Business http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1006&ft=1&f=1006 Find the latest business news with reports on Wall Street, interest rates, banking, companies, and U.S. and world financial markets. Subscribe to the Business Story of the Day podcast. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:55:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Business http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1006&ft=1&f=1006 This 9-Year-Old Girl Told McDonald's CEO: Stop Tricking Kids Over the years, McDonald's has gotten a lot of flack for marketing to kids. At a shareholders meeting Thursday morning, Hannah Robertson, age 9, took the fast-food giant's CEO to task. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:55:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/23/186304643/this-9-year-old-girl-told-mcdonalds-ceo-stop-tricking-kids?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/23/186304643/this-9-year-old-girl-told-mcdonalds-ceo-stop-tricking-kids?ft=1&f=1006 Over the years, McDonald's has gotten a lot of flack for marketing to kids. At a shareholders meeting Thursday morning, Hannah Robertson, age 9, took the fast-food giant's CEO to task.

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]]> Being Blind To Financial Need: Is It Worth It? Millions of students rely on loans and grants for their studies. But with universities strapped for cash, fewer schools are able to admit students regardless of their financial need. Host Michel Martin asks the President of Iowa's Grinnell College, Dr. Raynard Kington, why his school considered putting a halt to need-blind admissions. Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186262927&ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186262927&ft=1&f=1006 Millions of students rely on loans and grants for their studies. But with universities strapped for cash, fewer schools are able to admit students regardless of their financial need. Host Michel Martin asks the President of Iowa's Grinnell College, Dr. Raynard Kington, why his school considered putting a halt to need-blind admissions.

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]]> Production Of New Vehicles Predicted To Hit 2002 Levels Strong new-vehicle sales lead industry analysts to revise their forecasts for North American production levels in 2013, with J.D. Power & Associates and LMC Automotive predicting 16 million units will be produced — a mark not hit since 2002. Thu, 23 May 2013 11:15:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/23/186257948/production-of-new-vehicles-predicted-to-hit-2002-levels?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/23/186257948/production-of-new-vehicles-predicted-to-hit-2002-levels?ft=1&f=1006 Strong new-vehicle sales lead industry analysts to revise their forecasts for North American production levels in 2013, with J.D. Power & Associates and LMC Automotive predicting 16 million units will be produced — a mark not hit since 2002.

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]]> Jobless Claims Drop, But Stay In Recent Range There was more of a decline than economists expected, but the weekly pace hasn't really changed much since late 2011. Thu, 23 May 2013 08:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/23/186234164/jobless-claims-drop-but-stay-in-recent-range?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/23/186234164/jobless-claims-drop-but-stay-in-recent-range?ft=1&f=1006 There was more of a decline than economists expected, but the weekly pace hasn't really changed much since late 2011.

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]]> IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members On Wednesday, Lois Lerner, the IRS official overseeing the tax-exempt organizations office, refused to testify during a hearing on Capitol Hill, and was attacked by some Republicans on the House committee. Her brief appearance was the beginning of a five-hour session marked by angry outbursts and allegations of political motives. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:38:16 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186179223/irs-officials-silence-riles-house-committee-members?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186179223/irs-officials-silence-riles-house-committee-members?ft=1&f=1006 On Wednesday, Lois Lerner, the IRS official overseeing the tax-exempt organizations office, refused to testify during a hearing on Capitol Hill, and was attacked by some Republicans on the House committee. Her brief appearance was the beginning of a five-hour session marked by angry outbursts and allegations of political motives.

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]]> When Will Fed Officials Ease Off The Accelerator? Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Wednesday that the central bank is not ready to scale back on economic stimulus. But he suggested the Fed may start to pare back bond purchases if the economy picks up momentum. Stocks fell following Bernanke's remarks. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:38:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186175413/when-will-fed-officials-ease-off-the-accelerator?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186175413/when-will-fed-officials-ease-off-the-accelerator?ft=1&f=1006 Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Wednesday that the central bank is not ready to scale back on economic stimulus. But he suggested the Fed may start to pare back bond purchases if the economy picks up momentum. Stocks fell following Bernanke's remarks.

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]]> Goldman Sachs Is Doing Well, So Is Its CEO Lloyd Blankfein Big bank Goldman Sachs holds its annual shareholder meeting Thursday. Five years ago, during the financial crisis, Goldman's CEO Lloyd Blankfein was a poster boy for overpaid executives. To find out how much he is making now, Renee Montagne talks Neil Weinberg, editor in chief of <em>American Banker</em>. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:38:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186176950/goldman-sachs-is-doing-well-so-is-its-ceo-lloyd-bankfein?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186176950/goldman-sachs-is-doing-well-so-is-its-ceo-lloyd-bankfein?ft=1&f=1006 Big bank Goldman Sachs holds its annual shareholder meeting Thursday. Five years ago, during the financial crisis, Goldman's CEO Lloyd Blankfein was a poster boy for overpaid executives. To find out how much he is making now, Renee Montagne talks Neil Weinberg, editor in chief of American Banker.

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]]> College Students Wait To See If Loan Rates Double College students could end up paying a higher interest rate on their government subsidized loans unless Congress steps in. In a replay of last year's battle, Republicans, Democrats and the Obama administration all have competing proposals. A vote is scheduled in the House of Representatives Thursday. But with no consensus in sight, it's not clear if lawmakers can keep interest rates from doubling on July 1. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195963/college-students-eye-calendar-wait-to-see-if-loan-rates-double?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195963/college-students-eye-calendar-wait-to-see-if-loan-rates-double?ft=1&f=1006 College students could end up paying a higher interest rate on their government subsidized loans unless Congress steps in. In a replay of last year's battle, Republicans, Democrats and the Obama administration all have competing proposals. A vote is scheduled in the House of Representatives Thursday. But with no consensus in sight, it's not clear if lawmakers can keep interest rates from doubling on July 1.

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]]> Tesla Proves Critics Wrong Three years ago President Obama's green energy loan program gave a $455 million federal loan to electric car maker Tesla. Critics bashed the loan as risky. On Wednesday, Tesla announced it had paid that loan back in full – and early. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195967/business-news?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195967/business-news?ft=1&f=1006 Three years ago President Obama's green energy loan program gave a $455 million federal loan to electric car maker Tesla. Critics bashed the loan as risky. On Wednesday, Tesla announced it had paid that loan back in full – and early.

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]]> Venezuela Suffers Through Toilet Paper Shortage Venezuela is rich in oil, but relies on imports for many basic goods — including toothpaste, soap and toilet paper. For weeks now the country has had a chronic toilet paper shortage. Lawmakers voted to approve a $79 million credit to the government to resolve the issue. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195969/the-last-word-in-business?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195969/the-last-word-in-business?ft=1&f=1006 Venezuela is rich in oil, but relies on imports for many basic goods — including toothpaste, soap and toilet paper. For weeks now the country has had a chronic toilet paper shortage. Lawmakers voted to approve a $79 million credit to the government to resolve the issue.

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]]> Judge: Unredeemed Borders Gift Cards Are Worthless A Manhattan judge upholds a lower court ruling that $210 million worth of unredeemed gift cards from the defunct book chain are no longer valid. Wed, 22 May 2013 19:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/22/186121063/judge-unredeemed-borders-gift-cards-are-worthless?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/22/186121063/judge-unredeemed-borders-gift-cards-are-worthless?ft=1&f=1006 A Manhattan judge upholds a lower court ruling that $210 million worth of unredeemed gift cards from the defunct book chain are no longer valid.

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]]> Bernanke: Economy Still Too Shaky To End Low Interest Rates Over the past several years, the Federal Reserve has added trillions of dollars to its balance sheet, purchasing bonds in order to stimulate the economy. Many investors have been concerned that when the Fed starts selling off those bonds it could create turmoil in the markets. But in congressional testimony Wednesday, Fed Chief Ben Bernanke said the Fed might not sell off those bonds at all. Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186082407&ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186082407&ft=1&f=1006 Over the past several years, the Federal Reserve has added trillions of dollars to its balance sheet, purchasing bonds in order to stimulate the economy. Many investors have been concerned that when the Fed starts selling off those bonds it could create turmoil in the markets. But in congressional testimony Wednesday, Fed Chief Ben Bernanke said the Fed might not sell off those bonds at all.

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]]> Go East, Young Marijuana Dealer A San Francisco dealer quadrupled his income by moving to New York after California legalized medical marijuana. Wed, 22 May 2013 14:42:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/05/22/185832919/go-east-young-marijuana-dealer?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/05/22/185832919/go-east-young-marijuana-dealer?ft=1&f=1006 A San Francisco dealer quadrupled his income by moving to New York after California legalized medical marijuana.

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]]> Bernanke Hints That The Economy Still Needs Help The Fed chairman cautioned Wednesday that if interest rates were to start rising now, the economy could slump. Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors said sales of existing homes rose — and would have been even stronger if not for tight inventory. Wed, 22 May 2013 11:20:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/22/186015232/bernanke-hints-economy-still-needs-help-home-sales-rise?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/22/186015232/bernanke-hints-economy-still-needs-help-home-sales-rise?ft=1&f=1006 The Fed chairman cautioned Wednesday that if interest rates were to start rising now, the economy could slump. Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors said sales of existing homes rose — and would have been even stronger if not for tight inventory.

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]]> Court Rules Vacation Rental Site Illegal In New York In New York, a judge has dealt a setback to Airbnb, the popular website for short term apartment rentals. The judge ruled an Airbnb user violated a New York City law when he rented a room to a visitor from out of town. The judge's decision casts doubt on New Yorkers' ability to make use of the site legally. Wed, 22 May 2013 06:04:13 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/22/185937212/court-rules-vacation-rental-site-illegal-in-new-york?ft=1&f=1006 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/22/185937212/court-rules-vacation-rental-site-illegal-in-new-york?ft=1&f=1006 In New York, a judge has dealt a setback to Airbnb, the popular website for short term apartment rentals. The judge ruled an Airbnb user violated a New York City law when he rented a room to a visitor from out of town. The judge's decision casts doubt on New Yorkers' ability to make use of the site legally.

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