Marketplace

Though the latest inflation reports show price growth cooled a bit in June, U.S. inflation remains higher than its peer nations, which include the U.K., Canada, France, and Japan. President Trump’s tariffs are partially to blame. But so is hefty capital expenditure by AI giants. Can anything counterbalance all that spending? After that: Kai explains the utility of Beige Book “soft” data, IBM posts mediocre earnings, farmers fret over fertilizer prices, and student borrowers weather five years of policy whiplash.

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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:

Why is inflation in the U.S. worse than other developed countries?
IBM and other old-school tech companies feel the AI pinch
Fertilizer costs worry farmers as Iran conflict continues
Student loan policy changes give borrowers whiplash
For these entrepreneurs, it's all in the details

We got a better-than-expected June CPI report: Inflation slowed in both the goods and services sectors. But it’s hard to say whether that trend will continue and how it might affect the Fed’s next inflation rate decision. Also in this episode, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh testifies before Congress, so we break down his approach to central bank communication and the Humphrey-Hawkins Act. Plus, an egg price-fixing scheme, the hog lobby, and credit cards.

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 from today’s episode:

Inflation slowed in June. What does that mean for interest rates?
Can the hog lobby — and falling prices — get Americans to eat more pork?
Cracking open the price-fixing scandal behind rising egg prices
What higher credit card spending means for the economy
Why Kevin Warsh is on Capitol Hill today

Five major banks report earnings Tuesday morning, and analysts expect them to be rosy. Despite a volatile energy market and uncertain geopolitical climate, U.S. banks are turning strong profits. They’ve got AI investment and a booming stock market to thank. Plus, the inflation beat: Steep producer inflation could soon show up in consumer prices, economists aren’t sure how long overall inflation will stick around, and we check in with three small business owners ahead of the June CPI.

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 from today’s episode:

Rapidly rising producer prices could spell trouble for the economy
Why are big banks doing so well in this economy?
Prices may remain elevated well into next year
Private jets and fake phone notifications are all part of the "hustlebro" scam

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.

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:

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