ECONOMY

Beijing Government Spurred Ordinary Investors To Make Risky Margin Bets

1:21pm August 28, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

China's main stock market looks like any other but there are important differences. Chinese investors have seen dramatic losses this year. Many got in the market because the government encouraged it.

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Almonds hang from a branch at an orchard in Firebaugh, Calif. Despite the strain of prolonged drought, in 2014, California farms sold $54 billion worth of crops like almonds or grapes, and animal products like milk.

Despite The Drought, California Farms See Record Sales In 2014

4:03pm August 27, 2015

by Dan Charles

While the drought has put a strain on California agriculture, its farms actually set a record for total sales — $54 billion — in 2014. How? By pumping more water from their wells.

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Strawberry pickers in Watsonville, Calif. Many farmworkers in the state are out of work because of the severe drought. Those who do have a job are often working harder for less money.

Farmworkers See Jobs, Earnings Shrivel In California Drought

3:52pm August 27, 2015

by Lesley McClurg

More than 21,000 are out of work this year from California's drought, a study says. The majority are farmworkers, and those lucky enough to have a job are often working longer hours for less money.

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Economy

U.S. Markets End Slump, Posting Large Gains As Dow Rises 619 Points

1:06pm August 27, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Both the Dow Jones index and the S&P 500 saw gains of nearly 4 percent; the Nasdaq index rose even higher.

China's Market Turmoil Seeps Into The Auto Industry

6:12pm August 26, 2015

by Frank Langfitt

There are some indications of price drops, slowing sales and slowing factory production. The bigger question analysts are asking is about over-capacity. Is China just making too much stuff?

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Economy

Louisiana Finds Tracking Government Vehicles By GPS Saves Money

3:06pm August 26, 2015

by Amy Jeffries

Louisiana has become the first state to track nearly all of its government vehicles. It's hoped to cut down on fuel use and prevent accidents. And, the project is off to a good start.

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Preparing For The Fed's Planned Interest Rate Hike

2:59pm August 26, 2015

NPR'S Audie Cornish talks to Megan Greene, managing director and chief economist at Manulife, about how the interest rate hike will affect mortgages, auto and student loans, and consumer behavior.

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Is The Stock Market Volatility A Correction Or A Full-Blown Crisis?

2:59pm August 26, 2015

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Gillian Tett, U.S. managing editor for the Financial Times, about the difference between a stock market "correction" or "crisis."

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A trader fills orders Monday in the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index options pit at the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Watching market numbers plummet can make investors queasy, but analysts say keeping a level head through volatility is the best course

Economy

Keep Calm And Carry The 1: Investors Often Miscalculate Amid Volatility

8:07pm August 25, 2015

by Yuki Noguchi

Selling after a market plunge, financial experts say, just locks in the loss and prevents investors from participating in the rebound. But human psychology can make that advice excruciating to follow.

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Global Stocks Fail To Rally After Monday's Slide

6:37pm August 25, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

China's stock market had another rough day as other markets across the world seemed to recover. But the Dow took a late day plunge after another major sell-off.

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