Marketplace

A handful of lawmakers have or are looking to suspend state gas taxes. While there’s little else they can control in terms of gas prices, those taxes make up less than 10% of prices at the pump — and it’s not the only place where consumers are feeling the pinch of inflation. Plus: A win for streaming platforms at the Oscars and a look at the CARES Act’s historic investment in tribal infrastructure.

As Europe tries to wean itself off Russian natural gas, it’s moving toward imports from the United States and renewable energy sources. The U.S. produces a lot of natural gas, but liquefying it to make it shippable is a roadblock, and significantly upping production could take years and cost billions. Also on today’s show, the number of multigenerational households soars. Plus: Interrogating a potential 0.5% interest rate hike and the end of globalization in the Weekly Wrap.

Brent crude topped $119 a barrel Thursday. High oil prices don’t just drive up gas prices, they also boost the cost of plastics, used in everyday goods and products important to the energy transition. Today: What those rising prices mean for consumers and a cleaner future. Plus: Companies lack cybersecurity experts at the top, student loan payments may restart soon and the Fed keeps a close eye on real interest rates.

The global economy has felt the ripple effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for nearly a month now. Today, we chat with Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, who argues that the war could erode the “global” part of this economy. Plus: A look at who benefits from new trade deals, why governments and aid organizations claim credit for humanitarian assistance and how housing support programs create stability for recipients. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

While President Joe Biden warned the private sector about potential Russian cyberattacks earlier this week, cybersecurity experts have been sounding the alarm for years. Today, we’ll preview what the threat to critical infrastructure looks like. Plus, the war in Ukraine spikes the cost of a metal used in catalytic converters, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission mulls new regulations for cryptocurrency. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

Hundreds of businesses have pulled out of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, but the decision is more complicated for pharmaceutical companies. Today, we dig into the ethical and economic considerations they’re facing. Plus: We talk with a former Ukrainian finance minister, track the nickel market’s wild ride and take stock of the tough job ahead for the Federal Reserve. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

On a two-hour call with Chinese President Xi Jinping today, President Joe Biden warned of “consequences” if China helps Russia avoid the effects of Western sanctions. Today, we’ll look at how China could backfill the hollowed-out Russian economy. Plus: Government money for COVID boosters is running out, and a Texas town is going all in on crypto. We’ll kick off the show with our panel of experts, breaking down the what and the why behind the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike.

The stock market isn’t alerting us to a potential recession, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell doesn’t think one is likely in the next few years either. But as the Fed raises interest rates, economists’ forecasts are a little muddier. Today, we asked experts to paint a picture of our economic outlook. Plus, the war in Ukraine disrupts global auto production and Iranians reflect on the drawbacks of sanctions. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

In an attempt to cool down decades-high inflation, the Federal Reserve announced a 0.25% interest rate hike today, likely the beginning of a series. The Fed has its work cut out for it: Fostering sustainable economic growth while tamping down price growth can be a delicate balancing act. And all this amid global supply chain issues, a war raging in Europe and a pandemic that’s not over. On today’s show, we’ll dig into how that balancing act could play out. Plus, how the war in Ukraine is complicating global trade in grain and affecting shipping between China and Europe. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

West Texas Intermediate is back below $100 per barrel. Average gasoline prices in the U.S. are down too, from $4.33 a gallon to … $4.32. So what gives? Today, we’ll dig into the disconnect between crude oil and gasoline and why the price spike hasn’t juiced electric vehicle sales. Plus: How global markets could respond to a Russian debt default and what the life of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh teaches us about happiness and success. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

China’s omicron surge is small by American standards. But the same zero-COVID policy that allowed its factories to churn out goods during the pandemic is now slowing down electronics manufacturing and restricting activity in major cities. We’ll bring you the view on the ground in Shanghai. Plus: Advocates say the U.S. should do more for Ukrainian refugees, in-person shopping gets a lift as mask mandates fall away and new demand for aluminum cans is leaving craft brewers behind. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

The stock market is often used as a predictor of risk — financial, sure, but also geopolitical and global. The major indexes closed out a volatile week down slightly, but not far from where they were two weeks ago. What to make of that? We asked some experts. Also on today’s program: War complicates the Federal Reserve’s moves on inflation, and crypto miners seek cheap energy in upstate New York.  Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

Palaces, private jets and superyachts — these are among the prized possessions of Russian oligarchs who have been singled out and sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others. Today, we’ll examine the history of oligarchs, the relationship between them and Russian President Vladimir Putin and the iffy impact sanctions on these superrich types might have. Plus: Wages struggle to keep up with inflation, humanitarian organizations rediscover the “cash is king” approach to aid and the war in Ukraine threatens to worsen global food insecurity. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.

When McDonald’s opened its Moscow location in the early ’90s, it signaled Russia’s transition to a market economy. But now corporations are pulling out over the war in Ukraine, and the Russian economy has been hollowed out by Western sanctions. Could the country be reverting to Soviet-era government interference? We’ll talk about it with the author of “Putinomics.” Later in the show: Why a federal gas tax holiday won’t ease much pain at the pump, and why ramping up U.S. oil production wouldn’t be an overnight fix either. Give today to support Marketplace.

President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil imports today, warning American consumers they’ll pay more at the pump. Historically, oil shocks have preceded recessions, but the pandemic may have equipped this economy to better withstand the price jumps. Later, we’ll examine why businesses are closing up shop in Russia and the country’s economic ties to China. Plus: How Americans can make sure their donations to Ukraine count. Give today to support Marketplace.