Marketplace for Thursday, May 1, 2008

Segments From This Episode

• Gas suppliers getting squeezed, too

  by Bob Moon

  Exxon Mobil reported $10.9 billion in profits last quarter, but Wall Street was disappointed. Because even though Big Oil's prospects look good at the well head, they're mostly evaporating by the time consumers pull up to the gas station. Bob Moon reports.

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• What if rice producers stick together?

  by Jeff Tyler

  Some big rice growing countries are taking a page from the global oil markets and considering forming an organization like OPEC for Asia's rice growers. Jeff Tyler reports on whether a food cartel could actually work.

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• Goal! Brazil scores higher credit rating

  by Dan Grech

  After shedding its debtor-nation status, Brazil has now received an investment-grade credit rating from Standard & Poor's. And the news is getting the kind of attention usually reserved for the national soccer team. Dan Grech reports.

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• Farmers fear a bust trailing the boom

  by Marketplace Staff

  The Department of Agriculture says U.S. farm profits this year are going to be well above average. But commentator and journalist Bill McConnell says farmers know better than to get too excited about any short-term windfall.

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• Landing hard on leverage’s downside

  by Amy Scott

  Homeowners aren't the only ones who've gotten up to their ears in debt in the subprime loan debacle fallout. Investment banks and hedge funds have gotten into trouble by borrowing more and more to finance their investments. Amy Scott reports.

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• Red Bull takes hard charge at imitators

  by Jill Barshay

  A Chicago club has been ordered to pay more than $500,000 in damages after Red Bull spies spotted the club's bartenders serving a cheaper imitation to customers who had requested the super-caffeinated beverage in their drinks. Jill Barshay reports.

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• After the draft, it’s contract season

  by Kai Ryssdal

  Now that last weekend's NFL draft is over the hard work starts for lawyers and agents trying to hammer out multimillion-dollar contracts for their college-age athletes. Business-of-sports analyst Diana Nyad gets into the details with Kai Ryssdal.

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• Saudis stall in shift to women drivers

  by Kelly McEvers

  In Saudi Arabia, strict religious laws forbid women from driving. There's talk of changing that rule in the next couple of years. But in the meantime, it's keeping women out of the workforce. Kelly McEvers reports.

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