- Wednesday, January 7, 2009
- Listen to the latest shows
-
Putting the bad numbers into context
Numbers released today show that November wasn't a good month for factory orders or home sales. Both fell. But there is a little bit of good news in the services sector. Bob Moon reports on the latest numbers. More»
-
Peer pressure pushes people to go green
A growing body of research shows the most effective way to get people to go green is not through do-good appeals, but rather peer pressure. Sarah Gardner reports. More»
-
Asphalt shortage makes recovery rough
Barack Obama wants to spend nearly $300 billion on infrastructure projects. But as Joel Rose reports, road repairs will require a lot of asphalt and there might not be enough. More»
Marketplace Scratch Pad
News and views on the day's business and financial happenings.
A painful rut
Not that we needed it, but today the Federal Reserve provided insight into last month’s decision to slash interest rates to near-zero percent. The AP reports that despite the aggressive move, minutes of the Fed meeting show officials recognized:
“the economic outlook would remain weak for a time and the downside risks to economic activity would be substantial.”
- Jan 6, 2009 12:02 PM PT — Doug Krizner
- 0 Comments
Changes for iTunes
Apple is making two big changes to its iTunes music store: Download prices will have a new structure and, more significantly, songs will be sold without anticopying protection. paidContent quotes Forrester Research music analyst Mark Mulligan:
“This is overdue and needed to differentiate premium from subsidized services like Nokia’s Comes With Music.”
- Jan 6, 2009 11:30 AM PT — Doug Krizner
- 0 Comments
When saving is bad
Before the financial crisis hit, some of the brightest economic minds were worried about three things: the housing bubble, greater complexity on Wall Street, and the savings crisis. In 2007, the housing bubble burst. In 2008, Wall Street unraveled. In 2009, it’s Act Three, according to Big Money’s Mark Gimein:
Thanks to the catastrophic savings deficit of the last decade, we now have on our hands a spending and credit crisis that will make our recession much harder to solve.
- Jan 6, 2009 10:38 AM PT — Doug Krizner
- 1 Comments
Broken billionaire
One of Germany’s richest investors committed suicide today, after his business empire began to crumble under mounting debt. Reuters quotes the statement from Adolf Merckle’s family:
“…the uncertainties of the last few weeks and his powerlessness to act, have broken the passionate family entrepreneur and he took his own life.”
- Jan 6, 2009 9:44 AM PT — Doug Krizner
- 0 Comments
Net worth-less
U.S. households worth at least $1 million have seen their assets drop 30% during the financial crisis, according to a new report from Spectrem Group. But what about the really big fat cats? Clusterstock has produced a slide show featuring Wall Street’s 15 biggest money losers.
- Jan 6, 2009 7:45 AM PT — Doug Krizner
- 0 Comments
$50 a barrel
The dispute between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas has pushed crude oil prices to 5 week highs. Bloomberg quotes Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix:
“If a solution for a return to normality is not found very quickly, this should result in incremental demand on fuel oil, naphtha, heating oil to substitute for the missing natural gas.”
- Jan 6, 2009 5:55 AM PT — Doug Krizner
- 0 Comments
Fallout: America's Financial Crisis
- Podcast »
After the Bell
Listen to Marketplace's review of the week's top stories on America's financial crisis. Subscribe now.
* An iTunes "Best Podcasts of 2008" selection.
- The Whiteboard »
Quantitative easing
Now the Federal Reserve has effectively cut the target lending rate to zero, it only has one more weapon in its arsenal. Quantitative easing. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what this "nuclear option" it is, and what the Fed hopes it'll do. Watch the video.
- Getting Personal »
Q: Online savings
I recently received a $25 check from ING DIRECT which I can deposit with them if I open an account in the "Orange Savings account." They claim to be members of the FDIC... I'm nervous about doing this if this is not a legitimate company. I am 78 years old and cannot afford to make unwise financial decisions. Thanks for your help. Lois, Benzonia, MI Read Chris Farrell's answer »
- Special Reports and Series
Taking Stock »
Conversations with individuals who can give us the long view of our economic situation. Get their views.
Here's what I'm doing »
A wide range of people tell how they're handling investments and savings in this tough economy. Get their stories.
What's the fix? »
Economists, financial experts, business leaders and others on how to deal with the current economic crisis. Get a fix.
Who can you trust?
Marketplace Money asks how we got into this financial mess and who we can trust to guide us back to stability. Find out.
Road to Ruin?
Marketplace goes on the road to talk to Americans about the economic challenges they're facing. Hit the road.
- Humor
“In this time of crisis we have not one, but TWO presidents on the case. One is addressing the issues, while the other is unveiling his portrait. Do we really have to wait till January 20th? Can we just have him already?”
- Help us cover the story
How is the financial crisis affecting you?
America's financial crisis isn't going away anytime soon. We're looking for your help in covering the story. Share your thoughts, concerns and experiences by joining our Public Insight Network.
Most popular stories online
sponsor
Marketplace Blogs
- Makin' Money: Tess Vigeland discusses each week's show.
And if you threw it all a-way
- Greenwash Brigade: Opinions from our team of environmental pros.
On how to find green cleaning, not green washing
The Specials
Conversations from the Corner Office
Marketplace goes one-on-one with CEOs, company founders, head honchos...
Marketplace on iTunes U
Marketplace is on Apple's online education platform, iTunesU. Get free downloads in subjects like History, Science, Business and more. Study up
sponsor
