Marketplace for Friday, Feb 15, 2008

Segments From This Episode

• Consumer confidence drops to new low

  by Marketplace Staff

  A monthly survey shows consumers are more pessimistic about the economy than they've been in 16 years, as fears of recession and job cuts grow. John Dimsdale reports on how psychology is affecting the economy.

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• Economic fears could hit public works

  by Bob Moon

  Investors' concerns with the credit crunch are showing up in auction-rate securities, which raise money for everything from roads and bridges to hospitals and museums. Marketplace's Bob Moon explains how these investments work and why we should be concerned.

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• Newspapers launch online ad network

  by Marketplace Staff

  Four major U.S. newspaper chains are combining efforts on a network they hope will attract online advertisers seeking to book national campaigns. Dan Grech reports on this latest attempt to keep newspapers competitive.

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• Cutting off your ARM to save your house

  by Marketplace Staff

  Foreclosures, now at record levels, could go even higher as a wave of adjustable rate mortgages reset to higher interest rates in the next 18 months. Mhari Saito has a story of a family teetering on the leading edge of that wave.

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• Week on Wall Street

  by Marketplace Staff

  Stockbroker and business analyst David Johnson chats with host Kai Ryssdal about what happened on Wall Street this week and what may lie ahead.

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• U.S. Africa Command sparks skepticism

  by Gretchen Wilson

  On his current trip to Africa, President Bush is scheduled to address the U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, a new facility said to be for peacekeeping and anti-terrorism training. But many worry it's part of a plan to control the continent's oil resources. Gretchen Wilson reports.

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• New L.A. museum exhibits new art deal

  by Andrea Gardner

  Los Angeles' new Broad Contemporary Art Museum, funded by real-estate baron Eli Broad, will house his immense collection. But he's only lending his art. Andrea Gardner reports on how this unusual arrangement might set a trend.

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