
50 episodes

Marketplace Marketplace
-
- Business
-
-
5.0 • 1 Rating
-
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.
-
When slowing wage growth isn’t so bad
New Labor Department data shows that wage growth slowed to 1% last quarter. That may not sound too rosy for workers, but it’s welcome news to Federal Reserve officials, who are mulling additional interest rate hikes as they try to deflate wage growth and keep unemployment under control at the same time. Also, the continuing pull of cookbooks, the billions in unclaimed college financial aid and the impacts of rising prices on wedding planning.
Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace! -
How do economists forecast recessions?
Many CEOs and economists anticipate a recession this year. But their predictions, based on economic data and historical trends, are part art and part science. Today, we’ll dig into how those forecasts are made. Plus, why inflation varies depending on where you live, how business owners in China feel about reopening and how lawmakers’ pay, or lack thereof, influences who serves in government.
Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace! -
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 the growing business of liquidation.
Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace! -
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, we’ll examine the two sides of the GDP coin. Then, we’ll tour a Costco returns warehouse in New Jersey and visit a co-working space in Seattle.
Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace! -
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 in the first place? We explore. Then, we’ll examine the limitations of the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure and visit an irreverent beverage company making canned water cool.
Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace! -
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 manufacturing decline. Plus, why copper prices are rising, how commercial lending is faring amid high interest rates and where the streaming economy is going.