Marketplace for Thursday, January 15, 2015
Jan 15, 2015

Marketplace for Thursday, January 15, 2015

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Airing on Thursday, January 15, 2015: Big banks are reporting lower revenue, in part because of less trading. Are lower profits for banks, especially from trading, necessarily bad for the economy? Plus, the Swiss franc soared today after Switzerland decided to abandon the cap on the currency value against the euro. We look at what was behind the decision and what difference it will make. Finally, President Obama proposes seven days a year of paid sick leave, arguing that providing more sick leave makes businesses more competitive and workers more productive. We examine the economics of the sick day. 

Segments From this episode

Will work – if they can find child care

Jan 15, 2015
Americans who work nontraditional hours struggle to find round-the-clock day care.

The race to build the car of the future

Jan 15, 2015
Seems like everyone's trying to make the first great electric, self-driving car.

When falling bank profits can be a good thing

Jan 15, 2015
Lower profits could be a sign that banks are taking smaller risks.

Inside an alternative universe of currencies

Jan 15, 2015
Satirists Sam Weiner and Daniel Kibblesmith introduce us to the hippest money around.

The economics of the sick day

Jan 15, 2015
40 million U.S. workers don't have sick leave. Obama wants to change that.

Swiss National Bank gives up the ghost

Jan 15, 2015
The bank surprised just about everyone by letting go of the franc.

Sand turns a rural county upside-down

Jan 15, 2015
Fracking creates a sand rush in western Wisconsin, and not everyone is happy.

Economic schmooze-fest in the Alps just got pricier

Jan 15, 2015
Swiss franc's good fortune makes World Economic Forum a lot more expensive for Americans.

Airing on Thursday, January 15, 2015: Big banks are reporting lower revenue, in part because of less trading. Are lower profits for banks, especially from trading, necessarily bad for the economy? Plus, the Swiss franc soared today after Switzerland decided to abandon the cap on the currency value against the euro. We look at what was behind the decision and what difference it will make. Finally, President Obama proposes seven days a year of paid sick leave, arguing that providing more sick leave makes businesses more competitive and workers more productive. We examine the economics of the sick day. 

Music from the episode