Marketplace

Electricity prices have increased by approximately 40% since 2021, far outpacing inflation. Despite AI data centers making headlines as energy-suckers, that price growth comes from a multitude of factors — including upticks in demand and aging infrastructure. In this episode, you aren’t alone in energy bill price hikes. Plus: Caterpillar benefits from all that AI infrastructure investment, private equity eyes a new form of...

We keep hearing how the U.S. dollar has been “weakening.” Put another way, the euro is getting stronger: It hit $1.20 earlier this week. But the language is a bit misleading — a stronger euro isn’t necesarily good news for people living in the European Union. In this episode, how currency fluctuation can mess with delicately balanced trade. Plus: Consumer confidence fell sharply among older Americans, the Federal Reserve h...

Artificial intelligence companies raised enormous amounts of money in 2025, and made major investments in development and infrastructure. What’s next? To understand more about the role AI could play in our futures, “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal and “Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carino visited an AI company and an AI data center in Silicon Valley. In this episode, the next phase of AI innovation won’t come without...

Artificial intelligence is one of a handful of industries propelling this economy forward. But as the sector explodes, not everyone is on board. Americans are much more concerned about the downsides of AI than excited about its potential utility, according to a new Pew Research survey. In this episode, everyday Americans grapple with — and in some cases, fight back against — the proliferation of AI technology. Plus: Durabl...

The FDIC has approved proposals by GM and Ford to launch their own banking units. That means the automakers will be able to provide their own auto loans to customers. In this episode, a confluence of market conditions drove Ford and GM into banking. Plus: The Super Bowl of livestock shows highlights high cattle prices, changes to online search behavior affects digital ad revenue, and “Marketplace” host Amy Scott talks to J...

Revised GDP data for this past summer shows the U.S. economy grew faster than we initially thought. A few key parts of the private services sector propelled that growth. In this episode, which parts of the economy are actually doing pretty well. Then: Gap leans in to “fashiontainment,” packaging costs weigh on food prices, and elderly care facilities stand to lose critical employees when TPS ends for Haitian immigrants.

The EU owns $8 trillion in Treasurys. Sure, Eurozone governments probably won’t use ‘em as leverage in the Trump-Greenland situation — and even if they wanted to, it’d be complicated — but what if they did? We’ll explain. Also in this episode: United posts strong quarterly profits after a turbulent year, a primary care doctor tells Kai how Medicaid changes are affecting his work, and cover crops are a tough sell for cash-s...

After decades of globalization, the U.S. may be paying a political price: International leaders are forging new trade agreements independent of American influence. In this episode, as some countries no longer see the U.S. as a reliable trade partner, will the global economy leave America behind? Plus: Sellers outnumber buyers in parts of the housing market, Georgetown’s Dorothy Brown discusses her new book about reparation...

President Trump has announced new tariffs on European Union countries, aimed at forcing a deal for the U.S. to acquire Greenland. But the EU could respond relatively quickly, with sanctions of their own. In this episode, the EU’s “bazooka” option. Plus: Trump’s recent housing proposals won’t fix the fundemental issue driving housing affordability, technology has changed how parents dole out kids’ allowance, and we explain ...

An AI-driven construction boom is coming, some hope. But to build all that infrastructure, the U.S. is going to need a lot more construction workers, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and other skilled workers. And President Trump’s immigration policies actively work against that goal. Also in this episode: Trump withdraws the U.S. from a key global climate change agreement, Americans shell out for at-home coffee setups, and Kai...

President Trump recently ordered government-backed mortgage companies (that’s Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) to buy up $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities. The last time they bought these bonds was the 2008 financial crisis. Will the move actually lower rates? Probably not much. Also in this episode: Venture capital can thank AI for a 2025 rebound, banks fight to block stablecoin interest yields, and more young people ...

The unemployment rate in December among people aged 20 to 24 was 8.2%. That’s up nearly a full percentage point from 2024, and much higher than the overall unemployment rate of 4.4%. The job market is tough, and getting tougher, but why is it particularly hard for Gen Z? Also in this episode: Trump’s focus on Venezuelan crude could redirect Canadian oil, companies use surveillance data for “personalized” pricing, and China...

The cost of food consumed at home was up 0.7% month-over-month in December, and 2.4% year-over-year. Go back five years, and grocery prices are up 25%. And like so many things in this economy, the rising cost hurts the poorest Americans most. Also in this episode: Americans carry credit card debt longer than they used to, two ultra-low-cost U.S. airlines make plans to merge, and we get an update from Kansas grain farmers.

The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the Federal Reserve and Chair Jerome Powell, a move Powell has since called "an unprecedented action [that] should be seen in the broader context of the [Trump] administration's threats and ongoing pressure" to lower interest rates. We take a closer look at what’s happening from inside the Fed, and look at the implications for the economy as a whole. 

Every sto...

The rate of jobless Americans who’ve been out of work for over 27 weeks — also known as “long-term unemployed” — hit 26% in December, according to the latest jobs report. That’s the highest it’s been since February 2022. In this episode, why the rate is rising and what it says about the broader economy. Plus: Businesses curb 2026 growth plans, a farmer discusses AI in agriculture, and we check in with an Asheville, North C...

Labor economists will tell ya, productivity growth leads to more hiring. The idea is, once a company is operating more efficiently, they’ll try expanding, which usually comes with new jobs. But in this frustrating and bizarre economy, data show major productivity gains and a stagnant labor market … coexisting? Also in this episode: New York City expands a free child care program, one reporter tries to do the job(s) of the ...

The job market has been steadily losing steam and workers have noticed. Though the unemployment rate remains fairly low, some groups are experiencing heightened job-finding trouble, and overall employment sentiment is falling. In this episode, are job market worriers paranoid or prophetic? Plus: Nvidia CEO announces new AI chips won’t require as-expensive cooling systems, car sales were up in 2025, and economists study why...

This year, amid ongoing economic uncertainty, corporations are expected to refinance old debt, invest in artificial intelligence, and prep for mergers and acquisitions. All of which require extra cash. And how do corporations stretch their budgets? By taking on more debt, of course. Later in this episode: An Altadena small business owner struggles to rebuild after the LA fires, Texas pitmasters weigh rising brisket prices,...

Disruptive geopolitical events often push investors to jump into bonds or sell off stocks temporarily. But when the U.S. military captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and President Trump declared control over the oil-rich nation, neither of those happened. In this episode, markets are largely unmoved by Trump’s military intervention. Plus: Experts say jobs data is most important for predicting where the economy is hea...