Marketplace Morning Report

(Markets Edition) A lack of enthusiasm for older, lower interest rates is pushing bond yields up to their highest point in years. Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial, joined us to give us some perspective on what's happening. Next, we're looking at another type of bond: the one you pay to get out of jail. One group is seeking to bond 160,000 out of jail in dozens of U.S. cities over the next several years.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … New figures show Venezuela’s oil output plunged again last year, continuing a yearlong streak of falling production. What will it mean for the economy as inflation soars and quality of life for residents declines? Then, evidence is growing against a Taiwanese businessman accused of selling oil to North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions. Afterwards, we’ll tell you what new U.S. satellite images reveal about our planet. There's so much debris floating around Earth, it looks like a swarm of insects. We dive into the issue of “space junk” and its impact.

(U.S. Edition) Now that the GOP tax overhaul has passed, Apple is pledging to bring back a quarter of a trillion dollars to the U.S. We'll take a look at what the tech giant plans to do with all of that cash. Afterwards, amid President Trump's visit to a heavy equipment plant in Pittsburgh, we'll take a look at the state of the manufacturing industry. Plus: Washington Post columnist and Marketplace regular Allan Sloan joins us to explain how taxpayers can trim their income tax bill.

(Markets Edition) The House of Representatives is set to vote on whether to approve funding for the federal government to stay open for a few more weeks. But what happens if the government does end up shutting down? Economist Diane Swonk explains how that could affect the implementation of the GOP's tax overhaul. Afterwards, we'll discuss what Apple plans to do with the billions of dollars it plans to bring to the U.S. from overseas, and whether this decision had to do with the new tax bill. Then, we'll look at a new report that shows the percentage of homes in foreclosure in 2017 is at its lowest point since 2005.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service …China notches solid growth figures for 2017, but can the pace continue in the new year? Then, Benjamin Netanyahu is in India for the first visit by an Israeli prime minister in 15 years…we’ll take you there and explain what deal is on the table for the two longtime trade and security partners.  Afterward, the pope departs Chile today, but we’ll explain why his visit has come under fire for economic reasons.

(U.S. Edition) The planners of the upcoming Davos conference have a new report on global threats. We'll look at what they're warning against, which includes everything from stock market crashes to little bits of computer intelligence that could infect us. Afterwards, we'll chat with Michael Boskin — senior fellow at the conservative-leaning Council of Economic Advisers  — about what's on the economic agenda for Republicans in the upcoming year.

(Markets Edition) Amid the stock market's very positive run, we'll talk to Susan Schmidt — senior portfolio manager at Westwood Holdings — about the possibility of a correction. Next, we'll look at how China has the capability to influence aluminum prices, and then we'll discuss how the Trump administration plans to revisit a payday lending rule put in place under the Obama administration.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Data this morning showed Japanese companies are finally starting to invest their substantial cash piles, which is helping spur economic growth. While it’s positive news, we’ll explain what risks investors should look out for. Then, the World Economic Forum in Davos might be a week away, but its new report on global risks out this morning has a warning about issues like protectionism amid recently rosy headlines of widespread growth.

(U.S. Edition) There's a new bill in the Senate that'll change parts of the financial reform law known as Dodd-Frank, which was put in place following the financial crisis. And it looks like it actually has some bipartisan support. We'll discuss why almost a dozen Democrats like that the new measure centers on small banks. Afterwards, we'll talk to Felicia Wong — President and CEO of the nonpartisan think tank the Roosevelt Institute — about the issues Democrats will focus on in the upcoming year. Then, we'll look at how the major auto companies are pushing for self-driving cars sooner than we may have thought.

(Markets Edition) Another day, another stock market surge — but is that a good thing? David Kelly, chief global strategist at JP Morgan Funds, joined us to share why it makes him feel a little bit "uncomfortable." Afterwards, we'll look at how the U.K. is dealing with a corporate collapse similar to the Enron debacle — this one involving a big government contractor called Carillion, PLC. Finally, we'll talk about the rise of high-end male grooming salons and barbershops around the country.