Marketplace: Friday, July 9, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 41.66 (.41%) ; NASDAQ 11.01 (.57%) ; S&P 500 3.70 (.33%)

Newscast When a company the size and scale of General Electric reports a better than expected increase in profits - as it did on this July 9th-- it winds up in the number one slot on the business wires. So imagine the stir when the head of GE offered his evaluation on the state of the economy today. The rising tide at GE lifted boats on Wall Street--despite fears of sinking profits from a number of other companies...more when we chat with the Dallas stockbroker later in the big broadcast. Protecting against mad cow: it's not just for dinner anymore. It's also for cosmetics. Today the Food and Drug Administration announced an expansion of efforts to stem the potential spread of a brain-wasting and industry-draining disease. Word late today from the Interfax news agency that the head of the Russian edition of Forbes Magazine has been killed. The report cites Moscow police as saying Paul Klebnikov was hit by four pistol shots and died en route to the hospital. No information on suspects. Listen to all newscast items

Features Wal-Mart and Mexico - a Match Made in Heaven? Here are some numbers most companies only dream about. Wal-Mart of Mexico, otherwise known as Wal-Mex, has posted a 49 percent profit in the second quarter--sales were up 10 percent from this time last year. The news came as Mexico's anti-trust agency made an announcement that could up the competitive ante. Reporter: Lisa Napoli Related Story: Mexican Retailers Unite Against Wal-Mart Tears from the Moon - Conjure One Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Help Wanted: Old Soldiers To quote the colorful words of the New York Times today, "the Army is looking for a few good sailors and airmen. Actually more than just a few." Pressed to fill the gaps in its ranks, the Army's trying to convince thousands soon to leave the Navy and Air Force to swap their dress blues for Army green. The aggressive new recruiting program will offer bonuses of as much as 10 Thousand Dollars. But some suggest the Army might not need to go to such lengths, if only they weren't so ... discriminating. Commentator: Mike Revzin Related Story: Other Services Eyed by Army for Recruiting Boogie Woogie - Tom Dorsey Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Week on Wall Street Dallas stockbroker David Johnson joins Marketplace, to look at the week that was and the week that will be, on Wall Street. Q + A: David Brown, with David Johnson Related Story: StocksView: Finally, Wall Street Has Leadership One April Day - Stephin Merritt Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource AIDS and Small Business Those attending the 2004 International AIDS Conference - set to begin this weekend in Thailand - will hear some grim news. HIV infections are still on the rise - on every continent. On the positive front, the prices of anti-AIDS drugs has come down. Just not far enough for workers in places like South Africa, where the rate of infection's been astronomical. Reporter: Eric Whitney Related Story: U.S. policy criticized for halting flow of cheap AIDS drugs to poor countries (Browse) Internet (click) Dating (delete) Not another weekend watching Dukes of Hazard reruns! Get out there! The Internet dating industry is standing by, eager to match willing singles with that special someone. A lot of folks don't get past looking at pictures and personal bios online. But if your effort is to be a success, sooner or later, you'll have to meet someone. Preferably in public. And who knows--if you're at the International Internet Dating Convention in San Francisco, you might just bump into a guy like our own Cash Peters. Reporter: Cash Peters Web Resource: Internet dating guidelines

Coming up on Marketplace... Politics and the morning after