Marketplace
@marketplace.org
Every story has an economic angle. We break it down to help you live smarter. marketplace.org 📧 Want even more Marketplace? Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters/
World Cup visitors gave the economy a boost in June. Money spent by fans traveling from overseas counted as “exports” and helped narrow the U.S. trade deficit.
World Cup fans drove up U.S. service exports in June
When fans from other countries came for the World Cup, the money they spent was considered an "export" and helped lower the U.S. trade deficit.
marketplace.org
Why aren’t people eating more McDonald’s right now? Here’s two reasons.
McDonald's sales soften as diners spend cautiously
McDonald's reported second-quarter U.S. sales growth of just 0.8%, about a third of what it posted a year ago. The fast-food giant also replaced the head of its U.S. operations.
marketplace.org
Oil still isn’t cheap, but it could be much, much worse. One explanation for why prices stayed lower than expected: China.
Where did China's oil imports go?
After the Strait of Hormuz closed, China slashed its oil imports, seemingly without reducing energy demand or tapping into reserves. How China is doing it — and why — remains a mystery.
marketplace.org
The Trump Administration has pumped $27.6 billion worth of investments into various businesses since January 2025. Where is that money actually going?
Tracking down the Trump administration's $27.6 billion in investments
“We're tracking 37 deals since January 2025 involving equity or quasi-equity stakes,” said Jonathan Hillman, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. “We're doing the best we can in terms of...
marketplace.org
Sector demand is up as tech companies spend on AI infrastructure build-outs. Plus: Fast food burgers, employment data, and China’s oil import mystery. Today on Marketplace.
Manufacturing boomed in July. Thank all that AI money
Sector demand is up as tech companies spend on AI infrastructure build-outs. Plus: Fast food burgers, employment data, and China’s oil import mystery.
marketplace.org
A wave of increasingly capable open-weight models from Chinese AI companies is narrowing the gap with U.S. competitors and reshaping the global artificial intelligence race.
China’s soft power play in the global AI arms race
Over the past couple of months, China’s influence over the global AI industry has grown. Adam Segal at the Council of Foreign Relations says much of that growth is thanks to China’s adoption of the op...
marketplace.org
Investors are demanding higher returns to hold long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, pushing up what is known as the “term premium.”
Why term premiums on U.S. Treasurys have been rising
The extra premium that investors require to hold Treasurys over the long-term, known as a “term premium,” has been rising.
marketplace.org
In about 3 months, California voters will decide whether to impose a wealth tax on the state’s richest residents. Proposition 40 would levy a one-time 5% tax on roughly 200 of California’s wealthiest inhabitants, with supporters arguing the measure would help offset Medicaid cuts.
California voters weigh $100 billion wealth tax to offset Medicaid cuts
Midterm election battle pits a healthcare workers' union against some of California's richest residents.
marketplace.org
This year’s lack of snowfall could mean trouble for Colorado peach farmers for years to come.
Peaches pay the bills for Western Colorado farmers, but drought makes their future uncertain
One of Colorado’s most productive peach farmers is preparing for the possibility that irrigation water may be turned off before the harvest is finished.
marketplace.org
Why would the U.S. buy tens of billions of dollars of Japanese yen? In this interconnected world, what happens in Japan does not stay in Japan.
Why did the U.S. just spend billions to prop up the Japanese yen?
The U.S. wants to prevent Japan selling more U.S. bonds to stabilize the yen, which would send yields higher and interest rates up for U.S. consumers.
marketplace.org
Oil firms drilling in the Permian Basin are cautiously optimistic as the ongoing war props up West Texas Intermediate. Plus: The Japanese yen, Colorado peaches, and a part-time court reporter. Today on Marketplace.
High oil prices, big oil profits
Oil firms drilling in the Permian Basin are cautiously optimistic as the ongoing war props up West Texas Intermediate. Plus: The Japanese yen, the bond market, Colorado peaches, and a part-time court ...
marketplace.org
Who’s really embracing AI at work? While artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of the workplace, a new report from Indeed and YouGov finds employees, managers, and executives aren’t on the same page about how it should be adopted or used.
Opening the curtain of AI business integration
Indeed, with the help of YouGov, recently released a report on the state of AI adoption and integration among U.S. businesses.
marketplace.org
Google’s AI search is changing the way people find information online — and it’s reshaping who gets web traffic in the process. As AI-generated summaries keep more users on Google’s search page, many publishers are seeing fewer visitors and searching for new ways to reach customers.
Google's AI search is changing who gets web traffic
AI summaries are keeping more users on Google, leaving many publishers and businesses searching for new ways to reach customers.
marketplace.org
Homebuyers are facing another setback as mortgage rates continue to climb. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.66% last week, the highest its been in a year.
Mortgage rates just hit a one-year high
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate edged up to 6.66% last week, the highest in a year, reversing a decline that had briefly pushed rates below 6% in February
marketplace.org
Health insurance is getting more expensive for employers, but workers may be the ones to take a hit.
Rising health insurance costs may take a bite out of your paycheck
Health insurance costs for employers have been growing at a high rate. To cope, experts said employers could raise costs, hold off hiring, or cut into employee raises.
marketplace.org
The NFL kickoff game is only a month away. How much are you paying to tune in?
How much will it cost to watch all the NFL games this upcoming season?
You can pay as little as $55 or as much as $800, depending on which games you want to watch and how you want to watch them.
marketplace.org
Millions of Americans live abroad. How they got there is its own story. Kiki Leigh bought a historic home in Sicily in 2024. She's hoping to officially move in at the end of the summer: https://mktplc.org/4famXw3
Zoox taxis have just received the green light from the Trump administration to hit the road. They don’t have steering wheels or brakes — or really any controls for humans.
Amazon's self-driving Zoox taxis are about to hit the roads
The Trump administration recently agreed to allow Amazon’s driverless taxi company, Zoox, to start charging for rides.
marketplace.org
This Nashville resident had never line danced when he was asked to be an instructor. Now, he has clients flying in from across the country to be taught by him.
How one entrepreneur is riding a wave in popularity for line dancing
A chance encounter led Justin Lee Williams to a career as a line dancing instructor at a time when the hobby is seeing a surge in popularity.
marketplace.org
Taylor Farms has recalled its iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico. But should you still be hesitant before eating a salad?
Should you still be worried about getting cyclopsora?
There are now cases across 45 states.
marketplace.org
Amazon’s autonomous vehicle company, Zoox, got the green light. Plus: retirees returning to work and rental communities prepare for the Sundance Film Festival. Today on Marketplace.
The future of self-driving cars
The Department of Transportation gave the green light to Amazon’s autonomous vehicle company, Zoox. Plus: the Fed’s decision on interest rates, rising health insurance costs, retirees returning to wor...
marketplace.org
The Office of Personnel Management has argued that nondisclosure agreements are necessary to prevent leaks. But, what does this mean for whistleblowers?
Trump wants to require NDAs for federal workers, worrying advocates
Some argue the proposed rule, which would allow agencies to require that federal employees sign nondisclosure agreements, could have a chilling effect on whistleblowers.
marketplace.org
With credit card chargebacks rising, are people just getting free stuff?
Credit card chargebacks are on the rise — part of the reason is fraud
“Since 2021, we have seen in the U.S. about a 29% increase in chargebacks,” said Amanda Mull, senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek. “Globally, it's even higher. It's 46%.”
marketplace.org
With high prices across the board and less spending on general food items, why are people buying more organic food?
In spite of price hike fatigue, consumers are still snapping up organic foods
Even though organic products generally cost more than conventional, sales of organic items have been rising at aggressive rates, leaving non-organic groceries behind.
marketplace.org
Be honest, do you know how many subscriptions you have? This week, we chat with tech reporter Lance Ulanoff and finance writer Hanna Horvath about about the origins of the subscription economy and how we can cope.
Subscribe and save... or not?
How to navigate a world of recurring monthly fees.
marketplace.org
The diamond industry is facing a harsh new reality. Prices have tumbled from their pandemic highs, and the rise of lab-grown diamonds is forcing the natural diamond business to adapt.
What's behind the diamond downturn?
By some measures, diamond prices have been cut in half since a peak during the pandemic.
marketplace.org
Last year, the organic marketplace grew three times faster than the total food marketplace. Plus: Sticky inflation and the rise of (often fraudulent) chargebacks. Today on Marketplace.
Why price-squeezed consumers still shell out for organic
Last year, the organic marketplace grew three times faster than the total food marketplace. Plus: Sticky inflation, young Maine residents learn the art of lobstering, and the rise of (often fraudulent...
marketplace.org
The Bureau of Economic Analysis is making a significant update to how it measures inflation in several categories, with the changes set to be applied retroactively to 2021. While the agency regularly refines its methodology, the revision comes as the BEA faces budgetary pressures.
Why the Bureau of Economic Analysis is updating how it calculates inflation
The Bureau of Economic Analysis makes adjustments to inflation estimates regularly, but it comes at a time when the BEA is under budgetary stress.
marketplace.org
Despite the rising cost of living, adults are pouring money into, well, toys. There’s even a new term for it: kidulting.
Adults are spending big on toys
From collectibles to puzzles, "kidulting" is is fueling growth in the toy market.
marketplace.org