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” take...
You know that national debt we’re always talking about? It’s at $36 trillion right now, and around $7 trillion of that is owed … back to the U.S. government. We’ll explain. Also in this episode: Oil prices will be moved by more than tariffs this year, AI firms are spending big on Super Bowl ads and lenders see an uptick in business loan demand.
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25:39
Theme of the day: Uncertainty
Between President Trump’s changeable policy plans and sticky inflation in some sectors, everyone participating in this economy is, in a word, uncertain. In this episode, we hear how manufacturers, importers and consumers are dealing with that uneasy feeling and get some perspective from Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Austan Goolsbee. Plus, the new Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has unprecedented access to the Treasury’s chief payment system. Should we be worried?
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29:25
Employers pay up for health care too
Spent a lot on health care last year? So did employers. The cost of employee health insurance benefits rose 4 to 5% faster than inflation in 2024. That’s not unusual, but rising premiums do put a dent in corporate budgets. In this episode, why health care costs aren’t slowing down. Plus, a California port aims for total decarbonization by the end of the decade and once-incarcerated firefighters face significant barriers trying to find a job.
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28:01
The economy that could be
If you’re a regular “Marketplace” listener, you’ve probably heard of the Fed’s Beige Book. But have you heard of the Tealbook? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the Fed’s fortune-telling report that helps monetary policy mandarins ideate on possible economic scenarios. Plus: AI tools juggle search dominance with profitability, the GDP report shows consumers still haven’t stopped spending and we wrap up our sojourn in Cumberland County, Tennessee.
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25:44
Cents and sensitivity
When the Federal Reserve changes its key interest rate, borrowing costs adjust accordingly … usually. There are times, though, when they move in the opposite direction. In this episode, we break down interest rate sensitivity and why borrowing rates don’t always align with the Fed’s moves. Plus, we visit the Save a Lot grocery store and Good Samaritans charity in Crossville, Tennessee — two places that support the area’s aging residents, including those who live on low or fixed incomes.
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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