Marketplace: Wednesday, June 9, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 64.08 (.61%) ; NASDAQ 32.92 (1.63%) ; S&P 500 10.85 (.95%)

Newscast If this were Sesame Street, the letter of the day would be the letter "C". "C" as in Clear Channel. "C" as in Coca-Cola. "C" as in Churches and politics. There's word on this June 9th that federal regulators have agreed to tear up a stack of listener complaints against the nation's biggest owner of radio stations. Clear Channel Communications will pay $1.75 million to settle all pending charges of indecency. "C" as in Coca-Cola. The company's number two executive is stepping down. The departure of Coke president Steve Higher was by mutual agreement, the company said in a politely worded statement. But most outside observers noted that Higher had been passed over for the top job at the world's biggest beverage maker. Listen to all newscast items

Features TiVo Troubles? I remember a friend showing me her new TiVo system about a year ago. There we were watching 3 straight episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - No commercials. No tapes. No hassles. Stop a show, grab a soda from the fridge and pick up where you left off. It looked like the next big thing. Today, TiVo announced it's slashing prices for its digital TV recorders. The company also announced a new feature to connect TiVo recorders to home computers. But the picture's not pretty in TiVo land. Yesterday, DirecTV dumped its stake in the company. Commentator: Ian Ayres Related Story: TiVo to bypass cable, satellite Captain Easy Chord - Stereolab Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Bundling Bank Services. Mr. and Ms. Businesspersons: we're considering your credit application. While we're at it, would you like some investment banking advice with that line of credit? A new survey out today suggests banks may be pressuring companies to buy extra services in exchange for borrowing power. Reporter: Amy Scott Related Story: Opinion: Before expanding services, consider up-selling (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea - Elvis Costello Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Diplomatic Banking Worries Today, many embassies in Washington are looking for a bank they can put their trust in. Only yesterday, the U.S. Treasury Department held a special meeting on how to deal with a curious problem: foreign diplomats holding bags of cash... money that used to be parked at a once-venerated Washington institution. Reporter: Rachel Dornhelm Related Story: Move Seen to Press Banks to Deal With Embassies Soda Pop - G. Love and Special Sauce Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Stability of Saudi Oil ... With oil prices reaching 21 year highs in recent weeks, we got some good news for you: prices are falling because OPEC has opened the taps. There's a lot of mideast oil available. But before anyone strikes up the band there are two urgent issues that could change everything. First: a hypothetical. What if the situation in oil-rich Saudi Arabia got really ugly .. . as in, a revolution toppling the U.S. friendly monarchy? Reporter: Stephen Beard Related Story: Saudi oil exec: Facilities secure, `in good hands' If I Ever Recover - Basement Jaxx Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource ... and Tanker Shortages One more hypothetical that's getting less hypothetical by the day. Sure, for the moment, there's oil to be had. And that's what helped drive prices down further today. But there's still the sticky problem of how you get the oil from there -- to here. The world's running low on tankers to do the hauling. Q + A: David Brown with Heather Timmons Related Story: Got Oil? Now, Try to Find Tankers to Carry It Jung at Heart - Master Cylinder Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Target Games You got your Mervyns, you got your Marshall Fields, you got your Target. Three retail chains with distinct brand identities. But in fact, they come under one roof. Target owns the other two. But not for much longer. Mervyns and Marshall Fields are up for sale to the highest bidder. Today there's word that the leading suitor for Marshall Fields could be announced by the end of this week. Reporter: Alisa Roth Related Story: Target Unloads Marshall Field's

Coming up on Marketplace... Ever been to divorce school? They're trying it out in Tokyo