Episodes

  • Why have some prices stayed put?
    Sep 10 2025

    Consumer prices have been overall slow to reflect the Trump administration’s new tariffs. So we called up some retailers to understand why they haven’t raised their prices, even though their costs are higher. It turns out, bumping up prices isn’t as easy as pushing a button — and can come with consequences. Also in this episode: Bond yields tell us where the economy’s headed, volatile categories can have an outsize impact on the PPI, and a new book investigates the “double tax” Black women face.


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    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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    26 mins
  • The BLS has a $700 million budget. What's its ROI?
    Sep 9 2025

    Budget cuts may be in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' future. But the data collected by the BLS is critical for federal decision making. In this episode, we calculate if the $700 million investment is worthwhile. Plus: Firms that spend the most on AI slash tons of jobs, economic uncertainty drives up the price of gold, and mortgage rates fall — which is good for buyers but a bad sign for the overall economy.


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    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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    26 mins
  • The price of limiting trade with China
    Sep 8 2025

    China's exports to the U.S. are down a third year over year. That’s a significant drop, reflective of President Trump’s punishing tariff agenda. Although China’s overall export growth has slowed, it still grew 4.5% in August — in part thanks to the strategic redirection to new markets. In this episode, what the U.S. stands to lose by cutting off China as a trade partner. Plus: Luxury brands remain mostly insulated from economic uncertainty and fintech firm Robinhood prepares to join the S&P 500.


    Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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    26 mins
  • Jobs report warning signs
    Sep 5 2025

    Paltry job creation was the headline item in the latest jobs report. But dig a little deeper, and warning signs show up all over: long-term unemployment, Black unemployment and Hispanic unemployment all rose in August. In this episode, why those stats could be proverbial canaries in the coal mine of the broader labor market. Plus: Industrial warehouse demand is down and a shipworker shortage could thwart Trump’s goal of reviving the commercial shipping industry.


    Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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    26 mins
  • What about the regional Feds? What do they do?
    Sep 4 2025

    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 umbrella than president-appointed officials. In this episode, we break down why regional Fed banks and Fed presidents matter. Plus: The latest Beige book shows an uptick in lending, shipping costs are down and an economist walks us through her process for reading a CPI report.


    Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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    26 mins
  • Slo-mo jobs growth
    Sep 3 2025

    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 hire right now. Even the health care sector is showing some cracks. Also in this episode: The number of American homeowners fell for the first time in a decade, economists explain how the U.S. became the economic data gold standard, and revenue from website ads grow more popular among retailers.


    Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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    26 mins
  • Short-term corporate borrowing climbs
    Sep 2 2025

    “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 dinner. In this episode, what it means that commercial paper bonds have been ramping up all year. Plus: Iconic millennial-focused brands pivot to Gen Z consumers, the BLS cares if you’ve got free time, and the Trump White House closely monitors U.S. chip manufacturing progress.


    Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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    26 mins
  • No, private data can't replace the BLS
    Sep 1 2025

    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. Unfortunately, while statistics reported by the private sector have a place in our economic understanding, they're not necessarily comprehensive, transparent, or free. Also in this episode: EVs see record sales ahead of tax credit end date, Chinese AI firms meet at a conference in Shanghai, and regional Feds give tariff uncertainty updates.


    Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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    26 mins