Economy

Greece's Lost Olive Oil: How Export Barriers Stifle Economic Growth

2:36pm July 28, 2015

Businesses in Greece are facing fundamental problems, despite the potential bailout. They struggle with tax issues, labor problems and infrastructure inadequacies. The Planet Money podcast visits olive oil entrepreneurs in Kalamata, Greece, to find out what it will take for the Greek economy to start growing.

Queue Listen Now

China's Stock Market Unnerves Investors With Another Nosedive

2:07pm July 28, 2015

China's stock market continues to fall on the heels of a big drop in June. Steve Inskeep talks to Patrick Chovanec, chief strategist with Silvercrest Asset Management, about China's stock market woes.

Queue Listen Now

A Chinese worker is seen at a construction site in Beijing. Economic changes in China and in other places have reduced demand and prices for commodities like the metal in the building's structure.

Drawing A Line From The Chinese Stock Market To Your Wallet

1:03pm July 28, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

U.S. commodities — copper, corn, coal and more — are cheaper because of China's economic cooling. Producers got caught up in China's "teaser" demand for more of everything. It couldn't last.

China's Stock Market Suffers Largest Drop In 8 Years

5:40am July 28, 2015

by John Ydstie

China's main stock index, the Shanghai Composite Index, fell 8.5 percent Monday in the biggest percentage drop in eight years. The Chinese market had been making a comeback from a serious sell-off earlier this summer, but now much of that gain has been lost.

Queue Listen Now

As Brazil's Economy Goes In Reverse, Illusion Of Prosperity Fades With It

7:24pm July 27, 2015

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

Brazil's so-called economic miracle appears to have stalled, or worse, gone into reverse.

Queue Listen Now

Fiat Chrysler Fined $105 Million For Failing To Complete Recalls

7:24pm July 27, 2015

by Jason Margolis

The company will pay up to $105 million in fines for failing to fix recalled vehicles in a timely manner. The automaker also agreed to pay top trade-in value for many cars that were subject to recall.

Queue Listen Now

Colt's booth at a National Rifle Association exhibit in Nashville, Tenn., on April 11.

Economy

Firearms Company Colt Defense Files For Bankruptcy Protection

1:08pm July 27, 2015

by Lucy Perkins

Sam Colt founded the company in 1855. Colt Defense filed for Chapter 11 protection late Sunday.

After Nuclear Deal, European Businesses Flock To Iran

9:10pm July 24, 2015

by Eleanor Beardsley

Iran's market of 80 million, well-educated consumers is not open yet, but French and other European business delegations are already flocking to the country. They will be the first in and have a head start, but analysts say American business could be the big winner in the end.

Queue Listen Now

Beans are picked at a coffee cooperative in Embu, Kenya.

Carnations, Coffee And Denim: A Look At Kenya's Top 10 Exports

2:41pm July 24, 2015

by Adam Sege

Those jeans you bought at Walmart? They might have been made in Kenya. Here's a look at the country's leading exports.

Anthem, headquartered in Indianapolis, is buying rival Cigna in a deal valued at $48 billion announced Friday.

Anthem To Buy Cigna, Creating Largest Health Insurer By Enrollment

8:25am July 24, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The combined company would have an estimated revenue of $115 billion and cover 53 million people in the U.S.