Marketplace
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.
Episodes (135)
What about the regional Feds? What do they do?
The Federal Reserve Board of Governors has gotten a lot of attention lately — President Trump is attempting to remove one member and has nominated another. But there’s more under the central bank...
Slo-mo jobs growth
Job growth has slowed this summer as employers ride out President Trump's economic shakeups. Thanks to uncertain tariffs, funding cuts, and the immigration crackdown, most companies aren’t eager to...
Short-term corporate borrowing climbs
“Commercial paper” is a type of short-term debt that’s paid off much faster than a typical corporate bond. It’s kinda like an afternoon snack — perhaps not great for you, but it’ll hold you over until...
No, private data can't replace the BLS
As the Trump administration strips away federal data collection agencies' funding and pressures statisticians to produce positive reports, we might wonder whether private data can fill in the gaps....
Sticky inflation, Fed drama and the rise of 'cute' debt
Core inflation rose to 2.9% in July, according to the latest PCE data — the Fed's preferred inflation gauge — marking its highest level in months. But despite stubborn inflation and falling consumer...
What's really going on in the Trump economy?
The U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter of the year, with GDP revised up to an annualized 3.3% from April through June. We take a closer look at what's driving those numbers,...
The relationship between consumer mood and spending? It's complicated
On Tuesday, the Conference Board reported a slight drop in consumer confidence, driven by worries about available jobs and future incomes. But a dip in confidence doesn't always mean people spend...
Can the president remove a Fed governor?
Late Monday, President Trump announced plans to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors over unproven allegations of mortgage fraud. The move is part of his months-long effort to...
For every action, something can go sideways
President Trump's recent deal with Intel gives the U.S. government a 10% ownership stake in the company. But today, Intel responded with a regulatory filing, outlining all of the ways this deal could...
Special Coverage from "Marketplace": The Real Costs
These are tumultuous times in the economy. There is inflation, a weakening job market, and uncertainty over tariffs and other federal policies. But the headlines don’t capture the real costs of...
Chili's is back (baby back, baby back)
Brinker International, which owns casual dining chain Chili’s, just beat 50-year sales and revenue records. In this fickle economic moment, how’d they do it? The answer involves viral fried mozzarella...
WWJPD?
Rising unemployment claims will be on Fed Chair Jay Powell's mind when he addresses the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on Friday, and as he contemplates an interest rate decision in September. But...
Consumers embrace their inner Maxxinista
A consumer vibes indicator, in the form of two Q2 earnings reports: TJX (which owns TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls) raised its outlook for the remainder of the year after beating expectations. Over...
Flat pay raises are a sign o' the times
In this uncertain economy, employers want to save where they can. That’s likely why Starbucks just joined a growing list of companies to shift from merit-based raises to a flat percentage raise. In...
As many shoppers scrimp and stress, the wealthiest splurge
New context for the strong-consumer-spending-and-falling-consumer-sentiment combo: According to a Boston Fed report, the proportion of spending done by top-earning U.S. households is growing, and the...
Concerned consumers keep on spending
Recent data show moderate retail sales growth in July — a positive sign for our economy? On the flip side, consumer sentiment fell in an early-August survey. In this episode, why gloomy shoppers are...
Producers feel the pinch
Earlier this week, the July CPI report showed consumer prices remained steady, despite tariff noise. Today’s producer price index tells a different story: Wholesale prices grew a whopping 3.3%...
"Hacks" creators on collaboration, S5, and the state of comedy
HBO Max’s “Hacks” often tackles the push and pull between art and profit in the entertainment industry. It’s a topic the show’s creators are deeply familiar with. In this episode, “Marketplace” host...
Across regions and sectors, inflation zigs and zags
Ever read past the top line of the consumer price index? That 2.7% inflation rate varies a lot by metro area. The same goes for goods categories. So why is inflation higher in San Diego than Dallas?...
Tariffs muddy the future of the global oil market
If President Donald Trump’s tariffs stymie the U.S. economy — which would, in turn, slow the global economy — oil demand will fall. And we're already operating at a surplus. In this episode, why the...
In health care sector, dread over worker deportations
The U.S. health care sector will lose crucial long-term care providers if the Trump administration suceeds in slashing the Temporary Protected Status program. In this episode, we visit Massachusetts,...
Hear that? It's productivity number noise
American worker productivity grew a modest 2.4% in the second quarter of the year. Good news, right? Well, take a look at the math, and the last few months of falling imports and slowing workforce...
Should we fret over rising household debt?
The latest household debt report from the New York Federal Reserve is in. Delinquencies are on the rise — specifically, student loan delinquencies spiked into the double-digits. Experts say the news...
The oil-natural gas conundrum
The U.S. oil and natural gas industry is at a crossroads. As oil demand appears poised to plateau, natural gas demand is in a period of tremendous growth. The rub? Most U.S. natural gas is extracted...
Take it with a grain of salt
As President Donald Trump puts political pressure on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experts worry BLS data will become less trustworthy. Economists following China say they know the feeling. In this...
Trump's jobs report retaliation "raises alarm bells"
The Bureau of Labor Statistic’s July jobs report came in far below expectations. May and June’s counts were also revised down significantly. What’s a president — one who’s championed contentious...
Anomaly or omen?
Employers announced around 62,000 job cuts in July, according to a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas. That’s up nearly a third from June, and more than double the number of July 2024...
Let's take a hard look at that GDP growth
U.S. GDP grew at a healthy clip in the second quarter of 2025. But a mathematical equation can’t convey nuance — like, say, six months of tariff chaos. Clear away the trade drama, and the country’s...
Consumers are still stressed about the job market
Consumer confidence ticked up in June, according to The Conference Board. At the same time, confidence in the labor market weakened for a seventh consecutive month. In this episode, what good are a...
How are lenders and borrowers feeling?
Since it’s unlikely the Fed will make any interest rate moves at this week’s meeting, it’s safe to assume rates will stay up for at least a while longer. That means potential borrowers are weighing...
AI and 'surveillance' pricing
Dynamic or 'surveillance' pricing is a relatively common practice. But what's changed is the sheer volume of our personal data available online, and how good AI has become at connecting the dots. With...
The dangers of fiscal dominance
President Trump wants lower interest rates now, but what could that mean for the economy? "Marketplace" host Kai Ryssdal speaks with Neil Irwin at Axios about the implications of Trump's push to cut...
A new trade deal with Japan
Under the new agreement, American consumers will now face a 15% tax on Japanese imports — a major jump from the 1.5% rate set back in 2019. The White House says making imports more expensive will...
What's at stake if the Federal Reserve loses its independence?
"Marketplace" host Kai Ryssdal speaks with Greg Ip at the Wall Street Journal about growing threats to the Federal Reserve's independence — and why it matters not just for the U.S. economy, but for...
Looking for economic clues in corporate America
We like to say it a lot here at Marketplace: the stock market is not the economy. But it can help tell us how the economy is doing — if people and businesses are spending or saving, investing or...
Will August bring a wave of trade deals or a hike in tariffs?
We’re starting to see the first real evidence of President Trump’s tariffs showing up in consumer prices. But are these manageable, one-time price increases or the early signs of runaway inflation?...
How immigration can bolster an aging workforce
As a nation’s workforce grows older, innovation and delayed retirement can keep economic gears turning. But so can immigration. In this episode, “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal and ADP’s Nela...
Can robots help us care for an aging population?
The number of people 85 years and older is expected to double in the U.K. over the next couple of decades. Apian, a London-based health care logistics company that partners with the National Health...
Want to understand our aging workforce? Look to the U.K.
By 2050, around a quarter of people in the U.K. will be 65 or older — about ten years before the U.S. reaches that milestone. For our ongoing “Age of Work” series, host Kai Ryssdal and ADP chief...
Who pays for tariffs?
Up and down the supply chain, companies are facing a dilemma: Should they absorb tariff surcharges and keep prices down, or pass on the cost to customers, and risk losing business? Most are taking a...
The GOP slashed $1 trillion from Medicaid's budget. What now?
The Medicaid budget just lost about $1 trillion. Eleven million more Americans will go uninsured, the CBO estimates, and those who remain Medicaid-eligible may lose coverage for "optional" services....
Reliable earnings outlooks? In this economy?
When companies release earnings reports, they often predict where they’re headed next, profit-wise. Lately, thanks to all that pesky economic uncertainty, some firms have altered their forecasts or...
Let's get a grip on the labor market
The June jobs report gave a sunny picture of the labor market. But if you’re, say, looking for a job right now, you may see things a bit differently. What gives? In this episode, we break down the...
RIP to the EV tax credit
A tax credit for electric vehicles was killed under the latest GOP tax and spending bill. It's a credit that has existed in some form for nearly 20 years. In this episode, how the tax break supported...
The consequences of tariff uncertainty
Trump officials signaled tariffs will be once again postponed, possibly to August 1. But as the White House nails down details, some businesses are suffering while they wait. In this episode,...
What happens when states manage public land?
Some conservatives think states should take over management of federal land. But often, states lack adequate resources, or use land for revenue rather than recreation or conservation. This...
Fear of ICE raids keeps California farm workers on edge
On California farms, ICE raid fears persist — at least half of the state’s crop workers are undocumented. As a result, the farms that grow three-quarters of U.S. fruits and nuts are experiencing...
Reading the labor market tea leaves
Consumer spending sputtered in May, likely thanks to tariffs and related uncertainty. Not only does that give us a clue as to where GDP is headed, it could also help us predict the labor market's next...
Time for a national debt history lesson
The Senate just narrowly passed the latest version of the GOP tax and spending bill, and the House will vote on it tomorrow. Nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Budget Office say the bill will...
An American manufacturing road trip
Several regional Fed offices reported soft or stagnant manufacturing activity this spring. Tariffs, immigration policy and other uncertainties are driving pullbacks across the sector. In this episode,...
All eyes on the inflation data
It's been a big week for economic data, with key reports on GDP, PCE, retail sales and consumer sentiment numbers. Bloomberg's Kate Davidson and the Wall Street Journal's Greg Ip join “Marketplace”...
Finding work is tough in a stalled labor market
Continuing unemployment claims just hit nearly two million — the highest number since November 2021. There’s not much hiring right now and workers with jobs aren’t going anywhere. In this static labor...
Prepping for all possibilities
Just two weeks out from the Trump administration’s tariff pause deadline, no one is quite sure what to expect. In this episode, experts weigh in on what sort of deals the U.S. is likely to make and...
Consumers couldn't turn frowns upside-down for long
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index dropped in June. That’s after a brief reprive in May from a monthslong downward slide. Uncertainty surrounding the job market, tariffs, that GOP tax...
Despite Iran conflict, U.S. oil production is unlikely to budge
After launching air strikes on Iranian unclear facilities over the weekend, President Trump posted to Truth Social, demanding that U.S. oil firms “drill, baby, drill.” Although ongoing conflict in the...
Auto repair shops struggle under Trump's tariffs
In the “tariffs the Trump administration has announced and actually put into long-term effect” category? A 25% tax on some automotive parts. In this episode, we visit an auto repair shop in Vermont...
Home sales grow less competitive
This spring, just 28% of U.S. homes sold above asking price, according to Redfin. That’s the lowest spring rate since 2020. The trend toward selling at or below asking price is good news for buyers....
Break glass in case of oil price shock
The Fed kept interest rates as-is today, and Chair Powell said policymakers are “well-positioned to wait” before making another move. But what if oil price shock, propelled by roiling conflict in the...
Food banks tackle summer break hunger
This is a busy time for food banks — without school breakfast and lunch programs, more families lean on them. But between millions of dollars slashed from the USDA budget and heightened deportation...
The Fed's got an interest rate decision to make
The Federal Open Market Committee meets later this week, and it’s pretty likely they’ll examine why tariffs didn’t drive inflation up in May. The good news? A slew of economic data coming out this...
Shipping costs are up. Thank Trump's seesawing trade policy.
When President Trump slapped sky-high tariffs on goods from China, exporters rerouted ships elsewhere. Now that those tariffs are on pause, shipping costs aren’t magically coming down — the cargo is...
No, the Fed should not stop paying interest on reserves
You might’ve missed it amid all the Congressional budget hoopla, but Senator Ted Cruz recently floated ending Federal Reserve interest payments, claiming it would save a trillion dollars over ten...
Tariff-driven price bloat hasn't arrived just yet
Prices rose 0.1% in May, according to the latest consumer price index — that’s less than some analysts anticipated. It seems tariffs haven’t quite hit consumers’ wallets yet. We’ll explain what might...
Tariff fears likely shrunk the GDP
When new gross domestic product data comes out tomorrow, economists expect we'll see the first GDP contraction in three years. But the report is backward-looking, so if the GDP did shrink, it will be...
Taxes due today on goods sold tomorrow
Though it’s hard to say how much tariff-driven sticker shock consumers can stomach, some retailers have begun raising their prices. Other companies are rushing to set up “foreign trade zones” which...
In this uncertain economy, gold shines
The stock and bond markets may tumultuous right now, but gold prices have been on a tear. This week, they hit an all time high of $3,500 an ounce. In this episode, why nervous consumers, investment...
Trump aims axe at community lender fund
The Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund supports lenders in far-flung and underserved areas. It also made a laundry list of federal programs President Trump deemed unnecessary...
Say goodbye to affordable clothing
Trump’s tariffs will touch the vast majority of industries, but apparel — clothes, shoes, accessories — will be particularly impacted. Around 98% of clothing sold in the U.S. is imported, primarily...
No job? No office phone? Thanks DOGE.
Verizon lost nearly 300,000 monthly phone subscribers in the first quarter. The telecom giant put partial blame on ongoing government layoffs. Verizon will bounce back, analysts say, but its bad news...
Boeing aircraft, duty-free no more
The scale and volatility of the trade war may be surprising, but tariffs aren’t new — unless you’re an aircraft manufacturer. (A trade agreement eliminated duties on commercial jets in 1980.) Last...
Special Coverage from Marketplace: Selling America
Stop us if you’ve heard this before: We’re in an unprecedented economic moment. But this time really is different. America’s place in the global economy is shifting, and what happens next is going to...
A housing market dilemma
Some relief seems to have arrived on the housing shortage front — listings are up 9% compared to last year. But buyers who’ve been waiting for more properties to go on the market? Not many are biting....
Amid turmoil, firms cling to their employees
First-time jobless claims have been pretty stable since the start of March — unlike many other parts of the economy. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and immigration restrictions may not be ideal for...
Tariff anxiety turns fun splurges into stress purchases
We’ve heard about people rushing to replace big-ticket essentials ahead of trade war-related price hikes, but what about stuff that’s more of a want than a need? In this episode: Tariff anxieties...
Counting the ways tariffs disrupt our economy
For the first few years of the pandemic, businesses navigated a backed-up global supply chain that left some with excess inventory and others with no inventory at all. Tariffs may cause similar...
Office uncertainty — inside and out
Fear of unemployment jumped 4.6 percentage points to 44% in March, according to a New York Fed survey. That’s the highest it’s been since April 2020. Expect the commercial real estate market to feel...
Expect tariff evasion
Just like some people fudge the numbers to lower their taxes, some companies do the same when paying tariffs on foreign goods. The federal government is mostly trusting that what’s in that shipping...
Eyeing the bond market
Stocks aren’t the only assets in the financial markets that were beat up this week by President Trump’s tariffs. Bonds suffered too. After 3-year Treasury yields rose in the face of disappointing...
Acting on uncertainty
We’ve said it more than once lately: This economy is defined by uncertainty. And as President Trump makes aggressive, if erratic, moves on trade and federal funding, firms and organizations are taking...
A cold snap in corporate bonds
The issuance of corporate bonds has slowed to a crawl, thanks to all that uncertainty in the economy. And without raising money in the bond market, firms may pull back on long-term investments. Also...
Footwear will likely still be “Made in China”
Import levies on Chinese goods amount to 54% right now. But some things that China excels at producing will likely remain in China. In this episode, why shoemaking can’t up and leave anytime soon....
Who will tariffs hurt the most?
Tariff-driven inflation will hit Americans with the lowest incomes the hardest, slashing their disposable income by at least $1,700 a year, the Yale Budget Lab predicts. We’ll explain why. And the...
Reminder: Tariffs are taxes.
Uncertainty about tariffs and trade policy has been top of mind since President Donald Trump’s election in November. We finally know how high those tariffs will be (between 10% and 54%) and to which...
Q1 dealmaking takes a dive
Corporate dealmakers hoped merger and acquisition ventures would heat up this year. But the first quarter of 2025 saw the slowest M&A activity in more than a decade, according to Dealogic. In this...
The negative wealth effect
People feel richer — and spend accordingly — when their assets rise in value. That’s called the wealth effect. But when folks get their retirement account statements for Q1 of 2025, they may...
Will owning a home ever be affordable again?
Just how expensive has homeownership become? To afford a typical home, households need an income of about $117,000 right now — a 50% increase from $78,000 in January 2020, according to a Bankrate...
Are U.S. consumers finally running out of steam?
Consumers say they’re fed up with inflation, then they keep spending. But their behavior could be catching up with their anxiety, an economist told us. The clues are in data released today by the...
Uncertainty, thy name is tariff
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.4% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported today. That number tells us where the economy was headed coming into this year. But...
The law of unintended consequences
More tariffs are on the way, this time targeting vehicle imports. President Donald Trump favors import taxes, partly because, he argues, they’ll help shrink the U.S. trade deficit. But if...
Consumer confidence continues to dim
The latest reading marks the fourth straight month of declining consumer confidence, and it fell more than expected. How will the souring mood affect spending and the job market? Also in this episode:...
Will tariffs boost U.S. manufacturing?
The Donald Trump administration wants to strengthen U.S. manufacturing with tariffs on imported goods. We look at the latest purchasing managers report to see if new trade policies have made an...
Measuring a tax cut is all about the framing
We’re tackling a “mysterious and important” question in today’s episode: Should Congress use “current policy” or “current law” baseline when measuring...
These sectors are bracing for price hikes
More tariffs are set to take effect April 2, and in most cases, American consumers and businesses will pay the tax. We’ll explain why some sectors expect prices to rise as soon as next month...
Fed takes “wait and see” approach with tariffs
Federal Reserve policymakers aren’t cutting interest rates right now, though they expect two rate cuts in 2025. When — and if — those cuts come will depend on how the trade war shakes out. In...
Stress-Googling “recession”? You’re not alone.
“Recession” recently peaked on Google Trends — a sure sign Americans are sweating the possibility of an economic downturn. But what do the numbers say? Well, the hard data so far reflects...
Working 9 to 5 — and 6 to 11. Maybe weekends too.
About 8.9 million. That’s how many U.S. workers worked more than one job in February — an all-time high, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We spoke with some workers holding multiple...
Will homebuyers spring at lower rates?
Mortgage rates have fallen recently to 6.6% for a 30-year fixed. But will it be enough to bring prospective homebuyers off the sidelines? Not according to one survey, which found some buyers are...
The weakening dollar
The U.S. Dollar Index has fallen sharply in the last few weeks, thanks largely to tariff flip-flopping and overall economic uncertainty. Typically, significant sustained changes in a currency’s...
Could economic feelings become fact?
Just 44% of employees feel confident about the next six months at their company, a Glassdoor survey found — the lowest in nine years. Thank government layoffs, tariff uncertainty and a toughening job...
Remember tariff exclusions?
Back in 2018 — the last time President Donald Trump led a trade war — some businesses got tariff exemptions if they imported goods that couldn’t be sourced in the U.S. Was the process to apply...
Selling a “completely destroyed” home
Terri Bromberg lost her home of 20 years in the Los Angeles fires. Rather than rebuild, the artist and professor chose to sell and move elsewhere. Prospective buyers put in bids without being able to...
The contrarian jobs report
Overall employment dropped last month, according to the monthly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the same time, employers added jobs to the economy. Weird, right? Well, two surveys...
This isn’t the 2018 trade war
The Federal Reserve may be steering the economy through another trade war. But this time, the inflation of the last few years complicates its task. Also in this episode: Unemployed...
Uncertainty is a certainty
Ask an economist what’s driving decision-making right now, and the answer may well be “uncertainty.” In this episode, the unpredictable environment fuels a range of change: The labor...
Tariff pain and retaliation
They’re here: President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico begin today, as well as an additional 10% tax on goods from China. In this episode, we hear from business...
Bird flu spreads its wings
As bird flu proliferates across U.S. farms, infecting chickens, cows and even humans, some public health experts worry that that funding to deal with it has been inadequate. Above all, they say we...
Will Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes workers stay?
In the past decade, filming outside of Los Angeles has become a cost-effective option for many major studios. And lower housing costs are driving many lighting techs, grips and gaffers to follow. With...
Hope or fear?
Capital goods orders picked up in January — that’s stuff businesses buy that’ll last a while, like tools and equipment. Is it a sign business owners have money to spend? Or, have tariffs...
The GDP equation
The second Trump administration has made spending cuts a priority — already, the president has enacted a funding freeze and laid off thousands of federal workers. Reduced government spending will...
A housing reality check
Home Depot, which makes most of its money from renovations, said small projects are driving its sales. That suggests homeowners are staying put — maybe improving the home they have while waiting for a...
Who’s in the consumer-spending driver’s seat?
The top 10% of earners account for half of all consumer spending in the U.S., a new study shows. In other words, if the goods and services Americans buy in a year were a pie, those with the highest...
Tumbling economic sentiment — especially for Dems
American consumers agree: High prices aren’t going anywhere. All that stress about inflation, and throw in the impact of tariffs, heightens uncertainty, which translates into negative economic...
Access to federal data in flux
Last month, key federal data sets were removed from government websites following actions by the Donald Trump administration, and researchers rushed to preserve the information. David Van Riper of...
Vote with your wallet
Nearly half of consumers say they’ve taken action to align their spending with their moral views since the November election, a new Harris Poll shows. That includes boycotting brands based on campaign...
How low can it go?
At the national level, 2.5% is the lowest the unemployment rate has ever been … and that was for just two months in 1953. We’re at 4% right now, but the labor market is pretty tight. In...
All these sellers, but where are the buyers?
Tons of sellers listed their homes in January, after months of waiting in vain for mortgage rates to fall. But many would-be buyers are facing economic uncertainty and aren’t ready to make an...
Do you buy the retail sales number?
Retail sales were down in January, but the Census Bureau report — with its mish-mosh of data — can obscure nuances in consumer spending. In this episode, we talk to economists and other experts about...
Time to sell!
Homeowners have been clinging to low mortgage rates for the past few years, stifling the housing market. But new data from Zillow shows once-patient sellers are finally pulling the trigger, despite...
What’s next for BP?
After a rough 2024, energy giant BP is expected to announce a “fundamental reset” of its business strategy this month. We don’t know for sure what that means, but industry experts...
Making waves
The sun isn’t always shining and wind isn’t always blowing, but what if there was an always-available renewable energy source? In this episode, we take a trip to the Port of Los Angeles,...
Some things haven’t changed
A series of policy changes are hitting the economy, but some aspects of consumer behavior have yet to demonstrate change. A Federal Reserve survey shows Americans still gauge future inflation at 3%....
Where did all the normal-priced stuff go?
When you’re shopping, ever feel like your options are low-quality budget items or stuff that’s stunningly unaffordable? The growing gap between the haves and have-nots in the U.S. is...
Trump’s bid to take down the 10-year yield
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says President Trump’s strategies of “energy dominance, deregulation and non-inflationary growth,” will bring down bond yields even if the Federal...
So, about those tax cuts from Trump’s first term…
In 2017, President Trump overhauled the federal tax structure. Eight years later, the corporate tax part of the deal hasn’t quite “paid for itself,” as promised. But the personal...
Yes, the U.S. owes itself money
You know that national debt we’re always talking about? It’s at $36 trillion right now, and around $7 trillion of that is owed … back to the U.S. government. We’ll explain....
Theme of the day: Uncertainty
Between President Trump’s changeable policy plans and sticky inflation in some sectors, everyone participating in this economy is, in a word, uncertain. In this episode, we hear how...
Employers pay up for health care too
Spent a lot on health care last year? So did employers. The cost of employee health insurance benefits rose 4 to 5% faster than inflation in 2024. That’s not unusual, but rising premiums do put...
The economy that could be
If you’re a regular “Marketplace” listener, you’ve probably heard of the Fed’s Beige Book. But have you heard of the Tealbook? In this episode, we pull back the curtain...
Cents and sensitivity
When the Federal Reserve changes its key interest rate, borrowing costs adjust accordingly … usually. There are times, though, when they move in the opposite direction. In this episode, we break...
Business opportunity and a tricky balance
As America’s population ages, so does its workforce. That’s why this week, Kai and ADP’s Nela Richardson are visiting Cumberland County, Tennessee, where a third of residents are 65...
Demographics are destiny
It’s a demographic reality: The U.S. has an aging workforce. That’s gonna affect our economy, big time. In this episode, Kai takes a trip to Cumberland County, Tennessee, with payroll firm...
House brands
Private label sales hit an all-time high in 2024, a new report shows. We’re talking about retail stores’ in-house brands, like Costco’s Kirkland or Target’s Everspring. What...
Still looking
Though first-time unemployment filings barely ticked up last week, continuing claims hit a high not seen since 2021 and nearly 1.9 million Americans are receiving jobless benefits. What gives? A mix...
Buy in bulk and on credit
How is the consumer-spending sausage made? Not impulsively — today’s shoppers are value- and credit-savvy. Procter & Gamble attributed its sales growth to bulk purchases against a backdrop...
That’s a headscratcher
President Donald Trump’s first day back in office came with dozens of executive orders and announcements. In this episode, we dig into why some of these decisions aren’t in domestic...
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