Marketplace All-in-One

From the BBC World Service: We look at the future of Hong Kong as a financial hub, a quarter-century after the end of British control. Between COVID restrictions and political crackdowns, will international companies start taking their business elsewhere? And as Sri Lanka’s president asks Russian president Putin for cheap oil, we hear the latest on how everyday people are coping in a country that is running out of fuel.

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In the third installment of our series “The Score,” we look at the bias that can be embedded in the credit-score algorithms that shape our financial lives.

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Depending on which inflation numbers you look at, you either believe inflation is bad or really, really bad. So which is it? We’ll discuss the difference between the consumer price index and the personal consumption expenditures index, and why it matters. Plus, the Supreme Court delivers a major blow to environmental regulation. And, we get even smarter about the Mason jar-NASA connection.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap. We’ll be on the YouTube livestream starting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time/3:30 p.m. Pacific time. We’ll have more news, drinks and a game!

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Today, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that limits the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to cap emissions. But the move will also restrict other federal agencies’ policymaking powers. We’ll examine how this decision will shape how the economy is run and regulated — in areas as varied as COVID and crypto. Plus, why consumer spending is slowing, what different inflation measures tell us and why tribal lands aren’t abortion access loopholes.

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This episode originally aired in May 2021. When Lindsey Galbraith’s marriage ended over financial infidelity, she swore she would never mix money and relationships again. Then she met someone new. This week, we look at the aftermath of betrayal and how the consequences can last far beyond that one relationship. Plus, we eavesdrop on a money conversation between her and her new partner — the kind of talk that usually happens behind closed doors.

Grant Thornton chief economist Diane Swonk joins us to discuss what a slowdown in consumer spending means for the Fed’s fight against inflation and the future of economic growth. The BBC reports on the British Parliament’s criticism of how the U.K. enforces financial sanctions against Russia. A story from Tennessee illustrates how providers in states that ban abortion have now become the prime organizers for travel arrangements for people who have to head out of state for the procedure.

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China’s government today said it wants the U.S. to stop cracking down on its companies. That was prompted by the U.S. government imposing trade restrictions on dozens of foreign firms for allegedly helping Russia’s military and defense industry. A Maryland law has widened the circle of people legally allowed to perform abortions. Since the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, some attention has turned to the direction of anti-abortion groups. One part of their strategy is crisis pregnancy centers. We look into what those actually are. 

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From the BBC World Service: Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator ousted over 30 years ago, has taken office as president of the Philippines after a landslide victory. But his plans to boost his country’s beleaguered economy remain hazy. A new parliamentary report in the U.K. says the government has been complacent in enforcing financial sanctions against Russia. And data released this week from Australia’s national census show that home ownership remains out of reach for many people.

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Credit scores are these three digit snapshots — usually a number between 300 and 850 — that represent a borrower’s risk of default. They’re calculated by algorithms that use a borrower’s credit data, like the history of their credit payments, the amount of debt they owe, how long they’ve owned credit cards and more. Much of that data is collected and maintained by the three big credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It’s a system that scores millions of Americans. But critics say the system doesn’t serve consumers who prioritize paying for things in cash or don’t have enough credit accounts. In this episode, “Marketplace Tech” producer Daniel Shin explores how not having enough credit data to feed the algorithm can hurt a consumer’s chances of getting a loan or a mortgage.

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It’s listener question time! A few weeks ago, Kai Ryssdal said consumers who want to help slow our inflated economy should stop spending money. But now one of our listeners wants to know if there’s anything they can do with their disposable income that helps the economy but is also fun. We offer some advice. Plus, the hosts take more of your questions on what role the dark web might play in a post-Roe era, and more than one question about gas prices!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

If you have a question about business, tech and the economy, send it our way. We’re at [email protected]. You can also leave us a voice message at (508) 827-6278 or (508) U-B-SMART.

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