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.

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Yesterday · 25 min
The Fed vs. AI inflation
Ah, the duality of AI. Spending on the technology is boosting economic growth, yes, but it’s also driving up inflation. (In case you were too distracted by Jensen-Huang-enfreude, wholesale inflation was up 6.5% YoY in October.) What’s the Fed — which hasn’t met its 2% inflation goal in over five years — to do? In this episode, how the central bank might be thinking about AI ahead of its next meeting. Plus: Nvidia execs are likely getting very, very prepared for next week’s earnings call and private equity gets its paws on more and more food and beverage chains. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Nvidia this, Nvidia that — doesn't anyone want to talk about inflation data? What will happen at Nvidia's impending earnings call? This retired HR worker never expected to start an art business in Hawaii The AI boom has handed the Fed an inflation problem that rate hikes may not fix From cookies to sandwiches, private equity is digging into restaurants
Thursday · 25 min
Nvidia was AI's linchpin. Now what?
Big Tech’s AI revolution is in limbo after the resignation of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. A giant among tech world giants, Huang played an immeasurable role in the global trajectory of artificial intelligence. What will the chipmaker — and the company so powerful it’s often referred to as AI’s central bank — do without its longtime leader? We’ll discuss. Plus: Tariffs continue to fuel inflation, JetBlue adds first-class tickets, and Bloomberg builds its own consumer price tracker. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Is Nvidia "too big to fail"? Even as they stabilize, tariffs continue to drive up prices A growing Wyoming town faces a housing development crossroads After teacher burnout, she stitched together a new career as a fabric store owner JetBlue adds first-class seats to boost profits Bloomberg built its own high-frequency version of the consumer price index
Wednesday · 25 min
What's in a jobless claim?
First-time jobless claims — that’s the number of people who filed for unemployment in a given week — are at a 57-year low. Sounds good, right? Sure, except changes to the unemployment insurance system have narrowed the pool of eligible recipients. And it doesn’t include the rising long-term unemployment rate. So the question is, are jobless claims a reliable economic indicator anymore? Also in this episode: War in the Middle East gives U.S. LNG producers a leg up, the Nashville Symphony recieves critical support from an unlikely source, and AI investors have their eyes glued to CoreWeave earnings. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: What is CoreWeave and why is the stock market rising and falling on its earnings? How the Iran War is transforming the liquefied natural gas industry What a record-breaking harvest season looks like for one Iowa farmer Nashville's symphony orchestra needed saving when Big Tech stepped in Do low jobless claims tell an accurate story anymore? Faced with a return-to-office mandate, she started her own business instead
Tuesday · 25 min
Inflation just won't quit
Inflation is still running hot, according to the latest CPI report on consumer prices. In October, costs were up 0.4% from the previous month, 0.3% without food or energy. Economists say its a sign those high gas prices have permeated this economy, indirectly raising the cost of just about everything else. The good news? Crude oil, gas, and diesel prices are actually starting to fall. We’ll break down why. Plus: Retailers try to block AI shopping agents and some Americans avoid spending their retirement savings. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Inflation remains stubbornly high across the economy Oil, gas, and diesel prices are declining — but not all for the same reason AI agents are here to help with your online shopping (where they're allowed) Americans are saving for retirement. But are they spending enough? The day after retirement, this Illinois couple opened their own apple orchard
Monday · 25 min
The cost of executive blunders
It’s a common trope in Big Tech: an iconic CEO, interchangable with the brand itself. Jobs and Apple, Zuckerberg and Meta, Altman and OpenAI. Nvidia is no exception — its leather jacket-clad CEO Jensen Huang has superstar status among Silicon Valley elites. So what happens when that image is shattered? In this episode, celebrity CEOs come with steep consequences for a business and its investors. Plus: Mortgage rates decline modestly in the wake of the midterms and young consumers give new meaning to “Made in China” labels. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Charismatic CEOs can be a huge asset — until they’re not Mortgage rates are down sharply since mid-October Rising costs pushed this candy company owner to sell "Made in China" doesn't mean what it used to Disability made her leave her job, but a business opportunity waited on the other side
November 6 · 25 min
An optimistic October jobs report
The U.S. labor market added 165,000 jobs in October, which was more than expected. An uptick in white-collar hiring was particularly surprising. Sure, unemployment remains stuck just above 4%, but more jobs is a step in the right direction. Plus: Declining foreign ownership of U.S. Treasurys contributes to rising yield rates, more friends are co-homebuying in this unaffordable housing market, and we recap the post-election economic headlines. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: How the economy looks post-midterms Latest jobs report shows a white-collar hiring turnaround Foreign governments own fewer Treasurys these days. That's pushing interest rates up Want to buy a house with friends? This Colorado group did it What if you don't have to find another job?
November 5 · 25 min
Oil companies pump it up
A bunch of American oil companies announce quarterly earnings this time of year, and they’re doing pretty well. Oil prices are up and crude production hit a record high last week. Will a strong 2026 mean more capital investment in 2027? That remains to be seen. Also in this episode: Companies swap their stock exchange affiliation, AI floods academic journal submissions, and one family leaves a life in Idaho to protect their trans daughter. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: U.S. oil companies post billions in Q3 profits as crude production hits record level Why do companies switch stock exchanges? AI in academic journal submissions is hurting the credibility of research itself 'Tis the season for cookie decorating classes — and TikTok videos Why this family is leaving Idaho for good
November 4 · 25 min
A divided government could shift the bond market
Treasury yields have been climbing over the past year, which affects the cost of all sorts of borrowing, including mortgages. Treasury is a fancy word for government debt — a government that just got a ton of new lawmakers. So, will a Democratic-led Congress reverse that upward yield trajectory? We’ll explain. Also in this episode: Property tax ballot measures divide voters, data center opposition forges bipartisan bonds in Alabama, and school cafeterias face financial strain. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: How this week's election results can impact the bond market — and interest rates Wyoming and Florida voters come to different conclusions on property tax reform Data center opposition is forging unlikely bipartisan alliances in Alabama Free school lunch is no longer on the menu for many kids. It's one of many strains on cafeterias
November 3 · 25 min
When it comes to the job market, love the one you're with
The September Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey from the BLS is out, and things in this labor market are mostly unchanged, although quits were up a bit. Still, economists are clear: Now is not the time to leave your job without another one lined up. Also in this episode: That stiff labor market may be hampering productivity, warehousing costs are up as retailers scramble for the holidays, and pro baseball faces a lockout in 2027. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: What continued productivity growth might say about this economy Quits ticked up in September, but economists say it’s still a terrible time to leave your job Sometimes leaving the workforce turns into a labor of love Why warehouse space is getting harder and more expensive to come by Companies invest big in pet food research MLB players look to defend free labor market as owners push for a salary cap
November 2 · 25 min
Why raise money in euros?
Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is issuing $6.7 billion worth of bonds in Europe. That’s about €6 billion. Meta is reportedly considering a similar move. In this episode, we explain the pros and cons of Big Tech selling debt on the European market. Plus: AI agents transform the travel industry, Kai tours a satellite factory in Southern California, and the low-fire, low-hire, weak-wage-growth trifecta persists ahead of the October jobs 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Jobs data has see-sawed lately. What can we expect for October? What role will AI play in travel and hospitality? Is bigger better? Why these brothers are trying to build satellites at scale Why Alphabet and other big tech firms are raising money in euros In San Francisco, real estate has reached eye-popping prices
October 30 · 25 min
Spooked investors sink Big Tech stocks
Big Tech firms saw major stock market slides this week. Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Intel all dropped, following less-than-stellar earnings reports. Cracks are showing in the tech biz, and they aren’t all related to AI. Is this the beginning of an AI bubble burst? We’ll explain. Plus: How companies decide whether to offer buyouts or do traditional layoffs, what it’s like to go back to school in your 40s, and where new affordable EVs are available (hint: outside the U.S.) 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Don't let this economy give you a fright Inside Big Tech companies' big slump this week She loved bartending. Then she decided to head back to school Why companies offer buyouts versus layoffs To test drive affordable EVs, he took a trip to CDMX
October 29 · 25 min
GDP growth comes at expense of consumer savings
Fresh data showed the economy grew faster than expected, at a 3.4% annual rate in the third quarter. Prices grew too, by 3.6%. Robust consumer spending tends to drive GDP, but the consumer savings rate — an important financial cushion — is falling. In this episode, when will strong topline economic figures catch up to a precarious consumer reality? Plus: Alphabet stock slides after a disappointing earnings report, apple orchards reap the devastating effects of unusual spring weather, and jobless stats misalign with labor market perceptions. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: The economy grew 3.4% this summer, but consumers got there by saving less Unemployment numbers are near a 57-year low. Why doesn't it feel like it? Here's why Alphabet stock plummeted today China, the world's second largest economy, considers itself "developing." Why? Apple-picking looks different this season after “devastating year" for orchards
October 28 · 25 min
Fed holds rates, but a future hike is pretty inevitable
Fed governors met this week and voted to keep interest rates steady at just below 4%. The central bank says it’s taking a “wait and see” approach to elevated inflation. But what does that mean for banks and businesses that want to borrow money? In this episode, economic forces make for a fraught lending environment. Plus: We take a trip to Costco to understand how toilet paper is an economic indicator, and spend the day out west with a Wyoming cattle brand inspector. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: As interest rates rise, lending gets more fraught for businesses and banks A day in the life of a Wyoming cattle brand inspector How student loans have shaped this family’s economy What toilet paper sales tell us about consumer spending Copper wire stripping is making people money on TikTok
October 27 · 25 min
Lower those expectations
The housing market is a bit chilly right now — new home sales are down, and so are prices. But current homeowners watched their property values grow over the past several years. So when it comes to selling, they’ve got (as Olivia Rodrigo might say) real big expectations. In this episode, the disconnect between need-to-sell homeowners and price-sensitive buyers. Plus: Consumer confidence continues its bumpy journey, durable goods orders are picking up, and we visit Brownsville, Texas, where SpaceX launches are taking over the skies. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Durable goods orders have been picking up. And it’s not just AI. Selling your home? You may need to adjust expectations Consumer confidence ticked up in October. Is it just a blip? In South Texas, rocket launches are part of a bigger economic shift Capitalism and democracy go hand in hand, according to new index For this candy store, it's all about the customers
October 26 · 25 min
What's in AI's next chapter?
A few Big Tech firms are slated to explain their quarterly earnings later this week. AI will, of course, be the protagonist of these earnings calls. Investors are hoping for some positive character development, or at least a spoiler for any plot twists. In this episode, the next installment of the AI narrative. Plus: Central banks prepare for interest rate setting, Treasury rates rise with heightened risk, and the Energy Department adds helium to its critical materials list — again. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: AI is the main character in Big Tech's earnings stories Will the world's central banks rase interest rates this week? At the Belcourt Theatre, you can see everything (including the documentary) Helium is back on the U.S. list of 'critical materials' Treasury interest rates are up because they're looking risky Aging farmers and the government want to save farms, but for many the cost is too high
October 23 · 25 min
Your 401(k) is probably invested in AI
Big Tech is kind of carrying the stock market right now, thanks to all that spendy artificial intelligence innovation. That means your retirement account is probably invested in at least some AI stocks. So we asked an expert: If the theoretical AI bubble pops, will those 401(k)s be OK? Also in this episode: New data shows healthy growth in the private sector, Kai goes over the week’s economic headlines ahead of another Fed rate decision, and we visit a cyber-scam compound in Cambodia. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Treasury yields, tech stocks, and consumer sentiment all took a slide this week Inside a Cambodian cyber scam compound There's reason to believe the private sector economy is actually doing pretty well Got a 401(k)? There's a good chance it's invested in AI
October 22 · 25 min
High risk, high rates — where's the reward?
Everyday consumers aren’t the only ones contending with rising borrowing costs. Corporations are also subject to those fluctuations — but the rates don’t rise equally across the board. In this episode, why companies with the corporate equivalent of low credit scores are seeing extra-high borrowing costs right now. Also in this episode: Rising crude oil prices spell trouble for sustained inflation, P&G raises sales with “innovation-based pricing,” and independent mechanics struggle to repair newer tech-integrated cars. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: How rising crude oil prices could impact the U.S. and global economy "Innovation-based pricing": new versions of old products at higher prices Rising rates are stressing out the riskiest companies This CPA quit, then did one fun thing every day of her job hunt Has the recipe for Reese's changed? It depends on how you define 'change' Independent garages juggle mechanic shortage and computerized autos
October 21 · 25 min
Small town economics clash with Big Tech agendas
In Crook County, Oregon, just east of the Cascade mountains, data centers sprawl across the high desert landscape. The area fell into economic decline during the Great Recession and some residents welcomed investment by Meta and Apple in the form of massive data center complexes. But 15 years on, was it worth it? In this episode, what happens when data centers come to town. Plus, mergers and spinoffs: Abbott plans to turn its baby formula operation into a standalone company, and Elon Musk explores a plan to combine Tesla and SpaceX. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Data centers boosted one Oregon town's economy, but some residents have had enough Abbott Laboratories announces a baby formula spinoff company Elon Musk wants to merge SpaceX and Tesla If “demographics are destiny,” what’s in store for the U.S. economy?
October 20 · 25 min
The loan demand balancing act
On Tuesday morning, lenders like KeyCorp, Mercantile Bank, and Atlantic Union Bank turned in their earnings reports. Those types of regional banks make plenty of loans, especially to midsize companies. In this episode, we look at how they might start getting pickier if rates increase. Also, we’ll look at retailers fighting to offer value to customers, how AI is being used in publishing, Magic: The Gathering driving growth at Hasbro, a wild game processing company, and the booming horror 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: Midsize lenders thrived in the third quarter. Can it last? Walmart is offering a new membership bundle in fight for value AI (still) has the publishing industry in a tizzy Magic: The Gathering is driving growth at Hasbro Hunters have to hunt for a place to turn wild game into food Horror is good business — not just during Halloween
October 19 · 25 min
Consumer credit creep
Inflation is affecting all of us. But when costs go up, lower-income households are especially vulnerable to credit creep — that’s when consumers use credit for more and more transactions. One survey found 29% of buy now, pay later users took out the loans to pay for groceries, double the percentage from just a couple of years ago. Also in this episode: What might happen to the labor market if Fed raises interest rates, how immigration crackdowns are tied to a 14-year homebuilder confidence low, and why political candidates are competing for AI attention. 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. Read the stories in today’s episode: What will happen to the job market if the Fed raises interest rates? Struggling consumers are increasingly turning to high-cost credit for basic needs This farmer was promised a $20,000 grant to go solar. USDA changed the rules How immigration crackdowns are tightening the construction labor market Candidates campaign for AI attention Home-based coffee shops provide unique perks for owners and customers

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