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Aaron Schrank

Latest Stories (155)

Is a troubled economy driving North Korea to the table?

Mar 9, 2018
Yesterday’s surprise announcement that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet with President Donald Trump for denuclearization talks raises a lot of questions. Most importantly: Why now? The Trump administration, along with the international community, has recently ratcheted up economic sanctions against North Korea. While it’s clear those sanctions have done some damage to […]

Is the banking bill good for consumers?

Mar 7, 2018
A Senate bill that would roll back some banking restrictions passed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis is moving forward with bipartisan support. Seventeen Democrats voted along with Republicans on Tuesday to allow the banking bill to proceed to a vote. Proponents say it will provide relief to small and mid-sized banks. But […]

Gun sales and stocks drop as big companies and individuals review investments

Mar 1, 2018
American Outdoor Brands, formerly known as Smith & Wesson, will report earnings after markets close today. The gun-maker’s stock price fell to a five-year low yesterday after Dick’s Sporting Goods said it would stop selling assault-style rifles. After the deadly high school shooting in Florida, many companies and consumers are looking to distance themselves from […]

Top German court gives cities a green light for diesel restrictions

Feb 27, 2018
Germany’s top administrative court today ruled that cities can now ban older diesel vehicles from high-pollution areas. Before Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scandal a few years ago, more than half of the new cars sold in Europe had diesel engines. They’ve been losing market share ever since, and today’s ruling only hastens the decline of diesel. That’s […]

Save more or owe more?

Feb 22, 2018
With wages and incomes up, more Americans say they are saving for a rainy day. But it might be wiser to use the money to pay down debt. Marketplace’s Aaron Schrank explains. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Venezuela turns to crypto currency, hoping to salvage battered economy

Feb 20, 2018
Venezuelan government will begin pre-selling a cryptocurrency today, called the "petro."

Google begins blocking "annoying" ads on Chrome

Feb 15, 2018
Ad tech firms worry innovation could be stymied.
People pass by the Google logo at the Web Summit in Lisbon on Nov. 8, 2017. 
PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images

Amazon will pilot package carrier service in Los Angeles

Feb 9, 2018
As Amazon expands its logistics operations, it’s inching closer to developing a service that competes with FedEx and UPS. Shares of both package carriers fell today after news of Amazon’s new Shipping with Amazon service was reported in the Wall Street Journal. The company is piloting that service in Los Angeles, delivering some goods sold […]

GM aims to cut billons as it eyes driverless vehicle service

Feb 6, 2018
General Motors reports fourth-quarter earnings before the market opens today. Analysts are expecting an earnings increase for the big carmaker, which retook the lead from Tesla in market valuation last year. GM stock rallied 20 percent in 2017 as the company unveiled bold plans for driverless taxis. Click the above audio player to hear the […]

The Waymo vs. Uber driverless car war lands in court

Jan 31, 2018
Waymo claims a former employee took trade secrets to rival Uber. The intellectual property dispute could have implications for a range of industries. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.