo. Amy Scott takes a look at where some of them are now.

The markets had a little bump this week. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Fortune Magazine's Leigh Gallagher and Felix Salmon from Portfolio.com about the news that drove the markets up and what's still weighing us down.

The earned-income tax credit is designed to give a break to low-income workers. But commentator Amity Shlaes says these days the poor may be paying too few taxes and the rich may have too big of a burden, which is not helping economic recovery.

Now that General Electric and Berkshire Hathaway have lost their Triple-A credit ratings, only five U.S. companies are left with that status. With fewer companies standing at the top, what does losing an A really mean? Jeremy Hobson reports.

OPEC will meet this weekend to discuss whether to raise oil prices and cut production. But OPEC's strategy could possibly drop demand for oil even further. Sam Eaton reports.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is still waiting for many of his top staff posts to be filled, but that hasn't stopped the growing chorus of criticism. Steve Henn reports.

The U.S. trade imbalance is at a six-year low, and many people wonder how low foreign oil demand can go. Bill Radke talks to Financial Times correspondent Carola Hoyos about whether OPEC members will once again cut production.

NPR has decided to cancel all of its newspaper subscriptions, except for the Wall Street Journal. Romenesko posted an internal NPR memo that says…

American Idol has wrapped up its first week of the new season, and ratings suggest the show is losing younger viewers. Bill Radke talks to Variety's Michael Speier about whether the show has hit its peak.

Democrats are talking up a plan today to make executive pay-outs commensurate with long-term performance. But some are worried about the government's role in that kind of pay shift. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

The Obama administration unveils today unveils some stimulus guidelines on how state and local governments can and can't spend their share. John Dimsdale reports why federal officials are warning them to be careful.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is worried about the safety of China's $700 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds. In a press conference, he asked the U.S. to "maintain its good credit." Scott Tong reports.

Question: I just had an extremely frustrating conversation with my credit card company (Bank of America). I wanted to get your thoughts. Larke,…

Some experts on the U.S. job market are saying things have gotten so bad that applicants are willing to drop two rungs in salary and stature to get a job. Jeremy Hobson crunches the numbers and finds out why some are willing to settle.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has high hopes for next month's G20 summit in the U.K., but critics say a split between the U.S. and continental Europe could result in little being achieved. Stephen Beard reports.

Other countries and more Americans are starting to question whether Team Obama is on the right path. European countries are sick of all the US…

It's looking like ticket sales will be in decline when Major League Baseball kicks off in just a few weeks. Steve Chiotakis explores the reasons for the lackluster numbers with sports commentator Diana Nyad.

The E.U. is slowing the flow of U.S. biodiesel into Europe. As of today, all American exporters will have to pay a tariff to sell the plant-based fuel over there. Caitlan Carroll reports how much more U.S. biodiesel will now cost in Europe.

Today, the NAACP filed two class-action lawsuits against Wells Fargo and HSBC, claiming the two large banks forced African-Americans into subprime mortgages. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Marketplace for Friday, March 13, 2009

Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, March 13, 2009

Question: The company that manages our 401k plans for my employer has had its rating downgraded by S&P recently due to concern about making its…

Remember the big day Citigroup's stock had on Tuesday? It climbed 38%, a whopping 40 cents. Well, that 40 cents helped four Citigroup executives…

Despite its reputation as the love drug, ecstasy has a violent back story. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with "Chemical Cowboys" author Lisa Sweetingham about the investigations that ended an ecstasy empire.

Swiss drug maker Roche is acquiring U.S. biotech giant Genentech in a $47 billion deal. Sam Eaton reports on the latest example of a pharmaceutical company buying out a competitor to boost its product line.

With budget-conscious universities cutting funding for high-tech research, potential breakthroughs that could stimulate the economy are being put on the back burner. Janet Babin reports.

Kai Ryssdal speaks with New York Times technology columnist David Pogue about how a new service called "Google Voice" could change the communication lines.

At least a dozen struggling life insurance institutions are following in banks' footsteps, hoping to get a bailout from the U.S. Treasury. Steve Henn reports.

As international finance leaders prepare to meet, there is disagreement over how to get the global economy back on track. As Stephen Beard reports, Germany is saying it's already spending a lot to stimulate its economy.

Disgraced investor Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty to masterminding a $50 billion Ponzi scheme, the largest in history. So where did all that money go? Bob Moon reports.

I hate going to the dentist and sitting in traffic and eating beef stroganoff, but I kinda like the challenge of figuring out my taxes. I'm…

After a two-day meeting with African leaders in Tanzania, The International Monetary Fund says it will boost loans to Africa and loosen its lending requirements. Gretchen Wilson reports what Africa may need to protect itself from crisis.

Bernie Madoff is headed straight for jail after pleading guilty today to the mother of all Ponzi schemes. In revoking bail, the judge said of…

A lobby group called "BICEP" wants to help shape climate change policy as a Senate committee takes up the issue today. Starbucks, Levis, and Sun Microsystems are a few of the companies involved in the group. Caitlan Carroll reports.

Today is Hulu.com's one-year anniversary, and the Web site known for streaming TV shows online has attracted some big competition since it started. Jeremy Hobson reports what the site is considering to keep its edge.

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche is buying up the rest of the shares in California-based Genentech. The combined group will be the seventh-largest drugs company in the U.S. Stephen Beard reports what new powers this will give Roche.

Life insurance companies have been at the back of the bailout line, but their number might get called soon. The Wall Street Journal reports today…

Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli has been advertising his irresistible new perfume, "Greed," in an art gallery in Rome. But the big-budget, celebrity-boosted product doesn't actually exist. Megan Williams reports.

Firearm maker Smith & Wesson reports its earnings today, and analysts expects strong results with sales of guns and ammo on the rise. Mitchell Hartman explores the correlation between firearm sales and the recession.

A report out from RealtyTrac says nearly 1 in 300,000 homes received a foreclosure notice last month, which is up since January and since last year in general. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports where more of the foreclosures are centered.

Marketplace Morning Report for Thursday, March 12, 2009

Marketplace for Thursday, March, 12, 2009

Question: I'm planning to cosign a home loan for my brother. What's the best way to insulate myself from unforeseen liabilities? Are there any…

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CORNER OFFICE: FedEx Founder, President and CEO Fred Smith.

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CORNER OFFICE: FedEx Founder, President and CEO Fred Smith.

There's an interesting debate going on at Michael Mandel's Businessweek blog. In a column last week, Mandel said the government should pour tons…

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CORNER OFFICE: FedEx Founder, President and CEO Fred Smith.

Many African businesses and homes use charcoal for heating and cooking. But producing the long-burning fuel could be warming the rest of the world. Gretchen Wilson reports.

Talk about the Federal Reserve creating a "bad bank" to buy toxic assets from financial institutions has been floating around. Kai Ryssdal discusses with FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair how the plan would work.

Some say this is the wrong time to fight for workers' rights to unionize. But commentator Robert Reich argues the sooner the Employee Free Choice Act is enacted, the better it'll be for workers and the economy.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says he hopes private investors will help the government buy troubled assets from banks. But are investors on board? Steve Henn reports.

Some banks are wary of the regulatory strings attached to bailout funds, so they're lining up to give their money back to the government. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City have seen their profits slide for months, but February profits are up at Detroit casinos and at most casinos in Missouri. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Steven Pearlstein, business columist of the Washington Post, does a good job of capturing growing frustration. It worth reading the whole article…

In the latest iteration of the government's plan to save the financial system, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says the government will give money…

A recent open house at a popular LA hair transplant clinic was packed with men. But LA Times business columnist David Lazarus told Bill Radke the rise in demand is less for vanity and more to maintain a competitive edge in the job market.

Stock in eBay is slipping as consumers trend towards hard price tags over the chance of an auction. So analysts anticipate eBay to start nurturing PayPal, its other business. Amanda Aronczyk reports.

For 21-year-old single mother and Lakota Sioux Ashley Elk Nation, a South Dakota wind farm provides resources to help her prosper. Laurie Stern has the second installment of this story from a state tribal reservation.

The Bank of England will be generating more than $100 billion to buy long-term government bonds from commercial banks in hopes to get them lending. This "nuclear option" has never been tried in the U.K. or U.S. before. Stephen Beard reports.

No matter how bad the economy gets, at least we have the freedom to complain about it. Some Italian lawmakers want to force bloggers to register…

A robotics conference in San Diego today is attracting a record number of researchers interested in how to make machines work better. Caitlan Carroll explores the wide range of applications being considered for the industry.

The Senate approved a government spending bill yesterday with a $410 billion budget. But Republicans and some Democrats complain the bill is overflowing with funding for special projects. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Some Democratic leaders in Congress want to bring back the uptick rule, which limits the practice of short selling on Wall Street. Bob Moon explores the origins of the rule and why some don't like "short people."

From education to health care reform, President Obama has used the crisis to his advantage and tackled several issues right away. But Commentator Will Wilkinson says by taking advantage of the crisis, it's deepening from neglect.

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Marketplace for Wednesday, March 11, 2009

FedEx's performance is one of the indicators of the overall economy that even the Federal Reserve keeps an eye on. Fedex president and CEO Fred Smith talks about how it's handling the recession.

I read a story that says small cities in California are selling their federal stimulus funds to other cities in exchange for cash. The sellers are…

A lot of people look at different indices as leading indicators for our economy. But commentator Susan Lee says to get the best long-view global picture, take a look at the index that tracks the price of shipping dry bulk — the Baltic Dry.

A musing on the stock market…….

New technology and increased funding is allowing doctors to monitor their patients' health virtually through computer chips. But as technology revolutionizes the health care field, there are some kinks to be worked out. Caitlan Carroll reports.

The Environmental Protection Agency is pushing a proposal requiring companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainability reporter Sarah Gardner explains how the proposal could affect facilities nationwide with Kai Ryssdal.

Listeners weigh in on commentaries about stimulus spending, coaches' salaries, and a story about bigger trucks.

Kai Ryssdal speaks with China correspondent Scott Tong about how the Chinese are reacting to bailout plans and when the country can expect its economy to turn around.

The Online Publishers Association, which represents Web sites like ESPN and the New York Times, will create bigger ads as it tries to grab consumers and lure in more advertising dollars. But will the ads just irk consumers? Brendan Newnam reports.

President Obama is endorsing a plan to increase pay for high-performing teachers. But teachers' unions oppose the idea. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says he wants to reform the bank regulatory system. Steve Henn reports on the ideas that Bernanke is proposing.

Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit says the bank is having its best quarter since 2007 and is in better financial shape than its stock price suggests. But what about all those troubled assets it keeps marking down? Jeremy Hobson reports.

Wall Street's having its best rally of the year today, and reports like this attribute it to Citigroup. The bank claims it was profitable the…

Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit boosted Wall Street morale with a memo to employees noting the company was operating at a profit. Bill Radke talks to Cassandra Toroian of Bell Rock Capital about potential problem areas not covered in the note.

Question: My sister and I are having differences of opinion in investing our Father's money. He is in Assisted Living, age 93. Right now, the…