Marketplace for Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Segments From This Episode

• Inflation turns on global economy

  by Jill Barshay

  For the first time in almost a year the Consumer Price Index dropped in August. Roll that in with the reported drop in wholesale prices and it's a nifty economic shapshot, no? But Jill Barshay reports the picture's actually not so clear.

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• GM, UAW may put faith in trust fund

  by Jeff Tyler

  General Motors and the United Auto Workers today got back to hammering out a new contract that could be a model for deals with Ford and Chrysler. Jeff Tyler reports the two sides are getting creative to solve the critical problem of healthcare costs.

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• U.S. dollar drops to loonie level

  by Marketplace Staff

  The U.S. greenback is within a penny of the Canadian dollar — something that hasn't happened in decades. Alison Myers reports that it could mean a lift for American retailers.

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• Investment banks still counting losses

  by Amy Scott

  Analysts were pleasantly surprised when Lehman Brothers reported a mere 3% drop in profits yesterday. But Morgan Stanley said today its earnings fell 17%, with almost $1 billion in bad loans to write off. Marketplace's Amy Scott explains the disparity.

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• China inflation coming to U.S. price tags

  by Scott Tong

  China's having inflation worries of its own. Beijing imposed price controls today on almost everything. The rising cost of food is the most worrisome in a country that has 1.3 billion people to feed. But Scott Tong reports the Chinese won't be the only ones paying the price.

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• Fed moves leave the little guy stuck

  by Marketplace Staff

  The Fed has done its bit to help out the mortgage-induced credit crunch by lowering interest rates. Commentator Robert Reich says that's great for lenders and investors, but it won't do a thing for the little guy.

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• Music biz’s future rests on key changes

  by Bob Moon

  When it comes to file sharing and illegal downloads, it's the big music labels that complain the loudest about being ripped off. Bob Moon reports on some ideas that might help the recording industry face the musical future.

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