Marketplace: Thursday, July 15, 2004

Listen (entire show) | how to listen | sign up for newsletter | order transcript

A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 45.64 (.45%) ; NASDAQ 2.17 (.11%) ; S&P 500 4.78 (.43%)

Newscast Hi! I'm emerging from bankruptcy on this July 15th and I'd like to make a good impression. Get a fresh start. Let me re-introduce myself: the name's 'Enron'. No: you see why this won't work. 'Enron' is not exactly a name like Smuckers, is it? So under terms of a restructuring plan approved by a judge in Houston today, that lil ol' energy company from Texas is scrapping the moniker now almost synonymous with an era of greed and corporate hubris. Before we leave that contemporary field of corporate battle known as the courthouse, this story: dateline New York. Mark Belnick, former top lawyer for Tyco International was acquitted today on charges of grand larceny, securities fraud and falsifying business records. Nothing like what Angelo De la Cruz has been facing. The Philippino father of 8 was working as a truck driver in Iraq when he was apprehended and threatened with beheading. The terrorists' ultimatum: withdrawal of all Phillipine troops from Iraq. Listen to all newscast items

Features Bragging Rights for Bankers... The corporate scandals we were talking about earlier have cost the world's number one financial services company dearly. Citigroup today said that when legal costs tied to Enron, Worldcom, and other stinkers were set aside, its second quarter profit fell 73 percent last quarter. That's nearly a six year low. What's more, Citigroup might be knocked out of its spot as the world's largest bank - if a merger in Japan goes thru. Reporter: Steve Herman Related Story: Japan govt bond prices close mostly lower on bank merger Bone Machine - The Pixies Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource What's The Real Issue with AIDS Funding? Today Nelson Mandela issued a rousing call for individuals, businesses and governments to open their pockets for the battle against AIDS. Many in the audience at the AIDS conference in Bangkok took those remarks as a swipe at the United States. Despite pledging what the Bush Administration says is a record $15 billion for global AIDS-fighting efforts, the U.S. has come under fire this week for limiting donations to a UN-sponsored fund to prevent and treat the disease. Commentator: Howard Markel Related Story: The Mandela Charm Glistens Conference Hardest Button to Button - White Stripes Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource "Honey, I'll take your name... Really. I will!" What's in a surname? Well, a new study says it can offer some clues about what women think about marriage -- and their professional lives. It looks like the latest crop of college educated women seem to be reversing a trend. Reporter: Rachel Dornhelm Related Story: More college-educated women adopt husband's surname We Laugh Indoors - Death Cab for Cutie Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Lure of the Rings It's the start of Olympic Season, and advertisers are lined up at the starting gate. There's a lot at stake in this particular race... Q + A: David Brown, with Ed Derse Related Story: The lure of the rings Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Help Wanted: Honest Broker/Strong Heart/ Wild Ride Friday promises to be a great day for the paparazzi. Martha Stewart's back in court for sentencing. Also possibly facing prison time - her former stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic. They were convicted of lying to investigators about her all-too-timely sale of shares in ImClone Systems. Baconovic's rise and fall suggest that a broker's life can be a wild ride. It's not a career for the faint of heart. Even for an honest broker. Reporter: Julie Small Web Resource: Edward Jones Online Nice Work if You Can Get It - Stuff Smith Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

Coming up on Marketplace... Spotted a few more tattoos?