Marketplace: Friday, June 11, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW (%) ; NASDAQ (%) ; S&P 500 (%)

Newscast U.S. markets and many banks were closed on this national day of mourning for Ronald Reagan. Though a very quiet day, it was not entirely silent on the business front. Making news on this June 11th, three of the largest insurers in the nation: Aetna, Cigna, and Met Life. The three companies today revealed they've been subpoenaed by New York Attorney general Elliott Spitzer. They're part of an industrywide investigation into incentives that insurance companies pay their brokers. Though oil wasn't traded on U.S. markets today, prices of Brent crude eased up a bit thanks to a breakthrough in Nigeria. Today labor groups representing millions of workers in the world's seventh largest oil exporting nation abandoned a three day strike. The protest had shut down businesses and threatened to drive oil prices back up. Listen to all newscast items

Features AMA and Some Good Medicine This weekend, the American Medical Association holds its annual meeting in Chicago. On the agenda are a couple controversial resolutions - one dealing with malpractice lawyers, the other with the size of gifts doctors can accept from corporations. Though some might consider the resolutions self-serving, our commentator argues they're actually good medicine. Commentator: Ron Bailey Related Story: Doctor's malpractice cure doesn't care for attorneys Wild Pack of Family Dogs - Modest Mouse Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Surviving Free Trade - American Style Today economists are evaluating a new Labor Department report that suggests the U.S. is shipping fewer jobs overseas that one might think. The government claims that in the first three months of the year, 4,600 Americans lost their jobs to workers abroad. That's only about two percent of the 240,000 who lost their jobs during that same period. That probably won't do much to offset growing fears about outsourcing. It's been especially bad for the U.S. textile industry. But some domestic companies are finding that a time-tested business strategy may help them survive the challenges of free trade. Reporter: Leda Hartman Related Story: Sara Lee to cut 4,000 jobs Roadhouse - Ray Charles Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Week on Wall Street Martketplace looks at the week that was, and the week ahead. Q + A: David Brown with David Johnson Related Story: The Five Dumbest Things on Wall Street This Week Center of the Sun (Junkie XL remix) - Conjure One Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Clergy Couples and the Almighty Dollar This weekend several seminaries across the country hold commencement ceremonies: Northwest Baptist Seminary in Tacoma, Washington, Bethel in St Paul, Minnesota and the world's largest multi-denominational seminary, Fuller -- in Pasadena, California. Many of those graduates will go on to become ministers. A high calling that doesn't offer the highest earthly compensation. When there are two spiritual leaders in the same marriage, the duties often double--while the pay often doesn't. Reporter: Hillary Wicai Related Story: Clergy couples do it for eternity Do Your Thing - Basement Jaxx Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Battle for the Baghdad Grad It's tough enough for college grads here in the U.S. to match their majors with openings in the job market. But imagine you're graduating into the battered economy of Iraq. Where do you go next? Reporter: Borzou Daragahi Related Story: Commentary: Reforming American Policy Towards Iraq Is An Opening For Moderation To Suffice Om Schar Asmar - Ali Hassan Kuban Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

Coming up on Marketplace... Quick cost-cutting for oil-strapped airlines.