Episodes
Marketplace examines what a longer-than-expected Middle East war means for global oil, reporting that S&P Global now expects dampened production and choppy prices into 2027. The episode also covers how record diesel prices and a shortage of English-speaking drivers are pushing trucking costs higher, potentially adding to consumer inflation. A segment asks whether AI should be used to develop pharmaceutical drugs and whether the FDA can keep up with the results. Another story follows a Georgia factory trying to survive what the episode calls America's solar policy whiplash, along with a business still waiting on tariff refunds.
Marketplace examines state-level healthcare price caps as a new policy approach, contrasting with traditional subsidies. The episode also covers how rising oil prices are affecting short-term bond yields, market speculation about Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's next move, and the growing trend of adjustable-rate mortgages. Finally, a look at the financial conversations necessary when buying a home with a friend.
Marketplace examines Canada's new retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, which a historian calls an unprecedented escalation in the two nations' trade relations. The episode also covers small business owners' mixed economic outlook, a cautionary tale of ChatGPT inventing a fake deodorant brand, Monterey Park's community-led model for resisting data center developments, and the surprising comeback of brick-and-mortar bookstores.
As inflation outpaces wage growth, many Americans are leaning on credit to cover expenses, but a potential Fed rate hike could increase those borrowing costs. The episode also explores AI-driven job losses in finance, Mexico's push into domestic electric car production, the economic impact of pilgrimage tourism on the Camino de Santiago, and one former firefighter's financial reflections as a stay-at-home dad.
The August jobs report showed twice the expected job gains, but wage growth slowed to just 3.1% annually — the weakest in over five years. The episode explores when wages might catch up with inflation, the Fed's next move, American tourism to Europe's surge, farmers holding onto old machinery, and a mother of six returning to school to change her career.
This episode of Marketplace examines Chevron's plan to invest $7 billion in Venezuelan oil production over the next five years, aiming to double output, and why other major oil companies aren't following. It also discusses whether zero job growth can be a sign of a healthy labor market, the influence of diesel prices on rail freight demand, and the trend of more companies shifting from trucks to trains for shipping. Additional segments cover how high childcare costs forced a mother of twins out of the workforce, the increasing use of buy‑now‑pay‑later loans for everyday essentials, and the potential energy savings from replacing leaky house windows.
Diesel prices are nearing record highs, driven by tariffs, geopolitical conflicts, and a seasonal uptick in demand. The episode also examines how a computer model is helping Denver reduce parking mandates to lower housing costs and spur construction. Uber announces a 10% workforce reduction aimed at streamlining management. Finally, a look at dipnetting season in Alaska, where salmon fishing is a critical economic and cultural tradition.
Marketplace examines rising global bond yields and the market anxiety driving them, including inflation fears and the Iran war. The episode breaks down how higher sovereign borrowing costs transmit pressure to U.S. interest rates, affecting Fed policy and consumer wallets. It also covers stagnant July labor market data, a near-doubling of U.S. solar energy storage capacity under the current administration, and Reddit's growing value as a data source for AI companies.
Marketplace examines several economic stories: how U.S. oil refineries running near full capacity may defer seasonal maintenance during a supply squeeze, why the Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates again despite political pushback, how consumer spending has held up even as jobs data remains mediocre, and the business of ski resorts stockpiling snow through the summer to prepare for warmer winters.
This Marketplace episode examines the economic damage of intensified ICE raids on Latino-owned businesses more than a year into the Trump administration's deportation push. It also covers small businesses facing fresh tariff uncertainty, including a camping chair company that has halted production. Canada reports strong GDP growth as it heads toward a trade conflict with the U.S. The program analyzes Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's first Jackson Hole speech and whether it contained forward guidance. A final story looks at a 21-foot-tall space cowboy statue that has revitalized a strip of Route 66.
Host Kai Ryssdal examines the economics behind the NFL’s artificial turf debate as World Cup grass mandates give players leverage. The episode also covers Nvidia’s bold long-term revenue growth prediction of 70% over the next year, a rise in retail inventories, and the idea of taxing robot labor to protect human jobs. Additionally, the show touches on the impact of tariffs on specialty food importers and a family business surviving along Route 66.
Marketplace examines the Federal Reserve's struggle to bring inflation down to 2% after more than five years, questioning the central bank's power. Other economic news includes falling consumer confidence, a bump in transportation equipment orders, and a look at how Arizona's creative budgeting during the Great Recession could inform tax policy in an AI-driven future. The show also profiles a historic Route 66 motel and water conservation efforts by the Gila River Indian Community.
This episode examines how a future where AI replaces human labor could trigger a tax revenue crisis, using Akron’s decline after losing its tire industry as a cautionary example. It also covers a new Colorado River management plan that is already facing pushback, and checks in on a small business’s recovery two years after Hurricane Helene. The show opens with what economists hope to hear from Fed Chair Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech.
Marketplace examines whether the U.S.-Canada trade fight might eventually disrupt oil and gas, despite the two countries' deeply integrated energy relationship. The episode also looks at how importing Mexican cattle could temporarily ease beef prices, Walmart's decision to cut grocery prices while inflation persists, the growing presence of factory-built homes in the suburbs, and the behavioral economics behind drought management decisions.
This Marketplace episode explores the experience of long-term unemployment, following two people navigating a job search that has lasted more than six months. It also covers a surge in lone star ticks threatening ranchers and an Alabama cattle farm using bird tourism as a side business. The program reports that the national debt has passed the $40 trillion threshold and examines how McDonald's collects large amounts of data on frequent customers. The stories connect individual economic struggles with broader agricultural and fiscal pressures.
The Treasury's buyback of long-term bonds disappointed, with interest rates barely moving. The next move is to issue a lot more short-term securities, but that strategy carries its own risks. Meanwhile, multifamily construction permits are a housing bright spot, the Fed's preferred inflation measure is getting a methodology update, and two craft-focused small business owners share their view from the ground.
Imported goods prices jumped 4.5% year-over-year as data center buildout drove computer import prices up 17%. The episode explains why import price inflation is distinct and how it complicates Fed policy. Additional segments cover U.S. oil companies signing production deals with Venezuela, Treasury executing bond buybacks, and a startup aiming to produce short-form mobile dramas with a Hollywood-style production model.
Marketplace examines the ripple effects of a shrinking cattle herd on meatpacking plants and beef prices, explores how Home Depot is weathering a frozen housing market, and looks ahead to retail earnings. The episode also features a Wyoming distillery that is expanding despite a sluggish alcohol market, and a look at the 'greige' color recession in interior design.
Marketplace examines signals of an economic cooldown: preliminary University of Michigan survey results showing consumer spending fell in early August, a drop in July retail sales, and gasoline prices nearing a record high for this time of year. The episode explores where consumers may be cutting discretionary spending. Other segments cover turbulence in China's economy, the enduring role of GDP as a metric despite its limits, a wave of fraudulent business registrations in Colorado, Reddit's addition to the S&P 500, and how Middle East conflict is affecting the global plastics industry.
Marketplace examines the July retail sales report showing an unexpected 0.6% decline, signaling that consumers are tightening their belts despite some discretionary spending holding up. The show explores how this squeeze is manifesting across different sectors: Etsy is losing ground as AI-generated clutter drives shoppers away from its handmade marketplace, and businesses along the Canadian border are struggling with a sharp drop in Canadian visitors. A final segment explores the surprising staying power of the mobile game Candy Crush Saga.
The U.S. government is selling 30-year bonds at yields not seen in a quarter century, and Greg Ip of The Wall Street Journal explains what that investor signal says about stubborn inflation and mounting federal debt. The episode also covers cooling producer prices in July, the pressure small business owners face from rising costs, and coal continuing to sit behind natural gas and renewables in electricity production. It closes with infrastructure reporting on a restaurant navigating Puerto Rico's water crisis and Ann Arbor's effort to offer free solar panels and home batteries.
The latest CPI report, measured against last week's jobs numbers, shows the average American household's buying power slipped about 0.1% over the past year — in effect, a pay cut even as inflation has slowed. Economists remain split on what comes next, with wage growth still lagging price gains. The episode also covers why drivers should expect continued high gas prices, what fractional homeownership startups offer — and the tradeoffs they carry — in a squeezed housing market, and what lesser-known economic indicators reveal.
This episode examines rising consumer financial stress: credit card delinquencies have reached 13% so far this year, the highest national rate since the tail end of the Great Recession. The show attributes the climb to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, including high inflation and job uncertainty. It also explores why home equity lines of credit have become a preferred way for homeowners to borrow as traditional rates climb, and reports on small business owners who are cautious but optimistic and trying to hire. Kyla Scanlon explains economic nihilism and why younger consumers are turning to 'little treats.'
Marketplace examines the latest jobs report showing wage growth slowing to 3.2%—the lowest in five years—and how that, combined with high inflation, is eroding consumer purchasing power. The episode also covers a bright spot in temp hiring, Bed Bath & Beyond's parent company pivoting into services, a look at why paper checks persist, and the story of a woman who chose rural South Carolina over Italy and England. Additionally, Pringles is using AI chips to optimize snack production lines.
The July jobs report brought a net loss of 23,000 jobs, along with downward revisions to prior months, signaling a cooling U.S. labor market. This episode breaks down which sectors cut the most roles and what the data means for the broader economy. Additional segments cover rising car prices and longer auto loan terms, communities building affordable housing to combat teacher shortages, and a caregiver's story of leaving the workforce to find a new calling.
Marketplace for August 6, 2026 covers the potential oil export ban and Big Oil's lobbying efforts, a souring of CEO confidence, USC's $200 million AI research gift, the FIRE movement's calculation for early retirement, and a comparison of Fed Chairs Kevin Warsh and Jerome Powell's communication styles.
Host Kai Ryssdal examines four economic stories: job-changers are seeing their highest wage increases in nearly a year (7% per ADP), Gen Z is spending across all income brackets and defying the K-shaped recovery, employers are increasingly paying firms to catch insurance billing errors, and we visit a new marketplace for used electric vehicles. The episode highlights tight pockets of the labor market and changing consumer dynamics.
Manufacturing surged in July at its fastest month-to-month pace in four years, boosted largely by AI investment. The episode also covers softening consumer spending reflected in McDonald’s sales, a steady uptick in job openings, and a conversation about tracking $27.6 billion in Trump-era investments. Plus, a look at where China’s oil imports are going.
Marketplace covers several economic stories: high oil prices from the Iran war are boosting Permian Basin profits, but drillers are cautious about over-expansion; the US spends billions to support the Japanese yen; small businesses are careful about hiring; and a Colorado peach farmer braces for drought.
Marketplace covers the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady, rising health insurance costs squeezing workers, a retiree returning to the workforce for a family business, Amazon's Zoox scaling up its self-driving taxi fleet, and Boulder, Colorado preparing to host the Sundance Film Festival.
This episode looks at counterintuitive consumer behavior: why organic food sales remain strong even as grocery bills climb. It also covers the rise in credit card chargebacks (partly due to fraud), the Federal Reserve's use of 'sticky-price CPI' to gauge inflation, the effect of global conflicts on diesel prices, and a Maine nonprofit's work to attract the next generation of lobstermen.
The war in the Middle East has pushed fuel prices higher, but oil-rich states like New Mexico and Alaska are reaping a tax revenue windfall. The Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged despite internal divisions, while adults increasingly spend on toys and collectibles, fueling growth in the toy retail sector. Meanwhile, a line dancing revival driven by social media has created new entrepreneurial opportunities for instructors.
Marketplace fact-checks President Trump's claim that his tariffs have reshored manufacturing jobs, revealing a net loss of 75,000 jobs since he took office in 2025. The episode also explores emerging insurance products for AI errors, a slight dip in the trade deficit, UPS's strategic shift away from Amazon delivery, and how homebuyers are adapting to persistently high mortgage rates. With a focus on the Michigan auto industry's future, the show dissects the gap between political rhetoric and economic data.
Marketplace examines the economic fallout from the end of Temporary Protected Status for over 330,000 Haitians, focusing on the impact to the healthcare sector. Other segments cover a new survey showing cautious business optimism, a Baltimore club's wealth-sharing model, and airline efforts to reduce contrails' climate impact.
Marketplace examines the U.S. government’s stake in Intel one year after the Trump administration invested: Intel’s quarterly sales jumped 25%, and the stake is now worth about $40 billion. The episode also looks at Gen Z’s shift away from regular soda toward functional drinks like mushroom soda, why business loan rates may be poised to rise, and the story of a 63-year-old who left a tech career to restore statues full-time.
Marketplace covers a range of economic stories. Despite a 55-year low in jobless claims, the labor market remains tough for the long-term unemployed, underemployed, and new graduates. States are suing the federal government over new Medicaid work requirements. Uber is laying off a tenth of its customer service department and replacing them with AI chatbots. Meanwhile, a surge in family travel is changing the luxury resort landscape.
The yield on 30-year Treasury bonds has been above 5% for the longest stretch since the Great Recession, partly due to competition with Big Tech corporate debt. The episode also covers AT&T's bundling strategy driving earnings, how customs brokers are dealing with rapid tariff changes, and why the Federal Reserve worries about keeping inflation expectations anchored.
Marketplace examines the $1.5 billion settlement Anthropic agreed to pay authors whose works were scraped to train its AI, with the per-work payout landing near $3,000—but whether this actually sets a precedent remains unclear. The episode also covers Jersey Mike’s IPO filing and why it's gaining on Subway, the surprising average price of a GM vehicle, the growing tension between digital convenience and true media ownership, and how small businesses are coping with higher trucking costs.
The national average gas price is back to $4 a gallon, a psychologically charged threshold that rattles consumers and policymakers alike. Amid U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations, energy markets remain volatile. Regional bank earnings offer a real-time look at the state of the consumer economy, while starter-home supply finally begins to ease, particularly in the South. A personal story from a Texas park worker highlights how location, not the house itself, is what truly defines home.
Marketplace examines the Chevron-Iraq pipeline deal, a preliminary agreement that signals oil companies' expectations that the Iran war will drag on. The show also explores the booming influencer marketing industry and how talent managers are now representing social media stars. A food critic traces the evolution of Las Vegas buffets from cheap draws to gourmet experiences. Finally, the team unpacks the economic underpinnings of America's 'fun shortage' as leisure spending fails to keep up with rising costs and uncertainty.
Marketplace details a new White House tariff proposal on 60 countries tied to forced labor enforcement, and how domestic businesses—still recovering from last year’s trade war—are weighing early orders against rising costs. The show then parses encouraging inflation data that could keep the Fed from moving rates, Kroger’s purchase of Giant Eagle in its push to challenge Walmart for grocery market share, and the growing five‑figure‑a‑year sacrifice parents are making for youth sports.
In this edition of Marketplace, Kai Ryssdal covers a range of economic stories. The U.S. continues to have the highest inflation among G7 nations, with tariffs and AI industry spending both playing a role. Kai explains how the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book offers valuable real-time economic insight. Also: IBM’s lackluster earnings reflect the struggles of legacy tech firms adapting to AI, farmers face rising fertilizer costs amid the Iran conflict, and student loan borrowers cope with ongoing policy uncertainty. A final segment highlights the importance of sweating the small details in business.
Host Kai Ryssdal breaks down the better-than-expected June CPI report, which showed inflation slowing in both goods and services. The episode examines what it means for the Fed's next interest rate decision and the uncertain sustainability of disinflation. It also covers an alleged egg price-fixing scandal, the pork industry's efforts to boost consumption as prices fall, what rising credit card spending says about consumers, and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Congressional testimony under the Humphrey-Hawkins Act.
Five major banks are reporting strong earnings, buoyed by AI investments and a booming stock market, even as energy markets remain volatile and geopolitics uncertain. Rising producer prices may soon push consumer prices higher, with economists divided on how long inflation will last. We also hear from three small business owners ahead of the June CPI, and a look at the 'hustlebro' scam where fraudsters use private jets and fake notifications to sell the illusion of success.
Energy prices are rising, driven by two concurrent wars. While public attention has focused on the U.S.-Iran conflict, Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian oil refineries, disrupting global supplies of refined fuels like gasoline and diesel. Elsewhere, data centers have actually reduced electricity bills in some regions — for now — and high airfares are pushing summer travelers toward buses. Kai Ryssdal also discusses what Federal Reserve Chair Warsh might do next as inflation lingers, and the episode closes with a story on the process of growing and turning backyard plants into a dress.
The renewal of U.S.-Iran hostilities threatens to reignite inflation just as price pressures were beginning to ease, raising urgent questions about the Federal Reserve's next move. Meanwhile, PepsiCo reports strong global sales but notes a soft patch in North America. In finance, a growing number of women are leaving Wall Street for social media content creation. Other stories include the rising taxpayer cost of wild horse roundups, baby boomer divorces complicating inheritances, and the challenges of renovating a 600-year-old home.
President Trump called off the ceasefire with Iran, sending oil prices back up after weeks of cooling. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Brookings economist Robin Brooks about how the reignited conflict will affect global oil markets and what it means for prices at the pump. The episode also covers retailers stocking up early for the 2026 holiday season, a historic shift where business energy use surpassed residential for the first time, and a surge in public companies issuing new shares.
Samsung posts an 1,800% quarterly profit increase, but its share price drops nearly 7% as high expectations overshadow the results. The episode also covers the coming wave of baby boomer business transfers to the next generation, fintech giant Klarna’s application for a U.S. banking license, and how telehealth is expanding beyond quick prescriptions—ushering in an era of “drive-thru healthcare.”
In this episode, the team explores the psychology behind early back-to-school spending driven by inflation anxiety, as families brace for higher costs. A new consumer sentiment index from the Chicago Fed aims to provide better economic mood readings. The show also covers how a heat wave tested the nation's power grid, the ongoing strong demand for Boeing and Airbus planes, and the economic ripple effects of algae blooms on Great Lakes summer tourism.
Marketplace examines the growing appeal of skilled trades as an AI-proof, dependable career path, visiting Hope Renovations in North Carolina, a program that trains women and non-binary people for construction and renovation jobs. The episode also covers a dip in the national labor force participation rate, a look at the economic role of country stores in New England, and a profile of a tailoring shop in Utah.
The June jobs report added only 57,000 jobs, half of economists' expectations, raising questions about why job growth has slowed even as the unemployment rate ticked down. The episode also examined persistently stagnant wage growth, the 'lump of labor' fallacy that misreads the impact of immigration and automation on jobs, a start-up trying to de-extinct the woolly mammoth, Saudi Aramco's World Cup sponsorship, and a social worker leading tours to supplement retirement.
The episode questions whether a "Fed put" — the expectation that the Federal Reserve will rescue markets — would promote stability, and explores Kevin Warsh's perspective as Fed Chair. It also covers a range of economic stories: a decline in teen paid employment, a slowdown in single-family home construction, the use of prediction markets for natural disasters, traffic spreading well beyond rush hour, and a surge in cowboy boot sales.
Consumer confidence is pulling in opposite directions: Americans report feeling better about the overall economy and the direction of inflation, but worse about job prospects and their own family finances. The episode also examines the widening gender wage gap, a small business owner navigating the effects of tariffs, how remote work is expanding families' choices, and the expansion of natural gas infrastructure. Each segment explores the economic angles behind these daily headlines.
The Supreme Court's Monday ruling grants the president greater authority over agencies previously considered independent, carving out an exception for the Federal Reserve. The episode also explores why transportation costs are climbing, the state of large infrastructure projects, Comcast's decision to spin off NBCUniversal, and the growing business of estate sales in Los Angeles. Hosted by Kai Ryssdal, Marketplace brings the economic angle to each of these stories.
Artificial intelligence is currently pushing consumer prices higher, with Microsoft and Apple announcing price hikes on flagship products due to skyrocketing memory and storage costs. While economists forecast AI-driven inflation in the near term, the technology could eventually bring down many costs across the economy. The episode also profiles a union that negotiated dramatic healthcare savings, the unique garage sale culture in Alaska, and the nostalgic resurgence of restaurant matchbooks as a branding tool.
Consumer prices climbed 4.1% in May, with even core inflation reaching a three-year high of 3.4%, signaling persistent price pressures beyond energy. The report came alongside an upward revision to first-quarter GDP growth, underscoring the economy's mixed signals. The episode also explores the unintended consequences of property tax cuts in Wyoming, the often overlooked economic role of Great Lakes cargo shipping, and the Gen Z trend of choosing self-improvement over expensive dating.
After the U.S. launched a war against Iran and then achieved a ceasefire, oil price swings kept Wall Street betting on persistent inflation—first from supply shocks, now from demand-pull if cheaper energy overheats the economy. Also featured: the struggle for small-dollar mortgages, a bright outlook for local vacation spots, and direct-to-consumer brands rethinking environmental marketing.
A typical starter home in nearly 250 U.S. cities now costs at least $1 million, according to Zillow, redefining what first-time homebuyers can afford. The episode explores how rapid housing inflation pushes more Americans to the suburbs and what that means for the economy. It also looks at strong manufacturing data masking tariff uncertainty, U.S. trading partners feeling the effects of conflict with Iran, and lessons from the 1973 oil crisis for today's energy volatility.
Kai Ryssdal interviews Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee about persistent inflation concerns, the Fed's communication challenges, and why inflation remains stubbornly above target despite recent policy moves. The episode also explores rising beef prices, oil reserve replenishment, and economists' concerns that AI adoption could actually drive inflation rather than reduce it.
High interest rates are dampening homebuying demand, so homebuilders are sweetening deals with free appliances, upgraded hardware, and lower mortgage rates. Also: housekeepers say an AI-powered scheduling app is making their work more stressful and reducing breaks, scientists are designing space-based sunshades to combat climate change, and a Nebraska nonprofit is bringing local news and books to blind and low-vision listeners via 'talking book' recordings.
Kevin Warsh's first press conference as Fed chair broke from traditional forward guidance, refusing to telegraph the central bank's next move. Markets interpreted his silence as hawkish, betting on an imminent rate hike. The episode explores how this shift in communication could reshape economic policy and market reactions. Additionally, the show covers a slight dip in jobless claims, the vulnerability of GPS infrastructure, and the struggle to sell older RV models despite a rising used-sales market.
Retail sales rose 0.9% in May despite inflation outstripping wage gains, driven by a declining personal savings rate. The Federal Reserve under Chair Warsh held interest rates steady, and the episode also examines falling household formation and the potential fallout if the U.S. dollar lost its global reserve currency status. These stories highlight the tension between consumer resilience and economic vulnerabilities beneath the surface.
Nvidia joins Amazon and Alphabet in issuing billions in bonds to fund AI data center construction. Commercial solar projects face a looming federal tax credit deadline. Fox acquires Roku to enter the streaming wars, and host Kai Ryssdal explains the history of post‑FOMC press conferences.
This episode of Marketplace explores the economic angles behind several current stories. First, the rising interest in nuclear power as a potential relief for high electricity bills collides with the enormous construction costs, prompting a legislative debate in one state over whether taxpayers or utility companies should shoulder the financial risk. The show also previews Kevin Warsh’s first FOMC meeting as Federal Reserve chair amid war-driven inflationary pressures. Other segments cover how the MAHA movement is boosting demand for cotton, and how advertisers are tapping into World Cup viewership to target Latino consumers.
This episode explores the emerging reality of solar geoengineering, traveling to a site in Northern California where entrepreneurs are testing sulfur-filled balloons to dim the sun. It examines how a concept once confined to sci-fi is now being actively pursued as a climate intervention. The show also presents the scientific debate: could this technique buy us time against catastrophic tipping points, or would it unleash unpredictable cascading consequences? The episode balances the urgency of climate action with the risks of large-scale planetary engineering.
SpaceX went public and the episode explains why employees and early investors face a lock-up period before they can sell their shares. It also covers an unlikely city topping the list for best metro area for recent college graduates, an AI chatbot helping a reporter sell his house, and a roundup of the week's economic headlines.
Marketplace reports that three economists predict a summer gas-price hike as the war in Iran continues to drain U.S. and global oil reserves — even an immediate end to the conflict would not relieve the supply-demand tension. Bond investors signal that they expect inflation to persist for some time. Upcoming IPOs are unlikely to move the needle on total market capitalization, and Kansas City faces lower-than-expected short-term rental demand as the World Cup kicks off.
The May CPI report shows inflation at 4.2% over the past year, bringing both cautious optimism and immediate consumer pressure. Wages are rising more slowly than prices, squeezing household budgets. The episode explores an optimist’s and pessimist’s reading of the data, plus the long-term economic effects of slowing immigration and a trend of summer camps adapting to serve anxious teens.
Bank of America advised investors that red flags pointed to a market peak and it was time to take profits—meaning sell before a potential downturn. The episode unpacks why the bank made that call now, what it signals for markets, and ties it to other economic currents. It also covers how the ongoing war in Iran is lifting oil and gas outlooks, how foreign trade zones are adapting under Trump-era rules, and the multiple headwinds facing packaged food brands.
Wages grew 3.4% year over year, but inflation is eroding those gains, creating a tension between workers’ experience and the Federal Reserve’s perspective. Meanwhile, Campbell’s soup sees a boost from home cooks, the company behind Vimeo, AOL, and WeTransfer files for an IPO, and a former diplomat turns to restoring old movie theaters.
In this episode of Marketplace, we look at the ballooning cost of healthcare deductibles, which are rising alongside insurance premiums and creating a growing group of Americans who have insurance but can't afford to use it. We also report on job growth in the hospitality industry for May, and hear the story of a California jeweler who mines his own gold. The show wraps with the week's economic news recap.
U.S. oil inventories have dropped to a 22-year low, not because Americans are using more fuel, but because exports have surged to countries cut off from normal supply routes due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade. This shift is expected to keep upward pressure on domestic oil prices for months. The episode also covers investors pulling money from private credit firms, the rise of undisclosed 'stealth ads' on social media, and an unusual visit to the elk antler market in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
This episode examines a spring pickup in small business hiring, signaled by two new reports after a long period when owners said they couldn't afford to add staff. It asks whether the increase is a blip or the start of a sustained trend. The show also covers the launch of an AI prescription renewal tool in Utah, Macy's efforts to engineer a turnaround, and a visit to two deteriorating bridges in the Pacific Northwest that threaten local economies.
This Marketplace episode examines the real-world consequences of massive Medicaid cuts and newly introduced work requirements, highlighting the bureaucratic obstacles, like complex paperwork, that cause eligible people to lose coverage. The episode draws on historical context to illustrate the effects of reduced Medicaid funding on vulnerable populations. Additionally, the report covers a decline in personal incomes and a corresponding consumer pivot from luxury to value-oriented spending. Finally, the show unpacks the preferred inflation measure of incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and its implications for future monetary policy.
The latest PMI report shows manufacturing production, orders, imports, and exports all grew in May — but payrolls shrank for the 32nd consecutive month. How can a sector expand without adding workers? The episode also explores dollar stores moving into delivery, college campuses becoming testing grounds for robotics, and upcoming jobs data that will reveal whether wage growth is outpacing inflation.
Marketplace examines the recent shift in wage growth: salaried wages increased by 2.9% over the past year while hourly wages rose only 1.7%, a reversal of 2022 trends. Both rates still trail inflation, eroding purchasing power. The episode also explores how oil futures predict fuel prices, the cultural role of convenience stores beyond basic retail, and the life of a travel nurse navigating constant relocation.
Kai Ryssdal breaks down the latest personal savings rate data, which hit a near-historic low of 2.6% in April, driven by gas and grocery price inflation. The show also examines the K-shaped recovery in office real estate, where high-end properties thrive while others struggle. Plus, a city's creative approach to budget shortfalls by selling trademarked merchandise, and analysis of the April PCE report and Q1 GDP revision.
Marketplace explores the economic implications of inflation expectations. A survey shows consumers expect 4.8% inflation over the next year, and the episode examines how beliefs about rising prices can become self-fulfilling. Other stories cover an upcoming GDP revision reflecting the economic impact of the Iran war, and a surge in wool demand driven by environmental concerns.
Amid continued conflict in the Middle East, Americans grapple with higher fuel prices — but the pain varies by state. This episode examines why gasoline costs significantly more in California than in Texas, contrasting the impact of strict environmental regulations with proximity to oil production. The show also covers three other business stories: wholesale clubs drawing wealthier shoppers, fast-fashion giant Shein’s acquisition of sustainable label Everlane, and a Chicago Fed report revealing a split between strong factories and anxious consumers.
Marketplace examines the new USDA rule requiring SNAP retailers to offer more perishable foods, which may force some convenience stores to drop SNAP participation due to cost. The episode also looks at how upcoming tech IPOs could reshape retirement portfolios, the rising age of first-time homebuyers, and why Quince's direct-to-consumer model might redefine retail.
Marketplace examines May's flash PMI figures, which reveal a stark divergence: U.S. manufacturing is expanding while service-sector demand softens. Rising input costs are squeezing margins, with manufacturers better positioned to pass on the costs. The episode also highlights how birdwatching brings tourist dollars to Northwest Ohio and how an independent performance venue in Iowa is getting creative to stay open. Plus, a roundup of the week's major economic headlines.
The episode explores why companies like SpaceX and OpenAI delay going public, weighing the benefits of raising capital against the costs of public scrutiny. It also examines rising tungsten prices hurting U.S. manufacturers, Stellantis’s bet on affordable cars, and an optimistic outlook on global trade from the authors of “How to Win a Trade War.”
Affordable Care Act premiums are rising after Congress let enhanced subsidies expire, causing about a million fewer Americans to enroll for 2026 and setting off a feedback loop that will push premiums even higher. The episode also covers record-breaking global bond yields, early tariff refunds arriving for businesses, and worsening utility rate forecasts. The stories illustrate how interconnected policy, financial markets, and household budgets can be.
Incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signals a pullback from the central bank’s decades‑long practice of frequent public speeches on monetary policy. The episode examines what markets and the public might lose if the Fed becomes less transparent, including harder‑to‑read policy signals and increased uncertainty. Other stories explore retailers’ dilemma over passing higher costs to cash‑strapped shoppers, the U.S. electric‑vehicle market lagging behind Europe’s surge, and the economic arguments cities are using to justify planting more trees.
Marketplace examines the shifting job market in cybersecurity as AI automates entry-level roles, once a focus of workforce development. The show also looks at retail earnings for clues about consumer spending, checks in on homebuilder sentiment, and explores the historical rise of the U.S. dollar as the world's dominant reserve currency.
Alcohol sales fell over 5% in April as gas prices rose, leading Marketplace to explore a possible substitution effect. The episode also covers Cerebras' successful IPO as a signal of strong hunger for AI stocks, and notes that Hollywood is increasingly buying short story rights for adaptation. The team discusses these stories alongside the week’s economic headlines.
President Trump's trade mission to China unfolds as observers interpret his body language and corporate entourage as signs of Chinese leverage. At home, mixed economic signals show consumers and retailers becoming cautious, potentially hinting at a slowdown. The European Union is reworking undersea fiber optic cable plans to avoid conflict-prone areas, prioritizing resilience. Meanwhile, traditional television networks test AI-driven advertising in an attempt to regain viewers and revenue.
A surge in the Producer Price Index, rising Treasury yields, and a tightening global oil supply are all pointing to more inflation ahead. The latest PPI shows producer costs up 6% in April, a signal that consumer prices could follow. Meanwhile, a drawdown of roughly 4 million barrels a day from global oil stocks is pushing up fuel prices, hitting diesel truckers especially hard. All of these pressures trace back to the ongoing war in the Middle East, showing how geopolitical instability quickly feeds into the American economy.
The episode examines the concept of "transitory" inflation, used to describe price spikes from temporary events like the Iran war, tariffs, and pandemic supply shocks, and asks when the label no longer applies. It also covers small business owners' struggle with rising costs, MIT's new AI-focused graduation majors, and Quebec's hydropower exports to the U.S. Northeast, reflecting broader economic and educational shifts.
The April jobs report surprised to the upside, but economists expect the upcoming CPI release to be dreary as the conflict in Iran pushes prices higher. The episode also examines how adult education programs promise better wages, why retail investors are piling into semiconductor stocks, and how climate change is reducing the nutritional value of food.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is processing tariff refund applications after a Supreme Court ruling struck down swaths of import taxes, but eligibility restrictions have left some businesses out. The episode also covers the latest jobs report, ongoing tech layoffs, the Spirit Airlines shutdown and its implications for a Florida airport, and a visit to Sparrow’s Nest Studio, a Manhattan mahjong parlor.
Host Kai Ryssdal interviews Atlantic staff writer Annie Lowrey about the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's tax cuts, which reduced taxes for 85% of households but disproportionately benefited high-income earners. The episode examines how a shrinking tax base could impact public works and national debt, while also covering Whirlpool's recession-level demand, lower-than-expected productivity, and business approaches to tariff refunds.
Marketplace previews the April jobs report amid mixed signals from private payroll data, which showed a strong March followed by a significant April slowdown. The episode also examines how Corpus Christi’s water crisis is colliding with a booming energy sector, and why Disney’s recent streaming price hikes led to increased revenue despite subscriber concerns. From labor market uncertainty to resource conflicts and media economics, the stories tie together the tension between growth and fragility.
The U.S. trade deficit shrank by half from March 2025 to March 2026 but widened from February to March 2026 as imports grew faster than exports. The episode examines what’s driving those trade numbers beyond tariffs, along with a 30‑year Treasury yield topping 5%, a forecast for slower home remodeling in 2027, and a visit to a job fair in Philadelphia.
Marketplace covers several economic stories: the fallout from court rulings that most Trump tariffs were illegal, leaving businesses to decide whether to refund consumers — a process that could drag into the 2030s. Also, the airline industry faces changes with Spirit Airlines gone, GameStop is pursuing an acquisition of eBay, and states are exploring ways to reclaim tax dollars.
Marketplace covers the memory chip crunch driven by AI's growing appetite for memory, with Apple CEO Tim Cook warning of an extended shortage. AI projects are outspending consumer electronics on memory, and limited manufacturing capacity means retailers will pass higher costs to consumers. Also: a retiree focuses on charitable giving, specialty movie tickets hit $50, and America's biggest energy port benefits from the Middle East oil tie-up.
U.S. GDP grew at a 2% annual rate in the first quarter of 2026, a sharp rebound from 0.5% in late 2025, with economists crediting a surge in AI investment as the main driver. The episode examines what concentrated, tech-led growth means for the broader economy, and also covers the gap between financial market predictions and real-world oil prices, an airline personnel shortage in aircraft maintenance, and a viral social media trend around beans.
Jerome Powell's final FOMC meeting as Fed chair saw rates held steady but with the most dissenting votes in over 30 years. Powell also announced he will remain on the board as a governor, the first outgoing chair to do so since 1948. The episode also covers a rise in corporate debt issuance, Taco Bell's strong sales, and AI-driven cybersecurity headaches.
Central banks in the U.S., Japan, England, Canada, and the European Union meet this week, with most expected to hold interest rates steady as war in the Middle East disrupts the global economy. The episode examines why, despite this temporary alignment, the U.S. may soon diverge and move rates in the opposite direction from other major economies. In other news, consumer sentiment edged up in April, Medicaid funding cuts are reducing pediatric care options, and five Big Tech companies are set to report earnings.
The Marketplace team explores the puzzling trend of rising U.S. home prices despite weaker demand. Economic uncertainty and rising costs are encouraging homeowners to stay put, tightening inventory and sustaining high prices. The episode also covers how belt-tightening consumers are ordering less from Domino's, the debut of air taxis in New York City, and banking sector pushback against proposed stablecoin rules.
It’s been a trend for a year now — home prices are up even though demand is sluggish. As Americans face growing economic uncertainty and rising costs, many are staying put. So why won’t home prices cool off? We’ll explain.
The episode explores the rising costs of AI as companies adopt token-based billing. Meta encourages heavy token usage, but per-token pricing means costs add up quickly. There's no such thing as free AI, and the show examines the economic implications. Other segments include Procter & Gamble's strong earnings, a visit to LA's first women's sports bar, and the latest Federal Reserve news.
Companies are using AI tools more every day. Some, like Meta, are even encouraging employees to use as many AI tokens as possible. But companies also spending more to access the technology — most AI firms bill per token, and those costs add up. In this episode, there’s no such thing as free AI.
Business activity growth soared in April, according to S&P Global’s purchasing managers index. The topline number might sound rosy, but experts think the growth spurt is really a sign of fear. In this episode, why businesses spent month two of the war in Iran stockpiling goods.
A surge in business activity in April looked rosy on the surface, but experts say it's really a sign of fear as companies stockpile goods during the Iran war. The episode also covers a short squeeze in Avis stock, the opening of the first round of tariff refund applications, and a historical deep dive into 1970s oil price caps to understand the economics of price controls.
Boeing reports strong first-quarter earnings, marking a turnaround after years of challenges including labor disputes, manufacturing issues, and regulatory scrutiny. The episode examines how the aerospace giant engineered its comeback. Also: prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket prepare to launch perpetual futures, automakers push to adopt Tesla's direct-to-consumer sales model, and tariffs throw global shipping cycles into disarray.
Marketplace covers the rise of agentic AI and its implications for the productivity race in tech, plus three economic stories: the U.S. dollar's drag on the economy, budget airlines seeking relief from high jet fuel costs, and consumers turning to credit to cover daily expenses. The episode explores how these trends intersect with broader economic forces.
Haven’t you always wished for robots to do menial labor? That’s sort of what agentic artificial intelligence is — rather than existing solely in a chat box, the technology can excecute complex tasks.
Rising gas prices, stemming from President Trump’s war against Iran, have frustrated drivers all spring. But diesel prices are up too, and diesel is the real engine of our economy. In this episode, small business owners face higher costs and uncertainty as diesel prices climb.
Rising diesel prices, driven by the U.S. conflict with Iran, are squeezing small businesses that rely on trucking and shipping. Consumer sentiment has hit record lows, yet spending remains steady, puzzling economists. Tomato prices jumped 15% in a single month due to factors explained by farmers and economists. Meanwhile, bond markets expect the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year.
QVC, the pioneering TV shopping network, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced a strategic pivot away from television toward social commerce, specifically targeting the livestream shopping model popularized by TikTok Shop. The episode examines whether a legacy brand built on cable can compete with digitally native social platforms. Additionally, Kai Ryssdal and Nela conclude their trip to Vietnam with visits to a local AI startup and a neighborhood of expats.
QVC, which pioneered live TV shopping shows, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week. Leadership made the next step clear: a pivot away from television and toward something akin to social commerce, like livestreamed sales on TikTok Shop.
Cautious employers are hiring more temporary workers instead of committing to permanent roles, a pattern noted in the Federal Reserve's latest Beige Book. Temp jobs can be a leading indicator for the overall job market, but they come without the stability and benefits of full-time employment. Kai Ryssdal also reports from Vietnam on a tech startup and a vibrant electronics street market, while Europe faces jet fuel shortages and a Midwestern farmer gives a real-time check-in on agriculture.
Cautious employers are hiring more temporary workers, according to the Fed’s latest Beige Book. It's sort of a half-step toward creating permanent roles. The good news is temp jobs can be a leading indicator for overall job market strength.
The results are in, and despite concerns that the war in Iran would dampen big banks’ earnings, they’re doing just fine, thank you. On earnings calls this week, several banks shouted out consumer “resilience” for keeping everything chugging along. How long might that resilience hold up?
Big banks reported strong earnings this week even as war in Iran raised concerns, crediting consumer resilience for keeping activity steady. Meanwhile, small business owners are struggling through the red tape of tariff refund paperwork. China appears well-positioned to ride out the oil price surge tied to the conflict. The episode also continues Kai Ryssdal's reporting trip to Vietnam.
As the U.S. population ages, our economy will rely more on nations with younger workforces. Nations like Vietnam, where there are two working-age adults for every dependent.
Host Kai Ryssdal and ADP chief economist Nela Richardson explore Vietnam's demographic advantage as part of the Age of Work series. Vietnam's young population creates a 2-to-1 ratio of working-age adults to dependents, positioning it as a crucial economic partner as the U.S. population ages. The episode visits a garment factory and outdoor market in Ho Chi Minh City to examine how Vietnam's workforce is reshaping global economics.
Grocery prices rose less than 2% in March, according to the latest consumer price index. The cost of some staples, including eggs, butter, and cheese, fell from spikes last spring. Certain produce prices moved in the opposite direction.
Grocery prices rose less than 2% in March, with staples like eggs, butter, and cheese falling while some produce prices climbed. The episode explores how global supply chains, geopolitical conflicts, and regulatory policies shape the cost of food and fuel. Segments cover the impact of the Iran conflict on bank earnings and how fuel economy standards soften high gas prices. Host Kai Ryssdal also visits Little Saigon in Southern California ahead of a reporting trip to Vietnam.
Nearly 600 Marketplace fans gathered at the Aratani Theatre in downtown Los Angeles to watch Kai Ryssdal present Marketplace Live, in partnership with LAist.
Overall unemployment measured 4.3% in March, which is a sign of a fairly strong economy. A contradicting data point? The number of Americans who have been unemployed for more than six months grew 300,000 year-over-year. In this episode, a job hunt with no end in sight.
The personal consumption expenditures report, which is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, showed costs rose 2.8% year-over-year in Feburary. That’s above the target, but never fear: Resilient consumers keep on spending, despite rising prices. What’ll it take to shake things up?
The share of U.S. debt held by foreign countries has been shrinking. Foreign investors currently hold about 30% of federal public debt, down from nearly half. In today’s episode, we explain why the rest of the world isn’t picking up the U.S.
Laws prohibiting insider trading in commodities markets — which could be applied to prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket — are more recent and untested than you might think.
We've got the first whiff of price growth as a result of President Donald Trump's war in the Middle East: A services sector purchasing index registered its highest reading since October 2022. Experts expect federal data out later this week to show a similar uptick in prices from February to March.
The war with Iran has driven up the price of gas — as in, the gas we put in our cars. But what about natural gas, like the kind we use to heat and cool our homes? The U.S. is pretty well insulated from a natural gas price spike. Countries across Europe and Asia ... not so much.
President Trump said last night that military attacks on Iran will end in two or three weeks. But the effect on the global oil market will last much longer. In this episode, what it will take to stabilize oil supply and reserves — and how long gas prices will stay high.
Thursday marks one year since President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on basically all imported goods — how time flies! The name of the game was uncertainty: U.S. small businesses pivoted from growth plans to stay-afloat plans, consumers grew gloomy but kept spending, and the U.S.
One glaring result of President Trump’s war on Iran, one month in? High oil prices. If fuel stays expensive, the cost could ripple through the global economy. Analysts think the market for electric vehicles in the U.S. could see a boost, for example, as gas prices shoot up.
The cost of a barrel of crude surpassed $100 over the weekend, as war in the Middle East continues to block oil shipments. In simpler, car-commuter terms, gas prices have risen to $4-ish per gallon. But even if the conflict ended tomorrow, they would be slow to fall.
A growing number of farmers can’t afford to plant their crops this year. It’s because of rising costs for diesel, fertilizer, and equipment parts — coupled with low crop prices. On today’s episode, we talk to an Ohio soybean and corn farmer.
Two years ago, a shipping container crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore. Now it’s being rebuilt to be bigger and better. In today’s episode, we take you into the construction site.
This morning, we learned that import prices rose 1.3% in February. That’s way more than expected — and that data is from before the war. In today’s episode, we dig into the price boost and what it means for inflation.
As climate change drives hotter, drier summers, vineyard owners have to adapt. They’re turning to grape varietals more suited to warmer weather. Today, we take a trip to an Oregon vineyard and learn about its preparations for the new season.
The war in Iran has cost the global oil supply roughly 15 million barrels a day so far. Today, International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol said the war’s impact on oil is worse than the two oil shocks of the 1970s, combined.
Looking for an exclusive pastel Trader Joe’s mini tote? How about the latest Labubu? Once a staple of sneaker and streetwear, the “limited drop” release model is popping up all over the place.
Newport, Oregon is a small town on the coast with beautiful beach views. After the town’s rescue helicopter was taken to the southern border, the community came together against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In this episode, we talk to a local reporter who covered the story.
The Federal Reserve is focused on cooling inflation right now, which has stayed stubbornly above the 2% target. But price stabilization is just one half of the central bank’s dual mandate. In this episode, when will the Fed pivot to buoying the stagnant job market?
When gas prices go up, Americans freak out. It doesn’t matter that gas prices often fluctuate independently of all the other stuff we have to buy and pay for; more expensive fuel makes an impact on the consumer psyche. In this episode, Americans’ unique emotional relationship to gas costs.
Crude oil prices have risen about $30 a barrel in the three weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched a war in Iran. At some point, U.S. consumers will really feel the war in their wallets. Turns out, it’s hard to say when.
After the Supreme Court overturned many of President Trump’s tariffs, his administration implemented new import taxes through a different legal avenue. But those are only temporary. Next up in the White House's game plan to claw those tariffs back?
President Trump’s war with Iran continues to provoke economic consequences. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, Middle East crude oil will be blocked from reaching refineries, including those in California. In this episode, what happens if those refineries run out of oil.
The Februrary consumer price index report is out, and it’s got some new data points that can tell us what’s going on in the broader economy — even though plenty has changed since last month.