Marketplace All-in-One

Oil prices are jumping around this morning, but you can bet they're up — around 6-7%. Gold, a safehaven for investors, is up about 2%. "We're in a world where markets and investors are increasingly uncertain about where their money is safe," said Julia Coronado of MarcoPolicy Perspectives in a discussion of today's market movements. Also: why we pay such close attention to the monthly jobs report and how sites like Moltbook can disrupt the AI industry.

The U.S. and Israel's war with Iran means a disruption of global oil markets. Iran has closed navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, leaving hundreds of ships sitting idle. While a slowdown of production and exports could hit China particularly hard, this conflict could also impact what U.S. consumers pay at the pump. This morning, we'll learn more, and then we'll hear how air carriers are being affected by the attack.

We create digital breadcrumbs all the time — when we buy something online, when we post on social media, and even when we look up directions on the internet. This is data generally collected by private companies — but how and when should the government be able to access it?There have been lawsuits filed recently against the Department of Homeland Security over its collection and use of consumer data. Jeramie Scott, senior counsel and director of the Surveillance Oversight Program at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, explains how the government collects data about us.

When you hear "meal deal" you probably think of fast-food chains, like McDonald's. But as daily life grows more unaffordable, a new tier of chain restaurants are adopting similar options to hang onto their cash-strapped regulars. It's why Panera just launched a new $10 value meal, and analysts expect other fast-casual joints to follow suit. Plus: Data center construction was up nearly 30% in 2025 but had a limited impact on GDP; buy now, pay later for rent payment comes at a price; we discuss the week's 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.

On today's show, we're taking a trip to the Green Mountain State for an up close look at one of Vermont's most pressing economic issues: housing. Kimberly is joined by Carly Berlin, housing reporter for VTDigger and Vermont Public, to talk about the factors driving Vermont's housing crisis and how solutions, like a catalog of pre-approved home designs, could help fix it. Plus, are you more of a Vermont cheddar or a Ben & Jerry's type of person?Here's everything we talked about today:"Vermont Housing Needs Assessment" from the State of Vermont"Vermont is overhauling Act 250. Here's what the development maps look like so far" from Vermont Public"Vermont develops catalog of prevetted home designs for faster building" from VTDigger"Green Mountain Grub: The Best Things to Eat in Vermont" from Food NetworkWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

MFS, a big lender based in London, has been making risky loans and is in the British equivalent of bankruptcy. Now, investors are buying up U.S. government bonds, and lenders are pulling back from the riskiest parts of the private credit markets. Is there a bigger pattern here? We'll discuss. Then, Anthropic is rejecting the Pentagon's demands for unrestricted use of its technology, and we'll hear how business is going for a Main lobster fisherman.

Paramount Skydance appears to have won the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount raised its offer, and rival Netflix refused to match it, saying the deal is “no longer financially attractive.” The merger still has to be approved by federal regulators. We'll learn more, then dig into the current state of streaming services. And later in the program, roughly half of high schoolers planning to go to college are using AI tools in their search.

From the BBC World Service: First up, British manufacturer Dyson settles a lawsuit filed against it by 24 migrant workers, and the Premier League says it's launching its own streaming service. And while David Brancaccio and the team will continue to share the economic news you need each weekday morning, today marks the final edition of the "Marketplace Morning Report" produced by the BBC World Service. Host Leanna Byrne reminisces about some of the show's biggest global news stories from over the years.

This week, OpenAI turns to consultants to get more companies to integrate AI coworkers.Plus, Apple will be making its Mac Mini in Texas.But first, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei this week, reportedly asking for unfettered access to the company's AI model. If not, Hegseth has threatened to cancel a $200 million dollar contract the Pentagon has with the company. This comes after Anthropic's AI model Claude was reportedly used as part of the operation to capture former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.Anthropic has said it doesn't want its technology used to develop weapons or for mass surveillance of Americans.Marketplace's Stephanie Hughes spoke with Axios tech policy reporter Maria Curi to learn more on this week's “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

The private credit market has grown fivefold since 2008 — it's somewhere near the $2 trillion-mark globally. In this episode, we explain why policies aimed at alleviating the Great Recession triggered an explosion of non-bank lenders, and why their loans are riskier for the economy than traditional loans. Plus: Analysts expect wholesale inflation cooled a bit in January, retailers fret over a late-winter slump, and stock market predictions are sort of like baking a cake. 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.

Things have felt pretty chaotic in this economy since the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's signature tariffs last week. On today's show, Kai Ryssdal joins Kimberly to share his takeaways from the decision and the legal questions surrounding Trump's new global tariff. Plus, how would tariff refunds actually work?

Now that the Winter Olympics have wrapped up, the Milan Cortina Paralympic Games kick off on March 6. Dozens of athletes will represent Team USA in sled hockey, skiing, wheelchair curling, and snowboarding. But getting to the Olympics or Paralympics is expensive and costs competitors an average of $12,000 a year. For winter athletes in particular, the costs can be even higher. But first: why the FDA is looking to put the brakes on compounded GLP-1s.

The AI company Anthropic is loosening some of its core safety principles. Anthropic unveiled a new policy on safeguards earlier this week, moving from self-imposed guardrails to non-binding goals for AI safety. At the same time, the company is facing pressure from the Pentagon to roll back limitations on how Anthropic's Claude AI models are used. We hear more. Also: a conversation about age-verification rules on social media and privacy concerns.

From the BBC World Service: The United States says it will allow some small Venezuelan oil shipments to reach Cuba, providing a lifeline to the Caribbean island. Cuba's electricity grid runs on foreign oil, and without it, the lights simply don't stay on. Then, we'll head to one small town in the north of England, where a collection of 13 charity thrift shops on its Main Street is attracting visitors from far and wide.

With more layoffs in the news, a lot of workers are feeling spooked. It can be hard not to spiral into what ifs: What if the next paycheck is my last? What if I can't find another job? We look at how to cope with that uncertainty and what you can do to help protect yourself. Reema talks with psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, career coach Melody Wilding, and financial educator Jannese Torres, who share practical ways to stay grounded and prepared – from reframing your anxiety to strengthening your safety net.  Have you ever struggled with layoff anxiety? We want to hear about it, so give us a call at 347-RING-TIU or send us an email at uncomfortable@marketplace.orgFollow us on Instagram and Tiktok!

Move over, streaming services. Physicial media is making a comback. A Consumer Reports survey finds that nearly half of people in the US are watching Blu-rays and DVDs. And 15 percent of those surveyed are still watching VHS tapes. So, Marketplace's Nova Safo went out to learn more about what

Consumer surveys show us Americans think inflation will climb in the coming years. That belief could be one reason inflation actually does climb. See, when consumers think inflation will accelerate, it affects their spending decisions. And those choices aren't without consequence. Also in this episode: Anthropic loosens its safety pledge to compete with other AI firms, video game sales could break records in 2026, and outgoing Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic discusses leadership at the central bank.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.

First up, AI has driven a market moodiness as of late. Broader anxieties have sparked sell-offs, while bullish tech optimism has also boosted stock indexes. What gives? Then, companies are expected to spend a whopping $50 billion a month on AI data center construction over the next few years. Those firms are issuing investment-grade corporate bonds to pay for it all. This morning, we'll dig into what that could mean for interest rates.

Last night, President Donald Trump strongly defended his tariffs in his State of the Union address. He made the case for future tariffs, despite the Supreme Court decision last week striking down the centerpiece of his tariff policy. Trump also expressed hope that import taxes will someday replace income taxes. Plus, Nvidia is looking to get back into the consumer market, and mortgage rates dipped below 6% this week.

From the BBC World Service: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says there is a great opportunity to develop ties with China following a meeting with its leader, Xi Jinping. Before the trip, Merz said there needs to be a fair competition and jointly agreed-upon rules between the two countries. Also, starting today, almost all visitors to the United Kingdom will need to apply for an electronic travel authorization that costs around $21 before entering the country.

As teenagers decide whether to go college, and where, more of them are turning to artificial intelligence to help make that decision. According to a survey out today from the education company EAB, about half of high schoolers who are planning to go to college are using AI tools in that search. That's nearly double the number from last spring. And in turn, colleges are spending big to spruce up their digital footprints for maximum AI discoverability.

Raphael Bostic, president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank since 2017, will step down from his post this week. “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal spoke with Bostic about where he sees inflation and the labor market headed, and how the central bank is weighing it all. In this episode, we bring you some of their conversation. Plus: Meta announces $100 billion deal with chipmaker AMD, and average tariffs on Chinese goods come down after SCOTUS ruling.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.

Want more of the Winter Games? We have good news for you: The Winter Paralympics kick off in Milan next week. On today's show, three-time Paralympic gold medalist Declan Farmer joins Kimberly to break down the basics of para ice hockey and how more eyes on the Paralympics can translate to more opportunities for adaptive athletes. Plus, we'll get into the financial struggles many Paralympians face.Here's everything we talked about today:"Milan Cortina Paralympics guide: Winter Games celebrate 50 years and Russian flag returns" from AP News "Para Ice Hockey - About the Sport" from the International Paralympic Committee"Record 15.4 Million Total Viewers Watch Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Across NBCUniversal" from NBCUniversal"It Shouldn't Be This Expensive to Be a Paralympic Athlete" from Self MagazineWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

A new working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research spotlights how immigrants may be shaping the health and mortality rates of older Americans. Researchers found that a roughly 25% increase in immigration to the United States could prevent nearly 5,000 deaths among seniors 65 and over. Today, we'll unpack the findings. But first, an ominous tale of AI destruction captured the imagination of the public — and stock market traders.

Wall Street is looking to recover after yesterday's big stock market drop. Part of it was due to tariff uncertainty, but part of it was also due to a thinkpiece that painted a nightmare scenario in which AI displaced white-collar jobs throughout the economy — in areas far beyond the software, technology, and financial firms that have recently faced a selloff. Also: Depop's new owner and a look at who gets left behind by new Trump Accounts.

From the BBC World Service: Exactly four years ago, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of troops have been killed, and the financial cost has also been massive for both countries. This morning, we'll learn more. Then, the U.S. has imposed a new flat-rate tariff of 10% on global imports. And, China has imposed restrictions on dual-use exports to 20 major Japanese companies, accusing them of boosting a military build-up in Japan.

Imagine you're getting ready for a job interview. What do you do to prepare? You may have your sibling do a mock interview. You might also panic-buy a professional looking workbag.Now, imagine you learn your interviewer is an artificial intelligence bot. This is becoming a more common occurrence. Employers are outsourcing not just the screening of applications to artificial intelligence, but also the interviewing.Ray Smith, workplace reporter at The Wall Street Journal, wrote about how to prepare for this experience after esting a couple job interviews with an AI. He said it was nerve-racking.

Earlier this month the Trump administration revoked the endangerment finding, which gave the federal government a legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions. The move is already being disputed in court. If the repeal is successful, who are the economic winners and losers?“How We Survive” host Amy Scott talks with Stanford professor Chris Field to unpack the history and legal implications of the endangerment finding and how its repeal – though framed as saving Americans money – could lead to higher costs and a competitive disadvantage for the U.S. Later in the episode we turn to one specific winner (or loser, depending on who you ask): the U.S. auto industry. Amy talks with Rachel Muncrief from the International Council on Clean Transportation to find out if market forces and global competition will continue to push carmakers to innovate on cleaner vehicles or if this could seriously slow progress.

In response to the SCOTUS decision overturning most of President Trump's tariffs, the White House announced a new, sweeping tariff of 15% worldwide over the weekend. In this episode, the limitations of this new policy, how businesses are feeling about it, and whether consumers might expect to see tariff refunds someday. Plus: Workers stick to the jobs they have, U.S. battery demand grows, and a new tax deduction could boost auto sales.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.

Following Friday's Supreme Court decision striking down a number of President Trump's tariffs, the administration is moving to impose a global 15% tariff, with some exceptions for countries like Canada and Mexico. The tariffs, which are being levied temporarily under a statutory authority known as Section 122, will bring the average effective tariff rate to 13.7%, according to the Yale Budget Lab. Also on the program: Spain's new plan to bolster its workforce by granting legal status to migrants living in the country illegally.

On Friday, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's sweeping “retaliatory” tariffs, ruling that he doesn't have the authority to impose them under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Many of the administration's tariffs, however, remain intact, and President Trump has announced a new 15% global tariff following the decision. We discuss what that means companies, consumers, and the U.S.'s global trading partners. Plus, new analysis from the CATO Institute finds that the presence of immigrants helps to ease the federal budget deficit.

From the BBC World Service: Governments around the world are scrambling to react to President Trump's decision to impose a sweeping 15% tariff on all imports to the United States. It follows Friday's Supreme Court judgment that ruled the President had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs using a law reserved for national emergencies. And we'll visit Spain, where the government recently announced plans to legalize around half a million undocumented migrants in a move designed to boost the country's workforce in economic sectors that have struggled to recruit. Spain's economy has been outstripping its European Union partners and the government wants to keep momentum going.

Thanks to AI coding agents, basically anyone can program their own software without much technical knowledge. But lowering the barrier to sophisticated web design is also opening the door to more scams. Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino experienced the effects firsthand.

“Building Tomorrow” is a special collaboration between Marketplace and This Old House Radio Hour that asks a simple but urgent question: How do we build homes that can last the next hundred years? From wildfire rebuilds to factory-built housing, this hour explores how new materials, new methods, and new ideas about community are reshaping the future of housing in America. Hosted by Jenn Largesse and Marketplace's David Brancaccio, the episode blends reporting, lived experience, and hard science to show what's possible right now. In this episode, you'll learn about: A massive prefab factory where homes are built like cars on an assembly line.A disaster research campus where engineers crash-test houses against hurricanes, hail, and wildfire. A cutting-edge micro factory using software and small factories to build homes faster, locally, and at scale.Touring a pioneering cross-laminated timber home built as a living case study in low-carbon construction.How a 100-year-old house is transformed into a net-zero, future-ready home.A tiny-house community redefining retirement, aging, and what “home” really means.Note: In the segment featuring Aloe Blacc's prefabricated home, the exterior is made of cement fiber, but the interior is not. The home's fire resilience comes from a combination of steel framing, fiber cement siding, and triple-pane windows.

The Supreme Court struck down many of President Trump's tariffs today. We'll discuss how the decision might affect businesses and consumers. Also in this episode: Since Trump announced those tariffs, some importers have figured out ways to avoid them. One way is through “transhipping” — making a pit stop en route to the U.S. and claiming the goods originated there, rather than China. Plus, we'll talk to a few business owners who are planning for potential tariff changes.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.

On today's edition of “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly is joined by Anna Pope, agriculture and rural affairs reporter for KOSU and Harvest Public Media, to talk about how Oklahoma's agricultural workers are faring amid wildfires, federal workforce reductions and shifting global trade tensions. One bright spot: beef prices! And, we'll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty.Here's everything we talked about today:"Oklahoma fire crews battling several wildfires" from KOSU"Oklahoma-based federal ag workforce lost nearly 1 in 5 of its employees last year" KOSU"Hunger rose slightly in the U.S., a new report shows. The USDA says it will stop tracking the data" from Harvest Public Media "Oklahoma had a bumper wheat crop, but it's not alone. Here's what that means for producers" from KOSU"Beef prices keep rising. What will it take to bring them down?" from Marketplace"Gen Z Doesn't Go to the Club. They Party at Coffee Shops Instead." from Texas Monthly"Job hunters turn to "reverse" recruiters to get an edge" from Marketplace"Americans drank more milk in 2024, reversing a decade-long decline" from Harvest Public Media We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Supreme Court just ruled that the cornerstone of the president's tariff policy is illegal. It says Donald Trump can't impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. U.S. consumers and businesses have been shouldering nearly 90% of the cost of all import taxes, and some businesses are vowing to go to court to get a refund. Also on the show: weaker-than-expected GDP growth, DEI's rebrand, and potential federal regulation for driverless cars.

Mainstream economics acknowledges that some joblessness helps to keep prices down. It's one of the reasons most economists say unemployment at zero isn't actually ideal. This morning, we're joined by the University of Tulsa's Clara Mattei, who argues in a new book that "unemployment is not a problem for our system, but it's actually a solution for it." But first, both Democrats and Republicans grapple with the issue of affordability.

From the BBC World Service: In her first major speech since being reelected as Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi promised to make Japan "stronger and more prosperous." Promises included some changes to the country's fiscal policy approach, which would include big government spending, strategic industrial investment, and subsidies. Meanwhile, lurking in the background is Japan's heavy debt and sluggish growth. Also, gold prices are on the rise, and traditional French brasseries and bistros are facing an existential crisis.

This week, Palantir announced on X it's relocating its headquarters to Miami. Plus, we look at the controversy around Ring's Search Party feature.But first, an update to Google's AI search summaries. If you use AI-enabled search on Google, it'll spit out an AI-generated summary with source links to the right. Now, the company is making links more prominent when users hover over certain words in the AI summary.Google says this new interface is “more engaging.” Marketplace's Stephanie Hughes spoke with Anita Ramaswamy, columnist at The Information, about all this and more.

Consumers have gotten worse at guessing how much goods cost, research shows. Call that literal sticker shock? Accelerated price growth might be to blame, but so is dynamic pricing and the proliferation of online sales. Also in this episode: Trump's tariffs have failed so far to shrink the U.S. trade deficit, wholesale inventory stabilizes as trade war uncertainty settles, and we visit a place where White House energy and immigration policies collide.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.

More U.S. gasoline refiners are moving to buy crude oil directly from Venezuelan producers after the Trump administration eased licensing. Meanwhile, the administration is revoking work permits and visas from many Venezuelans. Today, we head to the suburb of Katy, Texas — home to a large population of Venezuelan immigrants — to hear how those federal policies are being felt. Plus, union membership rose last year, and the U.S. trade deficit widened in December.