Marketplace Morning Report

(U.S. Edition) It's GDP Day! Get ready, because the Commerce Department is going to tell us how fast the economy grew in the last quarter, and expectations are high. We'll talk about how consumer spending in particular is expected to show significant growth. Afterwards, we'll look at how the U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm and the Dutch-based company NXP have abandoned plans to merge, and then we'll discuss a recent survey that shows many CEOs feel they weren't fully prepared to take on the top job. Today's show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/27/2018)

(Markets Edition) Second-quarter GDP numbers are out, revealing that the economy grew 4.1 percent. A major driver of this: increased consumer spending. We'll take a look at some of factors that are fueling this behavior. Afterwards, we'll recap yesterday's testimony from Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative,  in front of Congress about major trade issues, and then we'll discuss how Puerto Rico is looking to private investors to help with its financial struggles. Today's show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/27/2018)

(U.S. Edition) President Trump and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker met yesterday and say they're in a new phase in their relationship. We'll take a look at a list of the issues that the two sides want to iron out, which include how to handle tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. Afterwards, we'll discuss Facebook's stock decline after executives announced they project lower-than-expected profits in the next few years. Then to cap off the show, we'll chat with Chris Farrell, senior economics contributor at Marketplace, about what we should anticipate from tomorrow's GDP report and what it could mean for U.S. investors. Today's podcast is sponsored by Anchor, LLC (anchorbooks.co/marketplace), Battelle (Battelle.org/QI), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/26/2018)

(Markets Edition) Following Trump's meeting with the European Union yesterday, we're talking to one Congress member who's been critical of the president's trade policy: Sen. Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania. He joined us to discuss how he felt about their conversation and why he wants Congress to have  more power when it comes to tariffs. Afterwards, we'll speak with Diane Swonk, chief economist at the firm Grant Thornton, about one sector of the economy that's not looking so great: housing. Then, we'll take a look at where NAFTA negotiations currently stand. Today's podcast is sponsored by Anchor, LLC (anchorbooks.co/marketplace), Battelle (Battelle.org/QI), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). 

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … After progress on trade talks between the EU and the U.S. yesterday, the focus now moves to NAFTA today with negotiations scheduled in Washington. So, have President Trump’s negotiating tactics been successful, or is more confrontation on the horizon? Then, it’s not just politicians keeping tabs  on trade – monetary policy makers at the European Central Bank have a keen eye on the impact the global spat is having on its efforts to tighten policy. Afterward, a former cricket player is closer to becoming prime minister in Pakistan after elections yesterday. But alleged vote-rigging is complicating a final result. If Imran Khan does prevail, what will a government under his direction in the country look like? Today's podcast is sponsored by Anchor, LLC (anchorbooks.co/marketplace), Battelle (Battelle.org/QI), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/26/2018)

(U.S. Edition) The European Union is sending the head of the EU commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, to the White House this morning with the aim of getting Trump to lift tariffs on steel and aluminum. We'll look at what we can expect from these talks. Afterwards, we'll explore how car-sharing works amid GM's decision to allow GM owners to rent out their cars, and then we'll discuss how older Americans are participating in co-housing, which allows them to live on their own, but in a community where they can share expenses. Today's podcast is sponsored by Purple Mattress (purple.com), Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org/advisors), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.michiganbusiness.org), and USPS (USPS.com/future. (07/25/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service …  Ahead of a meeting today with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, President Trump tweeted he was “ready” to drop all tariffs, barriers and subsidies between the U.S. and EU. But how realistic is that outcome? Then, Sergio Marchionne – the former CEO of Fiat Chrysler who unexpectedly stepped down over the weekend – has died. We look at the legacy of the auto-industry titan who turned around fortunes of the company during his tenure at the top. Afterwards, millennials cling to job security and worry they’ll never own a home …. that is, everywhere except oil-rich Norway. We’ll take you there and talk to members of that generation who don’t worry so much about their futures. Today's podcast is sponsored by Purple Mattress, Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org/advisors), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.michiganbusiness.org), and USPS (USPS.com/future. (07/25/2018)

(Markets Edition) The White House says it's going to dish out $12 billion in emergency aid to American farmers affected by tariffs. But many lawmakers and farmers are skeptical. We'll look at some of the criticisms they've raised. Afterwards, with earnings season in full swing, we'll discuss why the release of these company reports are good for investors, and then we'll talk with economist Torsten Slok about his theory on why wages have been stagnating: we have more monopolies and bigger companies. Today's podcast is sponsored by Purple Mattress (purple.com), Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org/advisors), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.michiganbusiness.org), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/25/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service …What do you do when your country’s inflation rate is expected to hit 1 million percent by the end of the year? That’s what the International Monetary Fund is predicting for Venezuela, a country in economic crisis. Then, shares in Chinese biotech firm Changsheng plunged for the seventh straight day after regulators accused it of fabricating data on some of its vaccines. Afterwards, a Syrian family whose chocolate factory was destroyed in 2012 by bombs fled to Canada. There, the brand is booming and set to expand nationwide. We’ll hear from them about their newfound success. Today's podcast is sponsored by Abby Connect (abbyconnect.com/morning), Avast (avast.com), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace) (07/24/2018)

(U.S. Edition) Let's recap where the U.S. is at in its trade conflict with China. In June, Trump announced tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods, which the U.S. is planning to completely implement soon — but not before a hearing today and tomorrow with business leaders. We'll look at which products are being targeted and why. Afterwards, we'll discuss how a key Chinese biotech company — Changsheng — has apologized for falsifying production data for one of its vaccines. Then, we'll look at how a survey from the anonymous app Blind shows that many tech employees have faced backlash from management or HR for reporting incidents like sexual harassment. Today's podcast is sponsored by Abby Connect (abbyconnect.com/morning), Avast (avast.com), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace) (07/24/2018)