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Episodes 7911 - 7920 of 10000

  • The ACA exchanges have been good for business. Both United Healthcare and Blue Cross plan to expand their offerings in 2015, while other top carriers are considering their options. We look at what the giant insurers have in store for ACA, year two. Plus, China’s version of Twitter goes public on Nasdaq this Thursday. But there are big concerns over censorship. Nine percent of China’s microblogging traffic disappeared last year due to “big brother” concerns.

  • A bacterial infection is roiling through shrimp farms in Southeast Asia, disrupting production and raising shrimp prices in the U.S., which depends on Asia for most of its shrimp. “Infant mortality syndrome” has knocked off Thailand as the biggest exporter to U.S. Now that’s India. Plus, this week is the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang, a design innovation that had a huge impact on auto makers and auto culture. Has any U.S. car design had a similar impact since?

  • American taxpayers face a smaller risk of being audited by the IRS, as the agency struggles with its own budget problems. Afterall, the less you make, the less you have to worry- and that’s even less than before. Plus, heartbleed is apparently going to cost us a lot of money. A quarter of internet users have stopped or cut way back on online purchases in fear that their data will be exposed. And businesses have been exposed because the “keys” to their websites have been laid bare. IT overtime alone is costing businesses millions right now as they desperately attempt to update code and reassure consumers.  

  • Easter is almost a month later than last year. Big deal, you say, it’s not like it’s Christmas. But stores like Rite Aid and Walgreens have already reported that the late Easter has reduced their front-of-store sales. Sabri looks at how a delayed Easter can be a drag on the economy. Plus: Our trusted representatives leave DC for a two-week recess this weekend. But that doesn’t mean they’re just going to relax on the beach for a fortnight, oh no! There’s work to be done at home, flesh to press and ribbons to cut and babies to kiss and, of course, money to raise. Amy Scott reports on what recess really means for congressional representatives.

  • One of the most pressing issues before attendees at the IMF spring meetings in Washington, D.C., doesn’t show up on the agenda – the situation in Ukraine. We offer a review of the tools and options bankers have. Plus: Some at the Fed are worried the inflation rate, around 1 percent, is too low. The hope is to nudge it up to 2 percent. What does the inflation rate tell us?  And why would we want to increase it?  

  • Half of the Fortune 50 are said to be poised to enter the healthcare realm, according to an analysis out  Thursday from PricewaterhouseCoopers. How will retailers, telecoms and even automakers make money in the healthcare world? Plus: Teen spending on food has eclipsed spending on clothing, and that has a lot to do with Starbucks, according to a new survey of teenagers buying habits. We look at the chase for young spenders’ dollars, and what Starbucks is doing to be so successful.

  • On Wednesday, the government will release data on what Medicare paid doctors in 2012. Reformers love this idea – hoping it will help make consumers smarter when it comes to getting care. But the American Medical Association says doctors who treat the sickest patients might end up looking bad when compared to their peers. We examine the promise and peril of big data in healthcare. Also on Wednesday, hearings are ecxpected to take place about the proposed Time Warner/Comcast merger. One set of issues likely to take center stage is how this proposed merger might impact the market for broadband and internet service. 

  • The Puerto Rican bank is getting out of the Chicago and Southern California markets, retreating to the East Coast. We look at the reasons. Plus: Obama signs the EO, that will make it easier for federal contractors to talk about what they make. So will they? 

  • We’re getting into the earning reporting season for the big banks, and the results are not expected to be as strong as they have been. Banks’ bottom lines have been hit by a slump in mortgage lending and trading income. Also, a Bitcoin ATM operator called Robocoin is setting up shop in Congress this week, with a demonstration of a Bitcoin ATM in the Rayburn House Office Building. And while this is clearly a publicity stunt (the ATM will only be up for three hours), it does raise some interesting questions, because the IRS considers Bitcoin an asset, not a currency.

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About the show

Get up to speed on the news each morning with our daily radio show and podcast, “Marketplace Morning Report,” hosted by Kimberly Adams. We give you the economy without the anxiety, in the amount of time it takes to brew a cup of coffee. Start your day with us, on air or by downloading our podcast, for context and perspective on the economic news that matters to you.

The Marketplace team brings you key news updates and economic happenings in real time throughout the morning. Catch “Marketplace Morning Report” live every Monday through Friday to get the latest news on the markets, money, jobs, and innovation.

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