Marketplace

By Marketplace

Business

What's Marketplace about?

Every weekday, host Kai Ryssdal helps you make sense of the day’s business and economic news — no econ degree or finance background required. “Marketplace” takes you beyond the numbers, bringing you context. Our team of reporters all over the world speak with CEOs, policymakers and regular people just trying to get by.

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Save a little, spend a little

01.28.2023

The American consumer saved more and spent less in December, cutting back on restaurants, movies and sporting events. Will that slow inflation? We’ll talk about that on today’s show. Plus, the confusing economy, who holds U.S. debt, and what’s behind ...

Marketplace episodes:

01.28.2023 Save a little, spend a little The American consumer saved more and spent less in December, cutting back on restaurants, movies and sporting events. Will that slow inflation? We’ll talk about that on today’s show. Plus, the confusing economy, who holds U.S. debt, and what’s behind ...
01.27.2023 A glass half full/glass half empty GDP report Economists often see both good and bad news in economic data. Today’s gross domestic product report was no different. The economy grew by 2.9% last quarter, which was more than expected, but there are some signs of a slowdown. Today, ...
01.25.2023 The calculus behind those rent increases Today, the White House announced a slew of actions aimed at helping renters. Though we’ve seen recent glimmers of a cooling rent market, the national median has shot up more than 20% since 2020. So how do landlords set rents ...
01.24.2023 The slowdown has begun for manufacturing After being fueled by a surge in pandemic demand, the manufacturing sector is showing signs of cooling off. Production and hiring in the industry slowed toward the end of last year. Today, we’ll take a look at what’s driving the ...
01.24.2023 Why unemployment remains low even as layoffs tick up Tech and finance companies have announced major job cuts recently, yet the unemployment rate hit at a 50-year low in December. What gives? The answer lies in the still-tight job market and the hassles of dealing with outdated unemployment systems. ...
01.21.2023 Inflation, immigration and the labor force Immigration to the U.S. dropped dramatically in recent years as a result of the pandemic and policy at the border. That immigration slowdown translates into lost workers, and that workforce shortage has contributed to inflation. On today’s show, we look ...
01.20.2023 Is it time for the Fed to slow interest rate hikes? It’s a question that the Federal Reserve’s board of governors is weighing. Backing off too soon means prices could keep rising, but continuing to raise interest rates aggressively could spawn a recession. Today, how the Fed is thinking about its ...
01.18.2023 Why inflation hits people of color harder A new report from the New York Fed shows that inflation makes a bigger impact on the budgets of people of color and low-income workers. Today, we dig into why inflation and the higher interest rates used to tame it ...
01.18.2023 Consumers curb their spending Consumers are expected to spend more cautiously in the year ahead as they contend with rising prices and a potential looming recession. Today, a look at where shoppers are willing to put their money and how businesses are adapting to ...
01.17.2023 Unions are pushing back, and gaining momentum Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 after speaking with striking sanitation workers. Since then, union activity had waned — until recently. On today’s show, we explain why. Also: The rich got richer during the pandemic, and authentic Native ...
01.13.2023 The latest in the government’s crypto crackdown On Thursday, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced it’s suing two crypto exchanges. The move marks the latest in the federal government’s continued effort to crack down on the cryptocurrency industry. But without comprehensive rules to guide them, what’s it ...
01.13.2023 Inflation has come for the cookies It’s inflation day here at Marketplace HQ, and we’re taking stock of the latest consumer price index. We start with the big picture and look at how the pace of rising prices slowed in December. Then, we’ll get into the ...
01.11.2023 Global economy struggles to manage “polycrisis” The World Economic Forum is warning of a “polycrisis,” with major geopolitical and economic threats compounding one another. Talk about a gloomy picture, huh? On today’s show, we’ll unpack the predictions. Also, a tale of two state budgets, an experiment ...
01.10.2023 Those sanctions on Russian oil seem to be working Russia’s primary export grade of crude oil is trading at less than half the global benchmark price, thanks to a price cap and European embargo. But whether those sanctions will work in the long run remains an open question. Today, ...
01.10.2023 Why big banks are “canaries in the economic coal mine” This week, we’ll get Q4 earning reports for big banks, like JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Economists will be eyeing those balance sheets for hints of where the economy is and where it may be headed. Then, what a proposed ...
01.07.2023 Good news for the Fed, meh news for workers Workers have enjoyed healthy earnings increases in the past year, but tucked into today’s jobs report was data showing that the pace of those gains is moderating. Though it’s welcome news for the Federal Reserve’s inflation fight, it also means ...
01.05.2023 How companies decide to lay off workers Amazon and Salesforce are among the companies to recently announce major staff cuts. Layoffs are often one of the first ways employers curb costs, but they can jeopardize a company’s public image and employee goodwill. Today, we’ll look at how ...
01.04.2023 A pay bump for 8 million workers On New Year’s Day, 23 states raised their minimum wage, benefiting an estimated 8 million workers. But pay scales have already been rising in a tight labor market. Today, a look at where minimum wages stand in a job market ...
01.03.2023 How a hot job market could lead to a recession A tight labor market is always a positive thing, right? While it can be good for wages, those unfilled jobs can limit productivity and economic growth. Today, a look at the risks of an economy with missing parts. Then, what’s ...
01.02.2023 With a new year comes new data privacy protections Yesterday, California expanded a privacy law requiring companies to disclose the data they collect from consumers, how it’s used and who it’s shared with. Those requirements now apply to employers too. Today, a look at what it means for companies ...
12.30.2022 Inflation has been the economic story of the year Today, we’ll look back at the major economic stories of the year and lay down some predictions for 2023. The biggest throughline? Inflation, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes and the ripple effects of both. We’ll also see whether Southwest ...
12.29.2022 Who’s gonna even wanna buy a house next year? The housing market is ending 2022 on a pretty sour note. Mortgage rates are still high and the threat of a recession looms. Today, we’ll outline what to expect for the housing market in the coming year. Plus, the federal ...
12.29.2022 The government’s labor watchdog is getting a bigger budget The National Labor Relations Board is tasked with overseeing union activity, but its resources have been stretched over the past decade or so. Today, a look at what a funding increase means during an important moment in labor organizing. Plus, ...
12.27.2022 Unpacking the $1.7 trillion federal spending bill Today, we dive into two components of the omnibus spending bill Congress passed last week. We’ll examine how a funding advance for the Indian Health Service could help serve Indigenous communities and how a bundle of reforms could help bridge ...
12.26.2022 Expect more pay transparency in the new year In the coming year, roughly 1 in 5 Americans will live in a state that requires employers to disclose salaries in job postings. While the laws cover a small number of jurisdictions, the impact could be far-reaching. Could this be ...
12.24.2022 A little more inflation here, a little less there According to the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, prices crept up for services in November but ticked down for goods. It’s a story of shifting consumer demand and rising wages in the service sector. Also on today’s program, we’ll unwrap ...
12.23.2022 Corporations are making more because they’re charging more Today’s revised gross domestic product report includes a tally of corporate profits, which were up 10% over the same time a year ago. Even companies that are selling fewer products are reaping higher profits. Those businesses are passing along rising ...
12.21.2022 Let’s talk about trade When it comes to managing international trade deals and relationships, the Biden administration has been tireless in 2022. Today, we’re joined by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to hear about achievements, challenges and why trade matters to everybody in this ...
12.20.2022 “The Fed is still behind the curve” Prominent economist Mohamed El-Erian was among the early critics of the Federal Reserve for its failure to raise interest rates in 2021. Today, he joins the program to discuss where he thinks the Fed should go from here, what it’ll ...
12.19.2022 Those inventory issues just won’t let up Inventory management is a problem that has plagued many businesses recently, and retail inventories are up 17% since last year. On today’s program, why businesses just can’t seem to get it right and what it means for consumers. Also, homebuilder ...
12.16.2022 To tweet or not to tweet? Brands mull the question. With the increase in hate speech on Twitter, brands are facing a dilemma: stay and potentially tarnish their image or leave behind an audience they’ve spent time and resources building. In today’s episode, navigating the digital landscape in the Elon ...
12.15.2022 The 411 on 2% Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has reiterated the importance of the central bank’s 2% inflation target. But why is 2% the magic number? Today, we’ll take a closer look at where that figure came from and what trade-offs are necessary ...
12.14.2022 What happens when the Fed starts to pump the brakes on raising rates The Federal Reserve upped its key interest rate by half a percentage point today, a smaller move than the previous four. Today, we’ll unpack what consumers can expect from the Fed going forward and how the slowing pace of rate ...
12.14.2022 Can crypto restore its credibility? Following the implosion of crypto exchange FTX and the arrest of its former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, crypto seems to be losing its mojo. Is this just a setback for crypto or is it the beginning of the end? Plus, the ...
12.13.2022 The race to control inflation is a marathon, not a sprint The campaign to curb rising prices is proceeding, and some pandemic-induced inflation is cooling. But getting price hikes down to the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal may take years. In today’s episode, why the last miles of the inflation fight are ...
12.10.2022 The big picture on wholesale inflation The producer price index of wholesale prices rose slightly in October. But wholesale inflation has dropped seven of the last eight months because of falling demand for products and fewer supply chain kinks. In this episode, we look at how ...
12.09.2022 Consumer debt keeps on climbing Americans’ spend-happy ways continue. Credit was up by 7% compared to October of last year, and card balances shot up faster than they had in 20 years. In this episode, bigger debts with higher interest rates are digging big holes ...
12.08.2022 Why are mortgage rates falling? Mortgage rates usually move in tandem with the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve. But mortgage rates have dipped recently while the rate set by the Fed has been climbing. Why? The answer lies in the market for mortgage ...
12.07.2022 Economic security is national security The military, just like everyone else, has to deal with supply chain disruptions and inventory balancing acts. In today’s show, we check in with the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer about the war in Ukraine, a defense bill of nearly $850 ...
12.05.2022 End of an era for a strong dollar The U.S. dollar has given up about half its 2022 gains in the past month or so. That’s good news for exporters, but not so great for American companies that import pricier items. Today, a look at what’s going on ...
12.03.2022 A labor market that’s still on a roll The word of the day today is “jobs.” The job market remains surprisingly strong, wages are rising, and job churn is high but settling. In this episode, a dive into the November jobs report and how it could influence the ...
12.02.2022 How can we tell when inflation is on its way down? There’s no one economic figure that paints a perfect picture of where inflation is going. On today’s episode, we’ll do the numbers for fresh economic data and hear what economists are looking at to predict inflation’s next move. Plus, who ...
12.01.2022 China reaches a boiling point Protests have broken out in several Chinese cities since the weekend over the country’s strict zero-tolerance for COVID policy. On today’s show, “Marketplace” correspondent Jennifer Pak talks to demonstrators to hear about their exhaustion, anxieties and demands after nearly three ...
11.29.2022 COVID vaccine conundrums With federal funding for COVID vaccines running out, doctors and clinics will soon have to pay for doses. Today, we’ll take a closer look at what this means for pediatricians and how the costs may cut into the care they ...
11.28.2022 The “paper ceiling” New York City employers will be barred from using artificial intelligence in hiring starting next year, unless the program passes an audit. AI can narrow down candidate pools but often excludes otherwise qualified applicants who lack a college degree. In ...
11.26.2022 Economically stressed, but still spending Despite inflation and rising interest rates, consumers are still spending as if they were awash in cash. But now they’re using credit cards, spending more on necessities and less on luxuries. Want more economic data? Plenty will come out next ...
11.24.2022 Rising rates and real estate, global edition As central banks around the world raise interest rates to fight inflation, it’s taking a toll on real estate markets far and wide. Today, we’ll map out where housing markets are stalling and where they’re finding buyers. Plus, retailers cautiously ...
11.24.2022 Untangling an economic puzzler Unemployment claims are at a three-month high, which isn’t a great sign for the economy. But orders for durable goods — like auto parts and manufacturing equipment — were higher than anticipated in October. We’ll try to make sense of ...
11.22.2022 A mystery gold rush An unknown buyer, or buyers, has been purchasing a lot of gold recently. About 400 tons changed hands in the third quarter, worth more than $20 billion. Sure, countries can use it to pay for imports during a crisis or ...
11.21.2022 A preview of the wonky holiday season ahead These are still not normal times, and that means a not-quite-normal holiday season. Thanks to inflation, holiday shoppers are getting less bang for their buck, while a pilot shortage is causing major headaches for travelers and regional airports. Today, we’ll ...

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Marketplace

What's Marketplace about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Marketplace episodes:

Save a little, spend a little

A glass half full/glass half empty GDP report

The calculus behind those rent increases

The slowdown has begun for manufacturing

Why unemployment remains low even as layoffs tick up

Inflation, immigration and the labor force

Is it time for the Fed to slow interest rate hikes?

Why inflation hits people of color harder

Consumers curb their spending

Unions are pushing back, and gaining momentum

The latest in the government’s crypto crackdown

Inflation has come for the cookies

Global economy struggles to manage “polycrisis”

Those sanctions on Russian oil seem to be working

Why big banks are “canaries in the economic coal mine”

Good news for the Fed, meh news for workers

How companies decide to lay off workers

A pay bump for 8 million workers

How a hot job market could lead to a recession

With a new year comes new data privacy protections

Inflation has been the economic story of the year

Who’s gonna even wanna buy a house next year?

The government’s labor watchdog is getting a bigger budget

Unpacking the $1.7 trillion federal spending bill

Expect more pay transparency in the new year

A little more inflation here, a little less there

Corporations are making more because they’re charging more

Let’s talk about trade

“The Fed is still behind the curve”

Those inventory issues just won’t let up

To tweet or not to tweet? Brands mull the question.

The 411 on 2%

What happens when the Fed starts to pump the brakes on raising rates

Can crypto restore its credibility?

The race to control inflation is a marathon, not a sprint

The big picture on wholesale inflation

Consumer debt keeps on climbing

Why are mortgage rates falling?

Economic security is national security

End of an era for a strong dollar

A labor market that’s still on a roll

How can we tell when inflation is on its way down?

China reaches a boiling point

COVID vaccine conundrums

The “paper ceiling”

Economically stressed, but still spending

Rising rates and real estate, global edition

Untangling an economic puzzler

A mystery gold rush

A preview of the wonky holiday season ahead