Marketplace for Thursday, December 16, 2010

Segments From This Episode

• The best business books of 2010

  by Marketplace Staff

  At the end of the year, Marketplace takes a look at the best business books of 2010. We asked six of our regular contributors to share their picks for favorite business books of the year. And Kai offers his own suggestions for 2010's best reads.

  Share

• Is farmland the next real estate bubble?

  by Marketplace Staff

  The value of farmland is at an all-time high — and it's still rising. Investors are snapping up agricultural land — should they be concerned about another disastrous bubble burst?

  Share

• The value of being happy at work

  by Marketplace Staff

  Imagine if your boss encouraged you to take that break. You may be happier and more productive at your job. Kai Ryssdal talks to some folks at Sony Pictures who implemented that idea.

  Share

• Super Bowl ads sell out may mean more confident companies

  by Jennifer Collins

  After slow sales for ad spots in past Super Bowls, companies are back with the vengeance. Ad spots have been sold out for months. Marketplace's Jennifer Collins reports.

  Share

• Cap on debit interchange fees could lead to other costs

  by Jeff Tyler

  The Federal Reserve today announced that it wanted to cap debit interchange fees, the money banks often charge retailers when consumers use their debit cards. The cap could cost banks billions in revenue, but as Jeff Tyler reports, they'd find other ways to make it up.

  Share

• Gov’t lays out plans for giant solar farms

  by Scott Tong

  The federal government today proposed new rules for solar farms to be built over public lands out west. But with the giant farms covering acres and acres of land, it could cause a debate over habitat protection.

  Share

• Does the economy need more stimulus?

  by John Dimsdale

  As the tax bill makes its way through Congress today, some worry that the stimulus provided by the tax breaks may be too much, but others say that without it, we'd be worse off. John Dimsdale reports.

  Share

• How much are tech companies really worth?

  by Steve Henn

  Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are creating a lot of buzz — and a lot of money. According to a big investment today, Twitter is worth nearly $4 billion. Steve Henn does the math.

  Share