Segments From This Episode

• AIG may seek government help, again

  by Steve Henn

  Struggling insurance giant AIG is seeking more help from the government as it prepares to reveal a fourth-quarter loss of $60 billion. But what happened to the $150 billion in bailout money it already received? Steve Henn reports.

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• Markets aren’t always good forecasters

  by Jeremy Hobson

  Many people look at the major stock market indices as leading economic indicators. But as Jeremy Hobson reports, the volatile stock markets aren't always indicative of what's going on in the economy.

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• AmEx pays cardholders to end accounts

  by Janet Babin

  American Express is paying some cardholders $300 to cancel their accounts to avoid the risk of more defaults. Is this the beginning of a new trend? Janet Babin reports.

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• Did math formula cause financial crisis?

  by Marketplace Staff

  When math wizard David X. Li invented a formula to price collateral debt obligations, many on Wall Street adopted it. But now the formula's being blamed for spurring the collapse of the financial sector. Kai Ryssdal discusses the formula with Felix Salmon, who wrote about it in Wired magazine.

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• Big Easy’s economy is looking up

  by Marketplace Staff

  New Orleans residents can celebrate more than Mardi Gras. The city's economy is doing pretty well because of the tourism and construction industries. Will it last? Kate Archer Kent reports.

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• Letters: Housing crisis, banks, gadgets

  by Marketplace Staff

  Kai Ryssdal reviews your thoughts on stories about the housing crisis, bank bailouts, big numbers and small gadgets.

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• Business franchises defaulting big time

  by Mitchell Hartman

  In this downturn, franchisees are defaulting on loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration in record amounts. That could have a huge impact on franchise lending in the future. Mitchell Hartman reports.

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• Vacant retail spaces get creative re-use

  by Marketplace Staff

  With more retail stores closing in this recession, property owners are left with a lot of vacant space to fill. Some are finding creative ways to do so. Tamara Keith reports.

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