How Likely Is A Bailout For The Auto Industry? November 7, 2008 • The traditional American auto industry is on the brink of a collapse. Ford Motors says it lost $129 million in the third quarter. We explore how the government is likely to aid automakers.
Walmart Thrives On Candy And Costumes November 6, 2008 • Sales figures out Thursday are the worst in decades. Still, there's a bright spot: Walmart. The world's largest retailer says its sales of Halloween merchandise bolstered its October sales. Analysts are predicting this Christmas shopping season will be the worst in two decades.
Can TV Survive Without Pricy Political Ads? November 4, 2008 • The gravy train of political ads comes to an end Tuesday. Throughout the summer and fall, local television stations and networks have cashed in on big ad buys from the various campaigns. The total spent on political ads is estimated at several hundred million dollars.
The Future Of Automakers And Gas November 3, 2008 • Gas is back below $3-a-gallon and thanks to new incentives, Americans are buying trucks again. This news comes as the Treasury Department turned down a request by General Motors to help finance the automaker's possible merger with Chrysler.
One Fifth Homeowners Have Mortgage Problem October 31, 2008 • New numbers out Friday say that 20 percent of homeowners are upside-down on their mortgages. One out of every five mortgage borrowers owed more than their homes' worth in the third quarter.
A Continued Decline Likely For The GDP October 30, 2008 • The economy experienced its sharpest contraction in seven years during the last quarter. Consumers limited spending and businesses cut jobs and production from July to September. What does it all mean for the country?
GM Asks Government For $10B October 28, 2008 • General Motors is asking the U.S. government to buy $10 billion in equity investment. It would be an unprecedented rescue package in support of a merger between GM and Chrysler. The government funding would include roughly $3 billion in exchange for preferred stock in the merged automaker.
Will Production Cuts Boost OPEC Profits? October 24, 2008 • The oil cartel OPEC has decided to slash production by 1.5 million barrels a day in an effort to boost sinking oil prices. Will the move work?
Drug Companies Thriving Amid Crisis October 23, 2008 • As investors shy away from tech stocks, it looks like they're turning to pharmaceuticals. Third quarter earnings show that big U.S. drug companies did better than expected.
Who Will Take Responsibility For Crisis? October 22, 2008 • Companies like Standard & Poor's and Moody's were responsible for giving the seal of approval to questionable investments in the subprime mortgage market. Now the people who made those decisions will be grilled by Congress.
Auto Industry In Turmoil Billionaire Kerkorian Cuts Stake In Ford October 21, 2008 • Kerkorian's buy in to the troubled automaker was seen as a huge vote of confidence in the company's plans to turn business around. What does it mean that he's weighing pulling out all together?
Fed Tries To Offer Economic Reassurance October 20, 2008 • Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warns that it will be a while before the economy can bounce back and that he supports a new stimulus plan from Congress. We examine the specifics.
Volatile Oil Prices Leave OPEC Worried October 17, 2008 • OPEC called an emergency meeting for next week to address fluctuating oil prices. Consumers should enjoy the price break, but ultimately this could be bad news for everyone, an analyst says.
Who Is Going To Jail For The Economic Collapse? October 16, 2008 • Federal authorities are looking into the demise of Washington Mutual, the largest bank failure in U.S. history. Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is investigating what he calls "unwarranted and outrageous" spending by American International Group. We examine how to prosecute a financial crisis.
Borrowing Gets A Little Easier October 15, 2008 • The "London Interbank Offered Rate," the interest rate at which banks can borrow funds from other banks, has dropped slightly for the third consecutive day. It's still not good compared to the days prior to the collapse of Lehman Brothers, but it suggests that more lending is going on.