Economy

Federal Reserve Expected To Raise Interest Rates For First Time In 7 Years

1:54pm December 15, 2015

by John Ydstie

The Federal Reserve has held interest rates at super low levels for years in an effort to bolster the economy, but it is expected to raise rates for the first time in seven years this week.

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Jennifer Carter, 30, stands in a dormitory area that she shares with her two young children at The Road Home Community Winter Shelter facility in Midvale, Utah.

There's Shelter, And Then There's Housing. Utah Claims Muted Victory

10:19am December 15, 2015

by Kelly McEvers

Utah has reduced its chronically homeless population by 91 percent since 2005. But like many places, it lacks affordable housing, leaving more than 14,000 people in the state homeless this year.

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Ambulances lined up following two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013.

Looking At Violence In America With A Financial Lens

3:52am December 15, 2015

by NPR Staff

Health economist Ted Miller analyzes the financial toll of violence like mass shootings. He says the total cost of firearm injury in America is $235 billion a year.

Shell's Jack Pine Mine near Fort MacKay, Alberta. The largest trucks, called "heavy haulers," can hold 400 tons of oil sands material. It takes 2 tons to produce one barrel of oil.

Between Cheap Gas And Carbon Caps, Oil Sands Face Uncertain Fate

7:57pm December 14, 2015

by Jeff Brady

Canada's potentially lucrative oil sands business faces serious economic challenges. It has some concerned about its future as environmental critics look for ways to keep the oil in the ground.

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What's Driving The Electric Car Trend In China?

7:02pm December 14, 2015

by Frank Langfitt

Increased electric car sales are good for a country with a big pollution problem. Until recently only a few clean cars were on the road. The sales are also a bright spot for China's economy.

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Economy

Rout Continues In Junk Bond Market After 2 Funds Are Liquidated

5:54pm December 14, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

Dozens of companies see the value of their high-yield corporate bonds fall, as investors worry they won't be able to pay back what they owe.

A computer screen displays the homepage of Twitter on April 3, 2009.

For Millennials, Rising Interest Rates Sound Like Olden Tales

4:59pm December 14, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

The last time Fed policymakers raised rates, young Americans' lives were different. They couldn't share the news or comment via Twitter on iPhones and iPads because those things didn't exist.

Ford CEO Outlines Plans To Compete With Ride-Hailing Services

4:57pm December 14, 2015

Ford Motor Company plans to roll out a fleet of hybrid cars, and it's also developing new ride-hailing services. This is Ford's latest effort to not just sell cars, but drive people and gain entry into the ride-hailing economy dominated by Uber and Lyft. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with the Ford CEO Mark Fields about the company's move into other markets and the future of the auto industry.

Economy

Newell Rubbermaid Buys Jarden, Uniting Two Big Consumer Brands

4:26pm December 14, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

The companies are known for many familiar products, such as Graco strollers, Papermate pens, Crock-Pot cookware and Aerobed. Their $16 billion deal is the latest in a series of big mergers this year.

Economy

Shell Plans To Cut 2,800 Jobs After It Takes Over BG Group

10:39am December 14, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

Oil and natural gas prices are still low so companies are looking to save money. The 2,800 represent about 3 percent of the combined workforce.