Economy

Tim Kilroy runs a business from his home in Arlington, Mass. His insurance company quit covering the long-acting Ritalin that helps him manage his ADHD.

Fight To Lower Drug Prices Forces Some To Switch Medication

1:28pm January 25, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

Health insurers are trying to spark a price war by refusing to pay for some brand-name medications unless they get a big discount. This forces some people to change their prescriptions.

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Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Jan. 4.

Analysts: Markets May Be Underestimating U.S. Economic Resilience

12:03pm January 25, 2016

by John Ydstie

Stock markets are often seen as a predictor of what's ahead for the economy. But some say this year's falling markets are crying wolf. "I think financial markets have overreacted," says one economist.

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Puerto Rico faces a financial crisis with a debt of $72 billion.

As Debt Talks Hit An Impasse, What's Next For Puerto Rico?

8:19am January 25, 2016

by NPR Staff

Negotiations to restructure the U.S. territory's significant debt hit a speed bump Friday. As Congress considers its next step, economist Rosario Rivera explains the origins of the financial crisis.

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A customer fills up at a gas station in Chillicothe, Ill., in December. Low prices have meant big savings for consumers, but urban planners worry that cheap gas will encourage sprawl.

$1.22 A Gallon: Cheap Gas Raises Fears Of Urban Sprawl

6:20am January 23, 2016

by Mandie Trimble

Gas prices in Columbus, Ohio, are among the lowest in the country. Drivers appreciate the savings, but anti-sprawl advocates say cheap gas doesn't help their cause.

Economy

What Do Bears And Bulls Have To Do With Our Investments?

4:20pm January 22, 2016

by Tanya Ballard Brown

While experts focus on trying to explain the stock market's jumps and dives, we spend a little time cutting through the bull to get some different answers.

With Sanctions Eased, What Kind Of Trade Can Companies Do With Iran?

6:38am January 22, 2016

by Jackie Northam

In the wake of the Iran nuclear deal, one sanctions lawyer is deluged with calls from U.S. businesses asking if they can enter the huge Iranian market. But the limits are tight and the risks steep.

As Skilled Workers Abandon Greece, Rebuilding Its Economy Gets Harder

5:13am January 22, 2016

by Jacob Goldstein

If Greece isn't a good place to do business anymore, then businesses will leave. When solid businesses close up or leave, then Greece becomes even worse for the remaining firms.

China Captures The Attention Of Davos Economic Forum Participants

5:13am January 22, 2016

China concerns are part of the reason global stock markets have been so troubled. Renee Montagne talks to Amy Wilkinson, author and a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Uber driver Karim Amrani sits in his car parked near the San Francisco International Airport in July.

Business Travelers Often Skip The Rental Car, Use Uber Instead

3:21pm January 21, 2016

by Aarti Shahani

They increasingly are relying on ride-hailing services, more than car rentals or taxis, according to new data. Analysts say the car rental firms need to catch up, with more convenient features.

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Trader Michael Capolino (right) watches prices on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday. Stocks endured another bloodbath, and oil fell below $27 a barrel.

Wall Street Has Another Brutal Day, As Stock Prices Plummet

7:11pm January 20, 2016

by Jim Zarroli

Fears about slowing global growth have sent the Dow Jones industrial average down by about 10 percent this month since the start of the year.

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