Marketplace Morning Report

The Department of Labor announced that 312,000 jobs were added in December to U.S. businesses. Unemployment also went up, but that’s partially tied to the increased labor participation rate. Then we look at car sales, which still look strong despite the chaotic stock market activity and rising interest rates. Automakers say more than 17 million new cars and light trucks were sold last year. We also check out, in a way, the movie “Roma,” a critically acclaimed Netflix film that tells the story of a domestic worker in Mexico. So, how did real-life domestic workers feel about it? Today's show is sponsored by Indeed, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage and WizardPins.

For the fifth time in a year, the People’s Bank of China has cut down on the amount of cash banks have to keep in reserve. It’s another way China is combatting a decrease in growth. Also, the arrival of 2019 brings new rules for hospitals: They now have to post prices for their services online. It’s a move to transparency, but not everyone is convinced. In football news, the NFL has locked down its first-ever deal with a gambling company. The league has been slower than other sports leagues to forge partnerships with the gambling industry. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage and WizardPins.

People are now wondering what an economic slowdown in China might mean for the rest of the world after Apple’s downgraded revenue forecast pointed to slowing iPhone sales in the country. Also, the Department of Labor is trying to fix its visa application website after it crashed earlier this week. You can’t blame the shutdown for this; instead this is tied to a record number of requests for temporary worker permits. We then look at how renting has become the residential method of choice following the burst of the housing bubble. This is especially true in places like Cleveland, Ohio, which have typically seen as an "affordable" places not to rent, but to buy a house. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

Apple’s Wednesday announcement of weaker iPhone sales in China affecting its revenue forecast has made an impact on the global markets. Shaun Rein of the China Market Research Group walks us through the news. Then, we look at the effects of the partial government shutdown on the construction business, which is missing key economic data that would have been released by the Commerce Department. Also, we look at how some states are handling medical leave, as many people are wary of the unpaid leave afforded them by the Family Medical Leave Act. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage. 

We check in with Susan Schmidt of Aviva Investors to talk about the activity on the markets, which face the same issues they did at the start of the holidays, but now there’s data indicating a slowdown of global growth. We also check in on how charities are scrambling to lessen the blow of potential losses as the new tax law gave Americans less reason to donate. Finally, we end with a trip to Richmond, Virginia, which has one of the highest eviction rates in the country. A new coalition has emerged there to help change that. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage. 

Oil prices have been falling for the past 12 months, with the president taking credit for it on social media. However, there are a variety of other factors in play. Then, we head to the movies, where 2018 proved to be a banner year for ticket sales, but that didn’t stop plenty of movie buffs from staying on their couches during the holidays to catch releases like “Bird Box” on Netflix, which at least 45 million people watched. Also, we look at possible big changes in the cell phone industry that could lead to a new lineup of companies. At the heart of change could be Sprint's home town of Kansas City, Mo., as a merger between Sprint and fellow phone giant T-Mobile is on the table. Today's show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.