Marketplace

Energy prices are up, and we’ve got a war to thank. Two wars, actually. While all eyes have been on Trump’s on-again, off-again conflict with Iran, Ukraine has ramped up attacks on Russian oil refineries — and the effects are rippling through the global energy market. Also in this episode: Data centers ease electricity bills in some places (for now), travelers turn to buses as airfares rise, and Kai discusses the week’s economic headlines.

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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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

As inflation roils, what will Fed Chair Warsh do next?
The war driving up refined fuel prices might not be the one you're thinking of
Data centers lowered electric bills in some places — for now
As airfares skyrocket, summer travelers take the bus
What does it take to “grow a dress” in your backyard?

Inflation that resulted from the U.S. war with Iran had just begun to cool when President Trump called off a shaky ceasefire. Now, as the world turns their attention back to conflict in the Middle East, economists turn their attention to the Federal Reserve. Will the central bank act to tamp down a second round of inflation? Also in this episode, PepsiCo sees tempered sales in North America, women in finance pivot to social media influencing, and taxpayers foot the bill for wild horse management

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:

Return to U.S.-Iran war is likely to change inflation expectations
PepsiCo had a great quarter — except in North America
The women leaving Wall Street for content creation
When wild horses get rounded up, the taxpayer’s bill grows
Baby boomers are un-tying the knot — and it's complicating inheritances
What it takes to transform a 600-year-old fixer-upper into a forever home

President Trump called off the a ceasefire with Iran Wednesday morning, sending the U.S. back into a military conflict — and sending oil prices back up after weeks of steady cooling. In this episode, Kai calls up economist Robin Brooks at Brookings to explain how a reignited war will affect global oil markets and prices at the pump. Plus: Retailers stock up early for the 2026 holiday season, businesses surpass homes’ energy use for the first time on record, and corporations issue more shares to raise capital.

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:

Trump calls off Iran ceasefire, a move that "obviously will push oil prices up"
Some business owners are stocking up early for the holidays
Why public companies have been on a tear issuing new shares
Businesses are using more electricity than homes for the first time on record
What the energy shock means for the decarbonization industry

Samsung just reported a whopping 1,800% profit increase for the second quarter of this year. But its stock price fell nearly 7% in response to the news. What gives? In short, high expectations got in the way of actual growth. Also in this episode: Baby boomers begin to transfer family businesses to the next generation, buy now, pay later giant Klarna applies for a U.S. banking license, and the telehealth boom is more than super-fast prescriptions from your couch.

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:

Why analysts predict a robust second quarter earnings season
Samsung posted 1800% profit growth. Its stock fell anyway.
The baby boomer business transfer is coming
The era of drive-thru healthcare is here
Fintechs harbor banking dreams

U.S. families expect to spend more than $900 on back-to-school shopping this year, according to one PwC survey. Big box retailers have taken advantage of anxiety about higher costs by pushing school supplies earlier than ever. In this episode, how consumer mood correlates to consumer spending. Plus: Holiday weekend heat strains electric grids, Boeing and Airbus aircraft demand persists, and algae can make or break Great Lakes summer tourism.

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:

Anxiety is driving some of our early back-to-school shopping
Chicago Fed launches a new consumer sentiment composite index
Weekend heat wave tests the country's power grid
What's behind the massive appetite for new Boeing and Airbus planes
How the algae in Lake Erie can make or break the Great Lakes economy
How homeownership turned an HR professional into a plant entrepreneur