Marketplace

Interest rates on government debts are set by where the market thinks the economy is headed. Fed rate hikes and a disappointing inflation report have pushed bond yields higher. Today, we’ll look at what they’re telling us about the future of the economy. Plus, more stores accept SNAP for online groceries, more school principals are quitting or retiring, and a Los Angeles distillery bets on more nonalcoholic spirits sales.

Economists have been placing bets on how bad a recession might be — if there is one. But retailers have to decide what to buy and how much based on where they think the economy is headed. How are sellers coping with the unknown? Also, what the Supreme Court case involving Google could mean for Big Tech, and why online shopping led to the death of the “smart shopper.”

American consumers are spending lots — and putting it on plastic. Credit card debt has climbed to a record of $986 billion, according to the New York Fed. Is this a return to pre-pandemic, “normal” spending habits or a worrying sign about the economy? Or both? We’ll also check in on Presidents Day shopping, examine a new carbon capture technology and hear how the climate crisis is threatening Europe’s ski industry.

Surveys show that Americans are concerned about the economy and inflation, yet retail sales remain strong. What’s behind the mismatch between what people are saying and how they’re spending? We, like the American consumer, try to make sense of it all. We’ll also interrogate how “bumpy” the road to disinflation is, see which home renovations are worthwhile and check in on the Valentine’s Day chocolate rush.

The debt ceiling dance is well underway in Washington and the Treasury is taking “extraordinary measures” to avoid a default. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has compared the federal budget to a household’s credit limit, but that’s like comparing apples and oranges, or maybe apples and the Pentagon. Today, we’ll outline why. Plus, what wholesale prices indicate for consumers, who’s hiring amid a slew of layoffs and what’s at stake in the upcoming farm bill.

“Succession,” “The Menu,” “The White Lotus” — Hollywood is producing plenty of films and shows that let viewers watch rich people suffer. America has always been obsessed with wealth, but those portrayals are changing. Why? We’ll also do the numbers on January retail sales, hear why all-cash home offers are on the rise and see why Tesla is expanding use of its charging network.

What’s in your shopping basket may not be the same as what’s in the metaphorical basket of goods used to calculate the consumer price index. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics is updating its formula to more accurately capture changing prices. Today, we’ll look into the math. We’ll also parse the difference between fiscal and monetary policy and revisit the personal economies of Ukrainian refugees.

We’ll get the consumer price index for January tomorrow. Though inflation appeared to ease at the end of last year, the report comes at a “really critical time” for the Federal Reserve, the markets and consumer expectations. Will inflation continue to lose steam? Plus, sanctions complicate remittances to Syria, Europe enjoys a sunnier economic forecast and we look at how accusations and family drama rocked CBS and Viacom.

Surveys of Americans’ economic outlooks are coming up with contradictory conclusions. Some consumers report being worse off than they were a year ago, while others are feeling optimistic. What’s behind the split? We’ll also break down the prospects for a soft landing in the Weekly Wrap, consider what 2023 may look like for initial public stock offerings and delve into why Black communities are frequently targeted by predatory financial products.

Wellness has became an even bigger concern during the pandemic, as well as a bigger business. The last couple of years have been good for sales of vitamins, supplements and apps to help us sleep, stick to our diets and be more mindful. With hype reaching new levels, the Federal Trade Commission has decided to address the industry’s marketing ills. We’ll perform an examination.  Plus, Disney rethinks its content and cost-management strategies, and fresh unemployment claims data underscores the strength of the job market.  

The American labor market has been on a roller coaster in the past few years. While what we do for work looks different today from pre-COVID times, it’s not done changing. We’ll do the numbers on the industries that saw the biggest job gains in 2022 and the ones still lagging. Plus, what it would take to reach a balanced budget and why consumer debt is growing but slowing.

Today, Microsoft unveiled how it will incorporate ChatGPT’s generative AI tech into its search engine, Bing. That could spell trouble for publishers and content creators, as well as the advertisers that rely on searches and page views. We’ll examine some of the potential impacts and pitfalls. Also on the program: A strong dollar spurs imports, accounting has a personnel problem and the class of NASA astronauts that diversified space travel. Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace!

Despite the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, the U.S. economy hasn’t soured as much as many forecasters expected. And with falling energy prices, slowing inflation and the waning economic impact of COVID, the global economy’s outlook may be getting sunnier too. Plus, what the Census of Agriculture can tell us, the power of solar and why shows are disappearing from streaming platforms. Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace!

Last year was hard on cryptocurrency, with scandals and plummeting prices rocking the industry. Those losses were particularly keen for Black Americans, who are more likely to get into crypto than their white peers. Today, we’ll explore how targeted marketing and exclusion from traditional investment opportunities helped boost crypto’s appeal for Black investors. Also, the major takeaways from today’s strong jobs report and its impact on bond yields. Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace!

Last week, office occupancy rates in major cities hit a milestone, reaching half of their pre-pandemic levels. While most places feel just as crowded as they did before, offices are an exception. Today, a closer look at the sluggish return to office buildings. Plus, the house behind the pitchfork in “American Gothic” and how homebuyers are feeling about higher mortgage rates. Need some Econ 101? Sign up for our Marketplace Crash Course and get weekly lessons to complete at your own pace!