Marketplace Morning Report (Economics)

After a week that included Facebook's IPO fizzle, talks of a Greek exit, and the impending debt ceiling showdown, the economic landscape may be taking a toll on our psyche. After all the doom and gloom in the worldwide economy, we get a nun's take on the economic recovery in her community and her local service work. The ketchup bottle just got a major upgrade thanks to a team of M.I.T. scientists -- no more whacking the bottle to squeeze out the last dregs. And the automaker Ford cashes in...

If you're looking for a safe place to park your money, think Ford. Moody's has boosted the automaker's debt to investment-grade, giving a thumbs up to a long financial turnaround for the company. Today, struggling tech giant Hewlett-Packard will announce whether the company will shed tens of thousands its workers. With Memorial Day approaching, parents begin to consider summer plans and the value of camp for their kids. This week Target launched a line of Gay Pride T-shirts on its website in...

Gas prices continue to soar in the U.S., but Americans haven't yet flocked to alternative fuels like natural gas in a big way. Billionaire investor T. Boone Pickens expected us to -- but after being one of the industry's biggest supporters, he's now backed out of natural gas stocks all together. In New York last night, tens of thousands of orthodox Jews gathered at Citi Field to discuss the pros and cons of using the Internet. And America's second largest movie theater chain, AMC, has been...

Shareholders of Chesapeake Energy are asking a judge to delay the company's annual meeting so they can get more information about their CEO's compensation and his personal financial interest in drilling natural gas wells. Chicago is getting ready for all the world leaders who will be in town for the big NATO meeting that starts today -- and for the busloads of people who will be coming into town to protest. What is a joint venture, and why is it worthwhile for companies? And Los Angeles...

Chipotle Mexican Grill opens a new location every few days, and has seen several quarters of growth while other chains falter. We talk to Steve Ells, CEO, about his company's recipe for success (hint: lots of guac). With shares of Facebook about to go on the market after months of anticipation, how much of a chance does the average shareholder even have of scooping some up? JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon will face shareholders at the bank's annual meeting today in Tampa, and Europeans will...

JPMorgan Chasehas made a $2 billion blunder, its CEO Jamie Dimon announced. The loss involves bad bets apparently involving the bank selling insurance contracts against losses on corporate debt. A new study finds that millennials are less likely to be brand loyal. A group of climate activists, including a few teens, is suing the federal government over inaction on climate change.

Despite holding elections over the weekend, no new government has formed in Greece. That's putting the future of its bailout in jeopardy. Here in the U.S., how are banks faring adopting the mortgage settlement rules? And unlimited data plans, unlimited airline miles, lifetime subscriptions -- is the all-you-can-eat model not a good one for companies?

All eyes are on Europe this morning after voters in France's presidential run-off election delivered a victory to Socialist candidate Francois Hollande over incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy. The win is the latest signal in Europe that voters are turning against harsh austerity measures aimed at curbing the European debt crisis, and the politicians who supported them. Also on the program, Hollywood might be coming to the aid of California's State Parks Foundation to prevent up to a quarter of the...

After last year's tsunami in Japan, millions of tons of debris floated across the Pacific, some of it reaching all the way to the West Coast of the U.S. Now, someone is going to have to pay to clean it up. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner are in China today and some of the focus is on on a blind Chinese dissident who took refuge at the U.S. embassy in Beijing. And this election year,you're going to hear a lot about government regulations, and whether...

Exxon Mobil trades off with Apple as the top company in the U.S., but most Americans still know very little about it. A new book out today could change that. Later this morning, we'll find out whether the big auto companies were still selling lots of cars in April. And what do high sales mean for auto workers? Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines is buying an oil refinery in an attempt to cut costs.

Billionaire businessman Sir Richard Branson, the chairman of Virgin Group, was in Washington yesterday for a forum hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on how businesses can help solve the world's problems. But why has he been able to succeed on a platform of "screw business and usual." Samsung reported record quarterly profits today, driven in big part by sales of is smartphones. So should global smartphone leader Apple be worried? And later today, Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal sits...

Today, President Obama will be in Iowa talking to college students about their student loans. Are the cheaper groceries available wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam's Club worth the price of membership? Residents in two towns -- halfway across the world from one another -- are putting together a tourism partnership based around their less-than-scintillating names. And a study from the group Climate Central says America's energy industry is at risk, because sea levels are rising along the...

France is one step closer to replacing its conservative president with a socialist one. Ahead of the primaries tomorrow, Marketplace's David Gura visited two zip codes in Manhattan separated by Central Park which have donated the most money of any two neighborhoods in the country -- just to opposite candidates. There's a new lightbulb on sale this morning for the low low price of $60. And months after the Occupy Wall Street movement began, some members are looking towards public office.

Spain and France will attempt to sell billions of dollars worth of government bonds today to raise cash. While other big box stores seem to be in trouble, why is Guitar Center thriving? At Whole Foods this weekend, fish produced in an unsustainable way will officially be banned from the stores. And how zoning laws could change education for kids in poor neighborhoods.

You have until midnight tonight to file your taxes with the IRS. And if you're thinking about deducting a phony business lunch or padding your mileage -- you're not alone. Speaking of the IRS, it wants to require U.S. banks to report the interest payments they make to wealthy foreigners. That's creating some trouble down on the Mexican border where banks are worried about losing customers. Yesterday, Argentina announced plans to take back its oil industry from a Spanish company. And the...