Accessibility links
Business and Financial News 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.

Business

Saturday

Economy

Puerto Rico Headed For Default As Congress Tackles Relief Plan

The U.S. territory is expected to default May 1 on a debt payment of nearly half a billion dollars. Scott Simon examines the impact of a default with Wall Street Journal correspondent Nick Timiraos.

Puerto Rico Headed For Default As Congress Tackles Relief Plan

Listen · 3:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476272532/476272533" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Technology

Apple's Lousy Week Could Signal Times Of Trouble For Tech Giant

Apple got hit with a lot of bad news this week. First, the company posted its first quarterly revenue drop since 2003. And then billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn revealed that he has dumped all of his shares in Apple. NPR explores whether the company is really in trouble or if is this all just a bump in the road.

Apple's Lousy Week Could Signal Times Of Trouble For Tech Giant

Listen · 3:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476203963/476203964" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Cracker Jack's Prize In The Box Will Now Be Digitized

You're going to have to work a little harder to get your Cracker Jack prize. Mike Mozart/Flickr hide caption

toggle caption
Mike Mozart/Flickr

The Two-Way

Cracker Jack's Prize In The Box Will Now Be Digitized

Frito-Lay is upending its tradition of including a physical prize with the peanut-and-popcorn treat. Now you'll get a QR code to scan for "mobile digital experiences." Cracker Jack fans aren't amused.

Cracker Jack's Prize In The Box Will Now Be Digitized

Listen · 1:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476183872/476206159" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
U.S. Steel Says China Is Using Cyber Stealth To Steal Its Secrets

A steel mill in Tangshan, in China's Hebei province. U.S. Steel claims that the Chinese government dumps steel at unfair prices and uses computer hackers to steal intellectual property. STR/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
STR/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

U.S. Steel Says China Is Using Cyber Stealth To Steal Its Secrets

The steelmaker is asking a U.S. agency to investigate its claims that the Chinese government not only dumps steel at unfair prices, but also uses computer hackers to steal intellectual property.

Germany's Beer Purity Law Is 500 Years Old. Is It Past Its Sell-By Date?

A waiter carries beers at the Theresienwiese fair grounds of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, last September. For centuries, a German law has stipulated that beer can only be made from four ingredients. But as Germany embraces craft beer, some believe the law impedes good brewing. Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/AFP/Getty Images

The Salt

Germany's Beer Purity Law Is 500 Years Old. Is It Past Its Sell-By Date?

For centuries, German law has stipulated that beer can only be made from four ingredients. But as Germany embraces craft beer, some believe the law impedes good brewing.

Germany's Beer Purity Law Is 500 Years Old. Is It Past Its Sell-By Date?

Listen · 3:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/475138367/476380489" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Les Waas, Creator Of Iconic Mister Softee Jingle, Dies At 94

Les Waas, a beloved prankster, wrote the memorable song that drew children to the Mister Softee ice cream truck, among other well-known tunes. He passed away earlier this month, at 94 years old.

Les Waas, Creator Of Iconic Mister Softee Jingle, Dies At 94

Listen · 0:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476124477/476124478" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

When A Resume Of Failures Becomes A Recipe For Success

When a friend suffered what he called "a professional setback," Johannes Haushofer put together his "CV of failures." Haushofer says failure is an essential part of what is means to be a scientist.

When A Resume Of Failures Becomes A Recipe For Success

Listen · 1:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476124547/476124548" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Health Care

To Lure Patients, Pennsylvania Hospital Refunds Unhappy Customers

As patients increasingly have more choice in hospitals, hospitals look to stand out. Geisinger Health is taking cue from retail and refunding unsatisfied customers. Experts say that's smart business.

To Lure Patients, Pennsylvania Hospital Refunds Unhappy Customers

Listen · 3:32
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476124498/476124499" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Economy

Economists Say Trade Is Good, As Long Resources Are Refocused On Workers

As opposed to renegotiating trade deals, some economists argue a better approach would be to support those who've lost jobs. The U.S. has underfunded employment programs, compared to other economies.

Economists Say Trade Is Good, As Long Resources Are Refocused On Workers

Listen · 4:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476124438/476124457" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Comcast Buys DreamWorks Animation For $3.8 Billion In Race Against Disney

Cable industry analyst Craig Moffett says this move puts Comcast in closer competition with Disney — not necessarily on the big screen, but on television and among other comcast-owned franchises.

Comcast Buys DreamWorks Animation For $3.8 Billion In Race Against Disney

Listen · 1:30
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476124505/476124506" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Why Chobani Gave Employees A Financial Stake In Company's Future

Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya (left) presents an employee with shares of the company on Tuesday at the Chobani plant in New Berlin, in upstate New York. Johannes Arlt hide caption

toggle caption
Johannes Arlt

The Salt

Why Chobani Gave Employees A Financial Stake In Company's Future

Workers at the yogurt-maker got a potential windfall when the company said it would give them shares that could be worth up to 10 percent of the firm. It reflects a rising trend in employee ownership.

Why Chobani Gave Employees A Financial Stake In Company's Future

Listen · 3:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/476021520/476060579" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
In The Rural Northwest, A Growing Market For Survivalist Homes

Theresa Mondale, a broker with United Country Real Estate in western Montana, says her sales of off-grid, "survivalist" properties have risen by 50 percent over the past several years. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Kirk Siegler/NPR

National

In The Rural Northwest, A Growing Market For Survivalist Homes

A Montana couple is looking to meet a growing demand in the real estate business, at least in the rural Northwest: off-grid properties that include bunkers and secret rooms.

In The Rural Northwest, A Growing Market For Survivalist Homes

Listen · 5:48
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/474673707/476060567" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript