ECONOMY

Stock Trading In China Halted After Stocks Plunge For A Second Day

5:03pm January 07, 2016

For a second day this week, stock trading in China was suspended. David Greene talks to Fraser Howie, co-author of Red Capitalism, about the turmoil in the Chinese stock markets.

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An investor rests in front of a dark electronic board at a Beijing brokerage house after China suspended trading Thursday for the second time this week.

U.S. Markets Slump After Chinese Stocks Plunge; China Suspends 'Circuit Breaker'

4:51pm January 07, 2016

by Bill Chappell

With U.S. stock prices already seeing their worst three-day opening for a year since 2008, China's trading day lasted less than 30 minutes Thursday.

Foreign Investors Fear Global Consequences Of Chinese Economic Uncertainty

4:13pm January 07, 2016

NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks with Jamie Metzl, senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, about what is going on with China's economy. Chinese and foreign investors feel uncertain about it, so many are trying to get their assets out of the country.

Boom Town Presses Pause Amid Dramatic Drop In Oil Prices

4:13pm January 07, 2016

by David Kestenbaum

Two years ago, in January 2013, oil was about $100 dollars a barrel. At that time, towns near new oil fields expanded rapidly, filling up with workers and overflowing revenue. But how are those towns doing now that oil is worth about half what it was then? The Planet Money team checks in with oil workers and residents in Williston, N.D.

Turmoil In China's Economy Shakes Investor Confidence

10:54am January 07, 2016

Thursday was shaping up to be another tumultuous day in the financial markets. Stock prices were falling after a big selloff in Asia and Europe. The trouble seems to have started in China.

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Economy

Global Oil Prices Fall To 11-Year Low

7:08pm January 06, 2016

by John Ydstie

Global oil prices dropped again, falling to an 11-year low on Wednesday as investors worried about weak demand for refined petroleum products. New government data show U.S. stockpiles of gasoline and distillates, including diesel fuel and heating oil, soared in recent days, offsetting a decline in crude supplies. Taken together, crude and refined products are now at a record high, and that glut is driving retail prices lower.

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Despite Latest Saudi-Iran Conflict, Oil Prices Drop

6:25pm January 06, 2016

by John Ydstie

Oil prices have declined even though tensions have risen between the 2 oil producers. That would have been unthinkable years ago. An oil glut due largely to U.S. production changed the price equation.

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A woman fills her car with gas in Woodbridge, Va., on Tuesday. Supplies of crude oil and refined gasoline have driven prices at the pump down, and they're expected to go even lower.

If You Like Cheap Gasoline, January May Be Your Lucky Month

6:21pm January 06, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

Prices already are averaging less than $2 a gallon nationwide, and a new report shows gasoline inventories are surging. Experts say that sets the stage for more price drops in coming days.

Visiting New York City, Bernie Sanders Attacks Clinton, 'Greed' Of Wall Street

1:42pm January 06, 2016

by Jim Zarroli

"Will the folks on Wall Street like me? No. Will they begin to play by the rules if I am president? You better believe it," Sanders said Tuesday.

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Prices, as seen at a gas station in Woodbridge, Va., on Tuesday, are 21 cents a gallon cheaper than this time last year. The drop violates the historic rule that tension such as that currently between key producers Saudi Arabia and Iran causes the cost of

Troubles Are Up In The Middle East, But Oil Prices Are Down. Huh?

7:27pm January 05, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

In the past, when political tensions increased, oil prices went up too amid supply risks. But now OPEC's power is down and U.S. oil supplies are much greater, helping hold prices steady.