Marketplace

It’s probably unsurprising that homeowners are typically wealthier than renters. But a new report from the Aspen Institute shows how wide that gap is: $400,000 median net worth, compared to $10,400, respectively. How do renters catch up? Also in this episode: Older Americans move south to be near family, companies spend more on intellectual property, and a chocolatier in Maine preps for the holiday season.

The homebuilding industry is short over a quarter-million workers, according to the National Association of Home Builders. It’s one reason new home sales fell significantly in October — expensive materials and high home prices are others. Also in this episode: A Baltimore warehouse business navigates obstacles, Yelp celebrates 20 years of maybe-trustworthy reviews, and consumers replace tech purchased early in the pandemic.

Adjusted for inflation, Medicare pays doctors almost 30% less than it did in 2001, the American Medical Association says. And unless Congress intervenes, physicians will take another 3% cut in January. That decline in payment rates has a ripple effect through the health care system. Also in this episode: Investors celebrate Trump’s treasury secretary pick, print magazines are making a comeback and not everyone is thrilled with the outcome of COP29.

Seasonal hiring is in full swing and demand for temporary workers is back to pre-pandemic levels. But unemployment is down, so retailers are gonna have to be flexible to fill those jobs. A lot of those open spots are for warehouse jobs, not brick-and-mortar store positions. Also in this episode: After nearly two years of ChatGPT, who’s using it? And, we visit the only master’s-level nurse-midwife program in California.

The Department of Justice has a proposal for breaking up Google: Force the firm to sell Chrome. In this episode, we’ll dig into why the DOJ wants the company to split from its web browser — the most popular one on the internet — and where AI fits into the antitrust case. Plus: Signs that Florida’s property insurance market is stabilizing, supply chain management is the secret to an NGO’s success, and automakers experience EV growing pains in the U.S. and abroad.

Clothing retailers were foiled by unpredictable weather this fall: October was the second warmest on record, and now stores are sitting on a lot of extra cold-weather inventory. What will they do about it? Plus: Comcast spins off most of its cable network channels, a violin maker talks tariffs, and an author tells us about “The Nvidia Way,” the chip designer’s unique workplace culture.

Blackstone just bought a majority stake in Jersey Mike’s, a sub shop with 3,000 locations. Surprised? Don’t be. Since the pandemic started, private equity has been gobbling up restaurants, especially fast-casual ones. But struggling chains and sit-down establishments can also be attractive investments. We’ll chew on why. Also in this episode: Homebuilders are cautiously optimistic and central banks around the globe are nervous about a flare-up of inflation.

There are various ways to measure economic inequality. Sure, pandemic-era aid programs helped low-income Americans grow their wealth. And overall, wages have gone up since COVID hit. But did the gap between the wealthiest and poorest shrink? We’ll get into it. Also in this episode: Walmart is expected to report a robust third quarter tomorrow, boosted by e-commerce and affordable prices. Plus, retailers fret over a holiday shopping slowdown and the U.S. dollar grows stronger.

We may be two weeks out from Thanksgiving, but online retailers are already locked in on holiday shopping season. While brick-and-mortar stores might not have flashy displays up yet, online shops decked the virtual halls over a month ago. Also in this episode: Houses of worship go all-in on solar energy tech and some small banks are in desperate need of technology updates.

The incoming administration may follow the mantra “Drill, baby, drill,” but demand hasn’t been vigorous and the International Energy Agency predicts an oil surplus next year. In this episode, what too much product could mean for the domestic oil market. Plus, retirees feel financially stretched, North Carolina’s tourist industry navigates disaster recovery and Disney turns a profit on its streaming platforms.