Feb 13, 2008

Marketplace for Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008

Segments From this episode

Retail-sales increase may be misleading

by Bob Moon

Feb 13, 2008

The Commerce Department reported a 0.3% increase in retail sales for January, causing some celebration among stock market traders. A closer look at the numbers, however, reveals they may not be worth celebrating. Bob Moon reports.

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Credit card companies reluctant to lend

by John Dimsdale

Feb 13, 2008

Despite the Federal Reserve's efforts to bring interest rates down, many credit card users are finding their rates and fees have gone up. Many banks have become reluctant to lower interest rates because of delinquent payers and mortgage defaults. John Dimsdale reports.

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Researchers developing wearable energy

by Marketplace Staff

Feb 13, 2008

Nanotechnology researchers are developing a new power-producing T-shirt, which will generate electricity as you wear it. Janet Babin reports on what it takes to make a power shirt for that power suit.

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Net neutrality bill comes to Congress

by Jeremy Hobson

Feb 13, 2008

A bipartisan bill has been brought to Congress that would give the Federal Communications Commission more authority to ensure Internet service providers don't alter free and equal access to the Web. Jeremy Hobson reports.

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Virtual real estate booming

by Lisa Napoli

Feb 13, 2008

A boom in virtual real estate has caused generic domain names like Vodka.com to be worth millions of dollars. Even private equity firms have been injecting money into domain name companies. Lisa Napoli reports on what caused the growth and how long it could last.

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Countries alter food prices with tariffs

by Marketplace Staff

Feb 13, 2008

As food prices rise around the world, a number of food-importing countries are lowering tariffs and food-exporting countries are raising them. Kai Ryssdal talks to Homi Kharas from the Brookings Institution about tariffs' benefits and drawbacks.

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Lobbyists are important for democracy

by Marketplace Staff

Feb 13, 2008

Although attacking lobbyists is a tactic for all the presidential candidates this year, commentator Brian Pallasch says lobbying is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution, and lobbyists are actually an important part of the public-policy process.

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Diamonds: Not every girl's best friend

by Caitlan Reeg

Feb 13, 2008

With Valentine's Day around the corner, many television ads are telling men to buy diamonds for that special someone. But Caitlan Carroll reports that not all girls will swoon at a gift of expensive jewelry.

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Music from the episode

Love Is A Battlefield Pat Benatar

Golden Hill Tristeza

Messages Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

IMpossible Figurine

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