Aug 21, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Apple has hit a major milestone. The electronics giant is now the biggest public company ever measured by stock value. It's back to school shopping season and despite the weak economy, luxury retail has been doing well. And kids clothes are no exception. And an 11 mile stretch of the river has been closed because of low water levels. The Midwestern drought has hurt many companies that ship goods down the Mississippi. And that has many industries taking a closer look at where their water comes from.

Segments From this episode

In Turkey, Syrian refugees use their skills

by Marketplace Contributor

Aug 21, 2012

Some 70,000 refugees have fled the fighting in Syria and crossed over into Turkey. Even in the refugee camps, some are showing entrepreneurial flair.

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Gift cards give retailers a boost

by Jeff Tyler

Aug 21, 2012

Retailers make money by selling gift cards to be redeemed at other stores.

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An oil refinery secures an essential material: Water

by Eve Troeh

Aug 21, 2012

Oil refineries are among the many industries that use large volumes of water. A refinery in water-parched southern California turned to waste water for its needs.

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Luxury brands target children for back-to-school

by Marketplace Contributor

Aug 21, 2012

Even as the economy continues to show signs of weakness, luxury retailers have still been doing well. One strategy? Bidding for customer loyalty from the moment kids step onto the playground.

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Best Buy profit falls 90% in second quarter

by Stacey Vanek Smith

Aug 21, 2012

Shares of Best Buy are down more than 9 percent this morning. The electronics retailer just reported second quarter profits dropped more than 90 percent.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

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Apple becomes most valuable company in history

by Scott Tong

Aug 21, 2012

Apple has hit a major milestone. The electronics giant is now the biggest public company ever measured by stock value.

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The economic legacy of Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi

by Jeff Horwich

Aug 21, 2012

The country's leader since 1991 has died at the age of 57. Meles faced criticism for civil and human rights abuses in recent years, but he also got credit for a remarkable run of economic growth.

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Study: U.S. doctors are 'burned out'

by Jeff Horwich

Aug 21, 2012

A new study from the Mayo Clinic shows high burnout rates among physicians compared with the general public, especially for emergency room, family and general internal medicine doctors.

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Dell to report earnings, plan for the future

by Scott Tong

Aug 21, 2012

After the market closes, the computer company Dell reports its second-quarter numbers. Haven't thought about Dell in a while? Perhaps your boss has.

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Mid-day Update

PODCAST: A bad day for Best Buy, a stressful life for doctors

by Mary Dooe

Aug 21, 2012

Apple has hit a major milestone. The electronics giant is now the biggest public company ever measured by stock value. It's back to school shopping season and despite the weak economy, luxury retail has been doing well. And kids clothes are no exception. And here in the U.S., our doctors are "burned out," according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic.

Doctor Denton Cooley explains heart transplants, on September 4, 1969 to the press, in Huston, Texas.

-/AFP/GettyImages

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Apple has hit a major milestone. The electronics giant is now the biggest public company ever measured by stock value. It’s back to school shopping season and despite the weak economy, luxury retail has been doing well. And kids clothes are no exception. And an 11 mile stretch of the river has been closed because of low water levels. The Midwestern drought has hurt many companies that ship goods down the Mississippi. And that has many industries taking a closer look at where their water comes from.

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