Marketplace Morning Report

Who would've thought? Last month, PepsiCo cut snack prices. McDonald's has been cutting prices, too, and said it's paying off. Yesterday, the company released better-than-expected results for the tail end of 2025. Also, big revisions to datasets like yesterday's jobs report are becoming more common in an economy undergoing big shifts, and Germany is looking to recruit foreign-born skilled workers as harsher immigration policy and rhetoric make the U.S. less appealing.

Jittery investors continue to punish stocks of companies that may (or may not) face major disruption from artificial intelligence. Last week, it was software firms, then insurance brokers. Now, it's financial brokerages that offer people planning advice — the likes of Charles Schwab, Raymond James, and Ameriprise. But what's lost when we lose human capabilities in financial services? Plus, U.S. allies like Canada and the U.K. are increasingly turning to China for trade deals.

From the BBC World Service: Russia has ordered a block on WhatsApp, the Kremlin confirmed. The app has more than 100 million users in Russia, who have now been cut off from the platform, and the Russian government is pushing users to download Max, Russia's state-owned messaging platform. Then, China's carbon dioxide emissions fell by 0.3% in 2025, the first full year to show a decline. And, as summers get hotter, Europeans are looking to "coolcation" in colder climes.

Five years ago, Winter Storm Uri took out the lights across the Lone Star State. Hundreds of people died, millions of Texans were left without heat, and it cost the state billions. What's changed since then? Plus, new payroll numbers are higher than expected, and unemployment is slightly down, but revisions to last year's totals complicate the story. And later, we check out what one of the country's most environmentally friendly homes looks like 18 years later.

The U.S. is facing a housing affordability crisis — one that's been exacerbated by natural disasters like Hurricane Helene in 2024 and last year in California, when fires destroyed 12,000 homes. This morning, "Marketplace Morning Report" host David Brancaccio checks in with two people who are rebuilding differently to ensure the safety and comfort of their new abodes. Also on the show: a look at January's job market and votes to repeal President Donald Trump's import taxes.

From the BBC World Service: Cuba's tourism industry suffered a major blow after dozens of flights were cancelled because of a lack of aviation fuel; Air Canada, which flies many tourists to the Caribbean island, suspended flights because of the shortages. Plus, British department store Harrods said more than 180 survivors of abuse by the store's former owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed, are currently engaged in its compensation scheme. And later, could 2026 be the year high-powered electric motorcycles go mainstream?

The cost of employing people didn't go up as much as predicted. At one level, that's too bad since who doesn't want a bigger raise? But if you're worried about interest rates or want inflation to come down, you may see this differently, which may be a bigger story than news of disappointing retail sales. Plus, South African farmers are turning to China for sales, and job market expectations improved in January.

Reuters reports that the Environmental Protection Agency will roll back its "endangerment finding" determination, which had been at the core of its regulation of gases linked to climate change and recognized greenhouse gases as a public health threat. Opponents of the rollback say it could encourage states to write new rules on emissions and allow for more pollution. Then, we'll learn how some states are choosing to conform to federal tax changes (or not) made in last summer's huge spending and tax law.

From the BBC World Service: President Trump says he'll prevent a multibillion-dollar bridge linking Canada and the United States from opening unless Canada compensates the U.S. In a lengthy social media post complaining about Canadian trade practices, Trump suggested the U.S. should own half of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Ontario and Michigan. We'll hear the latest. Plus, how have farmers been dealing with disruption to export markets resulting from Trump's tariffs?

We just had a partial government shutdown, and now we're edging closer to another. It would involve just one federal agency — the Department of Homeland Security. DHS will run out of money this Saturday if Congress doesn't reach a compromise over ICE and pass a funding bill, but other agencies would be affected. Also on the show: the jobs report, buyers of U.S. debt, and Russian strikes on Ukrainian heating systems.

Twice now, figure skaters at the Winter Olympics were told the music they wanted to skate to — and had been practicing to — could not be used. Spain's Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté, who wanted to skate to songs and sounds from "Minions," has since secured the rights. Today, we look into the complicated world of sports, music, and copyright. Also on the program: stocks soar in Japan and what warming waters mean for Maine's fishing industry.

From the BBC World Service: Japanese stocks jumped to record levels after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's landslide win in a snap general election as investors bet on her vision of a “strong and prosperous” nation. The Nikkei 225 benchmark rose as much as 5.7% on Monday, hitting a record high. We also have a report from Ukraine, where Russian drone attacks on energy infrastructure have left much of the city's population in the freezing cold throughout the country's long winter.

The Trump administration has launched the new TrumpRx website, where people can shop for prescription drugs at discounted rates. The site, a hub that points cash-paying customers to five participating manufacturers' websites, went live yesterday. We dig in. Then, it's been a bumpy week for markets. What should we make of it? Plus, we speak with a Minneapolis restaurant owner who says sales are down 50% due to ICE's crackdown in the city.

Software companies are in trouble. Or at least their stocks are. Salesforce is down 25%, and Intuit is down 31%, after startup Anthropic released a new tool sparking fear among investors that software companies are in danger of becoming obsolete. We'll learn more. Then, all kinds of cryptocurrencies are cratering in value, and we'll hear what it's like to be a small business in an anemic job market.

From the BBC World Service: Japanese voters will give their verdict on the government of Sanae Takaichi this weekend after Japan's first female prime minister called a snap election just months into her first term. How is the economy there shaping the election? Plus, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel says his government is trying to solve an energy crisis exacerbated by U.S. sanctions. And we check in with a company on a tiny Scottish island that produces an essential piece of Winter Olympics equipment.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be on Capitol Hill again today for another grilling. He's scheduled to appear before the Senate Banking Committee. Yesterday, Bessent appeared before the House Financial Services Committee to talk about oversight of the U.S. financial system, where he sparred with Democrats. And later in the program, wages are making up a shrinking share of overall income. Also: discussions of Fed independence, inflation, and more.

News Corp — the parent company of The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch, and Fox News — announces quarterly profits today. Meanwhile, The Washington Post laid off a third of its staff yesterday. Today, we'll delve into the state of the media industry and why it's such a struggle to find a business model that works. Then, Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go is closing up shop. What went wrong with Amazon's foray into physical stores?

From the BBC World Service: Little luxuries can become routine during tougher economic times. The newest iteration of the “lipstick effect,” the phenomenon is called "little treat culture" on TikTok, where videos using the hashtag have grown by 75% globally over the past year. This morning, we'll delve into the business model of treat-onomics. But first, TSMC confirms plans to make AI semiconductors in southern Japan, and gig workers in India are planning a nationwide strike.

The Small Business Administration will no longer allow green card holders to apply for SBA loans. The new policy was announced on Monday and takes effect next month. This program doesn't lend money directly to businesses; it provides loan guarantees to lenders, and the loans are usually cheaper than traditional borrowing. We learn more. Then, for older people, financial strain may be a warning sign of dementia — before doctors or families start noticing symptoms.

Is a degree in economics, long considered a path to stable employment, even worth it in the age of AI? Recent research suggests entry-level economics and business jobs may be especially exposed to automation. That could leave college students wondering if their degree will be outdated by the time they hit the job market. Today, we'll hear how students and schools are adapting. Plus, work requirement changes to SNAP benefits could impact millions of recipients.

From the BBC World Service: Shares in the Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk tumbled 17% on Wednesday after the weight-loss drug pioneer warned of a decline in sales this year amid increasing competition and pressure on prices. Then, the United States renewed an agreement that gives 32 African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market. And later, the prime minister of Spain says he intends to ban social media for children under 16.

Of course, we mean "What would Kevin do?" — Kevin Warsh, that is, President Donald Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve chair. And it's a question plenty of investors are asking as they try to feel out his views on inflation and Fed independence. We'll unpack. Plus, we'll head to Venezuela, where acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed a law last week opening the oil industry there to private ownership after two decades.

Layoff announcements have been coming fast and furious: 16,000 at Amazon; up to 30,000 at UPS; more at Dow Chemical, Pinterest, T-Mobile, and more. These latest workforce reductions won't show up in the January jobs report, but they do suggest a labor market under increasing stress. This morning, we'll dig in. But first, tech companies like Google are considering putting power-hungry data centers used to fuel AI into space. What would that look like?

From the BBC World Service: President Donald Trump announced tariff cuts on goods imported from India and said that, in return, India promised not to buy any more Russian oil. But when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the tariff reduction, he didn't mention anything about Russia or its oil. What gives? Then, following the U.S. military action in January, a bill currently before Venezuela's National Assembly aims open its state-dominated oil industry to foreign investment.

The precious metals market has been on a tear, but experienced a severe correction last week. Part of it has to do with the nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed chair. We'll discuss it, plus preview this week's big hiring and unemployment reports. Plus, from our partners at the BBC, one out of every five people over 65 in Japan is living with dementia or has early symptoms. How are businesses responding?

In January, five states enacted laws restricting people who receive food aid from buying sugary beverages and snacks. About a dozen more will follow suit later this year. This morning, we'll learn about how that affects SNAP recipients and grocery stores. Plus, last week, gold and silver had their worst declines in decades. Then, as part of Marketplace's "AI and You" coverage, we'll look back at when the dot-com boom led to a rapid expansion of internet infrastructure — similar to what we're seeing today with AI.

From the BBC World Service: After a historic rally, gold has seen its biggest drop in more than a decade. Silver is also down after sharp swings in Asian trading. The rapid decline comes after President Donald Trump announced Kevin Warsh as his nomination for Federal Reserve chair, a pick many hope can continue to preserve Fed independence. Then, we head to Japan, where local tech firms are helping seniors living with dementia.

This morning, President Donald Trump revealed his choice to lead the Federal Reserve: It's Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor and more recent Fed critic. If confirmed by the Senate, Warsh would replace Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May. Warsh had called for "regime change" at the Fed. On today's show, we'll dig into Warsh's background and perspective. Plus, from "Marketplace Tech," we'll hear how a Nevada startup is taking used electric vehicle batteries to help power a data center.

An increasing number of states in the U.S. not only require high schools to teach financial literacy but also require them to incorporate the fundamentals of free-market capitalism into their lesson plans. We head back to the classroom to hear how these lessons are changing as a growing number of students voice skepticism about capitalism. (Need to head back to Econ 101? Take our quiz to find out.) Plus, following last week's economic blackout in Minneapolis, we examine the history of general strikes in the U.S.

From the BBC World Service: Panama's Supreme Court has annulled a contract allowing for a Hong Kong company to operate two ports on the major shipping route. The canal handles 5% of all shipping traffic between the Atlantic and Pacific, and the news comes as the Trump administration seeks to curb Chinese influence in the region. Then, Madagascar recently opened its first-ever stretch of highway. Can it speed up trade and spur economic development in the country?

The Trump administration held a summit yesterday, all about Trump Accounts — those are investment accounts for babies born during his term. The government has promised to contribute $1,000 to every American child, no matter what their family's income is. We'll help you understand the details. Plus, we'll learn how vital Latino-owned businesses are to the economy and unpack the Federal Reserve's decision to leave interest rates unchanged.

Last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at ending gender-affirming care for transgender children and teenagers under 19. Since then, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed a new rule that would ban hospitals offering that care from receiving Medicaid and Medicare funding. The attacks on transition-related care are having a profound effect on transgender kids and their families, but they're also having an impact on health care providers. Today, we'll hear more. But first: progress on a deal to avoid a partial government shutdown.

From the BBC World Service: U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is the latest political leader to visit China for trade talks. Chinese President Xi Jinping told Starmer that Beijing is ready to develop a long-term strategic partnership. Since President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on most imports, countries around the world have been scrambling to sign new trade deals. Plus, as South Africa has been grappling with 30% U.S. tariffs, farmers there are also looking to China.

We've been deluged with the annual economic and market forecasts that traditionally mark the turn of a new year. Is it worth paying attention to these forecasts, or are they a waste of time? Maybe a little bit of both? Today, we're joined by Marketplace senior economics contributor Chris Farrell to assess their worth. But first, we'll discuss some of the forecasts and market conditions the Federal Reserve has in mind at this week's meeting. And, Boeing's revenue is up, as are its airplane delivery numbers.

There's a chance that the federal government will shut down late this week over reform and funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which also includes ICE. We'll break down the likelihood of a shutdown, demands of Senate Democrats, and potential impacts to ICE. Plus, the Fed likely won't cut interest rates today. And the 2026 World Cup is expected to draw millions of foreign visitors. Will U.S. authorities let them in?

From the BBC World Service: One of the world's leading technology bosses has warned there could be “carnage" if a bubble in AI share prices bursts. The chief executive of Cisco, Chuck Robbins, has told the BBC that while some companies won't survive, artificial intelligence will be “bigger than the internet.” Plus, we take you to Saudi Arabia, where the construction of a huge skyscraper — 20 times the size of the Empire State Building — has been suspended.

President Donald Trump is rolling out plans to make housing more affordable. He's ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds, proposed a ban on private equity purchasing single-family homes, and floated the idea of 50-year mortgages — all while continuing his pressure campaign on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. Will they work? Also, tech earnings this week will offer investors a window into the AI boom, and what we're watching as the Fed meets.

Freezing temperatures and ice over the past weekend have impacted agricultural industries across the U.S. This morning, we'll learn about its effects on timber, sugar cane, crawfish, cattle, and more. But first, major U.S. insurance companies are down in premarket trading after a small projected rate increase for privatized Medicare Advantage plans. And, from Marketplace's "Make Me Smart," federal student loan borrowers in default won't experience wage or tax garnishment — yet.

From the BBC World Service: India and the European Union have agreed to a major trade deal after nearly two decades of on-and-off negotiations. The wide-ranging agreement will see a number of huge tariff cuts and a joint security partnership. And later, President Donald Trump says that he's jacking up tariffs on South Korea. Plus, French lawmakers have passed a bill that will ban children under 15 from accessing social media.

The second deadly shooting in Minnesota by immigration agents has some Democrats in Washington renewing calls for reform to the Department of Homeland Security. This could hold up a spending bill, increasing the chances the federal government partially shuts down again late this week. Also in play is money for defense. We'll hear more. Then, we'll discuss the value of the yen and hear why more optimism about the economy isn't translating into hiring.

Following yet another deadly shooting by ICE agents in Minnesota, more than 60 CEOs there have now signed a letter calling on federal, state, and local officials to de-escalate. Some smaller businesses across the state have temporarily closed or reduced hours as employees and customers worry about being stopped or profiled by ICE. Also: Surging precious metal prices hint at investor anxieties, and we look at the economic impact of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

From the BBC World Service: A group of European countries has signed a clean energy pact, committing to build an offshore wind power grid in the North Sea. The agreement is in contrast to the U.S. and President Donald Trump's strong opposition to wind power. Then, gold hit another high. Plus, Peru's Chinese-funded “mega port” has ambitious plans to become a local and regional hub for Latin America, but is it delivering?