Marketplace All-in-One

Stocks index futures are pointing to modestly higher markets this Election Day morning. The 10-year interest rate is steady today but is the highest it’s been since late July. We’ll be keeping an eye on currency markets, too. Then, new companies are coming to the Dow Jones Industrial Average. And later, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are coming to Broadway for limited runs. But how long does a show have to stay open to make money?

From the BBC World Service: The European Union has launched a formal investigation into the Chinese e-commerce site Temu over concerns it may be allowing the sale of illegal goods. But first, British Columbia’s port employers have locked out workers there in response to strike action. That could potentially halt $575 million in daily trade. Plus, we’ll unpack the ripple effects of a car finance court ruling in the U.K.

It’s Election Day and even though the campaign may be over, the battle over misinformation is not. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams spoke with Derek Tisler, counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, about some of the misleading online narratives voters should expect to see and how to deal with them. This conversation is part of “Marketplace Tech’s” limited series “Decoding Democracy.” Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel.

This week, Ryan and Bridget take the stage to perform some greatest hits from the “Million Bazillion” songbook. They’ll revisit some of their favorite songs about why it can be awkward to talk about money, why the United States has its own currency, how to spot a scam and more. Plus, a never-before-heard song from “Million Bazillion: The Musical.” So put on your top hats and sequined ponchos, and get ready to sing along with us!

To follow along with song lyrics, check out this episode on our website and visit our YouTube playlist to sing and dance to all your favorite “Million Bazillion” hits. We’ve also have discussion questions and tips!

This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

Live near a yoga studio? What about a golf course? Americans may experience the economy differently based on the politics of the neighborhoods they live in. We’ll dig into new data on the relationship between political affiliation and the businesses around us. Then, we’ll talk about a new revelation in the lawsuit against Elon Musk over his controversial $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes. Plus, on this Election Day eve, we’re smiling about early turnout.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

There are only a few bills with strong bipartisan support in the soon-to-be lame duck Congress. Requiring AM radio in new cars is one of them. Proponents say AM radio is a vital part of the Emergency Alert System and still broadcasts news in rural communities. Carmakers aren’t buying it. Plus, the Dow’s got some newcomers, OPEC (once again) postpones increasing oil production, and farmers stress about tariffs ahead of the election.

On today’s show, economist Julia Coronado, president of MacroPolicy Perspectives, explains which metrics she’s using to guide her thinking about the election: individual campaign contributions. Right now, it’s favoring Democrats. We’ll hear more. Plus, we’ll draw a line between the election and this morning’s bond market. And later: a tax jackpot for savers ages 60 to 63 and an estimate of the costs for damages caused by flooding in Spain.

From the BBC World Service: More than 200 people were killed in the floods in Valencia, Spain — the worst in the country for decades. Now, authorities are facing the massive task of reconstructing key roads and tunnels that have been left in ruins. We’ll hear some of the “incalculable” economic impacts. Then, added sugars in packaged baby foods in the Philippines are raising flags for nutritional health experts.

Yes, tomorrow is Election Day, the outcomes of which have the potential to move markets. But don’t forget: We have a Federal Reserve meeting this week too. On Thursday, the central bank will announce a decision on interest rates. We’ll preview what to expect. Then, is it just us or are Black Friday deals starting earlier this year? And we’ll also head to rural Wyoming to hear about the tangible impact of news consolidation.

In case you forgot, we’ve got Election Day tomorrow. But it was also a big year for elections in the rest of the world. About half of the global population is voting in national elections in 2024, and in many countries people have encountered shut down internet, blocked websites or manipulated content online, according to a recent report from the nonprofit Freedom House. Allie Funk leads Freedom House’s technology and democracy initiative, and she told Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino this is the 14th consecutive year the report has documented a decline in human rights online.

Campaigns for both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are trying to get ahead of the curve on election legal battles. According to The Hill, there are already over 200 voting and election cases pending across the country. We’ll get into it. Then, we’ll explain how Trump’s recent battles with CBS and ABC could signal his intention to punish broadcasters if reelected. And, how do you feel about rolling back our clocks as daylight saving time ends? That and more in a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The federal government is seeking a legal remedy for Google’s monopoly on internet search, as adjudicated by a federal judge. That remedy could include a breakup of its parent company, Alphabet. But when similar accusations were leveled against Microsoft a couple of decades ago, the software titan emerged from its trial intact. Also in this episode, Shohei Ohtani is a star in the baseball card market and California’s battle with planet-clogging plastic bags enters a new phase.

Today’s jobs report featured a shockingly small number of new hires with just around 12,000 jobs added. However, as FHN Financial’s Christopher Low explains, these dismal figures have more to do with recent extreme weather events and the ongoing strike at Boeing. Plus, we look at why a tax provision expanding the amount of money very rich people are allowed to pass on after death is expiring — and why most people shouldn’t be concerned about it. And, the BBC’s Mariko Oi highlights the global success of Hello Kitty on the beloved character’s 50th anniversary.

It hasn’t been a normal housing market for years now, but it’s been especially uncertain in the past few months. We delve into how interest rate cuts, mortgage rate fluctuations, and the election are all making conditions for buying a home a bit hard to read for most people. Plus, a preview of today’s highly anticipated jobs report which might reflect recent headlines more than it does the overall health of the economy. And, why prices at the pump are poised to dip below $3 on average nationwide despite global trends that would suggest otherwise.

From the BBC World Service: A ban on Google’s flagship Pixel smartphone in Indonesia comes because the company failed to meet requirements for certain smartphones sold domestically to contain at least 40% of parts manufactured locally. Plus, Hello Kitty turns 50, and the landmark birthday also marks an uptick in the fortunes of Sanrio, the company behind the character.

An AI transcription tool used in health care has been found to frequently hallucinate things no one ever said, including making up medications. That’s just one of the topics for today’s Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review. Plus, we’ll get into what we learned from this week’s Big Tech earnings, including Google saying that it’s using AI to generate about 25% of its code.

But first, it’s been a busy week for Apple. The company launched some of its new Apple Intelligence features and released its new lineup of Mac computers along with some souped-up chips.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Joanna Stern, senior personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal, to get her take on this week’s tech news.

An estimated 50,000 civil service jobs were slated to become political appointments under a Trump-era executive order. If Donald Trump returns to the White House, there’s a chance he’ll reinstate it, leading to the biggest federal workforce shakeup in nearly 150 years. Also in this episode: A new resource for farmers market pricing and the key to sustainable wage growth.

This Halloween, we’re looking at some new inflation data that’s got the Federal Reserve in good spirits. Its preferred inflation measure shows inflation fell to 2.1% last month, moving ever-so-closer to the Fed’s 2% target. We’ll get into why core inflation complicates the Fed’s good news. And, we’ll unpack why some Meta investors were spooked when CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company will amp up its artificial intelligence spending. Plus, Starbucks is getting a brand makeover, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a World Series win.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap. The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

This morning, the central bank’s preferred measure of inflation — the personal consumption expenditures price index, or PCE — came out and clocked in at 2.1% annually in September. With fuel and energy prices stripped out, the index was up 2.7%. What should we make of these figures? Then, if former President Donald Trump is re-elected, he’s promising steep tariffs on goods entering the U.S. We’ll explore the knock-on effects.

For some, spooky season means buying truckloads of candy or dusting off that 12-foot plastic skeleton in the basement. For others though, it’s time to get to work. This Halloween, we’ll check in with Star Romano, a stage production manager at the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor in Long Beach, California, to hear more about the scare economy. Take a listen … if you dare. Also: unpacking Big Tech’s earnings and spending on AI.

From the BBC World Service: In the United Kingdom, the government has unveiled its first budget since the Labour Party got back in power, its first in 14 years. The measures amount to a $50 billion tax hike to fund public services, with a big focus on taxing businesses and high earners. We’ll hear more. Plus, Donald Trump is proposing tariffs of up to 20% for all goods entering the U.S. What sort of impact would that have?

For almost a century, people have been going to the movies to get freaked out by fictional depictions of artificial intelligence. Back in 1968, there was Hal 9000 in “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The 1980s gave us Skynet in “The Terminator.” And these days, movies about rogue bots are more popular than ever. Films like 2022’s “M3GAN” and this summer’s “AfrAId” seem to be channeling our worst fears about the intelligent technology increasingly embedded in our daily lives. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke to Shira Ovide, a tech reporter and author of The Washington Post’s “Tech Friend” newsletter, about why AI is such a compelling horror villain.

Consumer spending has been strong since the post-pandemic-crash economy got back on its feet, and it continues to prop up GDP. But too much spending, as well as too little, could mess with the Federal Reserve’s goals of stable prices and maximum employment. Also in this episode: WNBA players want a contract to match their popularity and brand power, wage growth stays ahead of inflation and farmers are having a down year.

Tech companies like Google and Meta have been pouring billions into artificial intelligence. But investors have been waiting for those investments to pay off. We’ll get into what the latest earnings report from Google’s parent company signals about AI’s money-making potential. And, American companies are responding to former President Trump’s tariff promises by preparing to raise prices. Plus, guest host Matt Levin makes us smile about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series run.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The private payroll company ADP reported that a lot more people than expected were added to its payrolls this month. True, the more closely watched data on hiring and unemployment is not due from the government until Friday. But this is new evidence that the American jobs machine is still putting people to work. We dig in. Plus, a look at Google’s strong earnings and the continually daunting car market.

Philadelphia’s district attorney sued billionaire Elon Musk earlier this week over a controversial $1 million-a-day giveaway to registered voters, alleging that it is an “unlawful lottery.” Musk is conducting this through his pro-Donald Trump political action committee, called America PAC. On today’s program: a look at where Elon Musk and his super PAC’s “sweepstakes” fit into campaign finance rules. But first, what are experts anticipating from September’s PCE inflation report?

From the BBC World Service: First, it’s the “worst of times” camp. While Germany’s economy grew unexpectedly, German-based car company Volkswagen announced major layoffs and plant closures. We’ll discuss some of the reasons and the fallout. Then, it’s the “best of times” for Spain’s economy, which exceeded expectations with 0.8% growth. We’ll walk through the reasons why, and hear why these macroeconomic gains might not be felt by everyday Spaniards.

We are in the midst of the first major U.S. election of the generative AI era. The people who want to win your vote have easy access to tools that can create images, video or audio of real people doing or saying things they never did — and slap on weird appendages or other make-believe effects along with targeted slogans. But the potential to deceive has led about two dozen states to enact some form of regulation requiring political ads that use artificial intelligence to include a label. So how do voters respond when they know a campaign has used AI? That’s what Scott Brennen and his team at New York University’s Center on Technology Policy set out to answer in a recent study.

Today we’re sharing an excerpt from our live show at WBUR CitySpace in Boston featuring our special guest, historian Heather Cox Richardson. (Check out the first part of our live show here.) Richardson, a professor at Boston College, talked with us about the high stakes of this year’s election, how the economy is woven into political narratives, and what we can do to protect the health of our democracy. Plus, she shares what she had wrong about hummingbirds.

Where should “Make Me Smart” go next? Let us know at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Solar panels are key in the transition to cleaner energy. But despite oodles of federal investment, there are still obstacles in the way of the U.S. manufacturing industry. Also in this episode: Home price increases slow, “The Diplomat” showrunner aims for authenticity, and the Fed’s next move.

The online trading platform Robinhood has started allowing its customers to bet on who will the the election. While its not the first to do so, it is among the first in the U.S. to jump into a new kind of financial instrument called “event contracts.” But it’s not without controversy. We’ll explain. Plus, home price increases appear to be slowing, and companies aim to make some green off of matcha’s popularity.

The New York Stock Exchange has announced plans to extend after-hours trading. Pending regulators’ approval, its electronic platform could be accessible 22 hours a day Monday through Friday, as it looks to compete with online trading platforms like Robinhood. Then: some profanity-laden remarks from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon over federal regulation. Plus, data shows the U.S. economy is king of the hill, top of the heap, a No. 1. Why doesn’t it always feel that way?

From the BBC World Service: In the Eastern European country of Georgia, thousands of people have been protesting outside of parliament in Tbilisi, saying the ruling Georgian Dream party stole the country’s election over the weekend. Now, there will be a partial recount. We’ll also unpack some major restructuring at HSBC. Plus, as mega-corporations cash in on matcha’s popularity, are some green tea sellers putting quantity before quality?

We know from various studies that young people are, unsurprisingly, using generative AI tools like chatbots and image generators, sometimes for homework, sometimes for fun and sometimes for malicious purposes. A recent survey from the Center for Democracy and Technology found that artificial intelligence is being used among high school students to create nonconsensual, illicit imagery — in other words, sexually explicit deepfakes. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Elizabeth Laird, director of equity in civic technology at CDT, to learn more.

Ryan and Bridget are back in the studio to host another live call-in show to answer the quick but not always easy questions listeners have about money. Together, they break down the difference between credit and debit cards, explain why pennies exist and show you how to spot fake money. But things take a turn when their soundboard develops a mind of its own.

If your family is interested in learning more about any of the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!

This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

If Donald Trump is reelected president, the Federal Reserve’s political independence would go “right out the window,” Alan Blinder, a former Fed vice chairman, told us. In this special episode, economists weigh in on the importance of Fed autonomy in policymaking, and what political interference — something Trump is threatening — could mean for the global economy.

News outlets aren’t mincing words about the offensive and racist remarks featured at former President Donald Trump’s rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday. We’ll talk about the media backlash to the event, which was intended to be a part of Trump’s closing argument against Vice President Kamala Harris. Then, we discuss reports of ballot drop boxes on fire and give tips on how to ride out the last few days before Election Day. Plus, a story that has us waltzing through our emotions.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We can’t do this show without you. Send us your questions, comments or wild suggestions at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!

With election day just about a week away, the economy and its overall health are on the ballot in all but name. We check in with Julia Coronado, founder of MacroPolicy Perspectives, about how the labor market is looking amid shocks like hurricanes that have wracked the South. Plus, a glimpse at why childcare costs are so high across the country. And, the BBC’s Lisa Louis reports on a massive project that promises to link the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia by rail.

Movie studies have always been associated with Hollywood and sunny Southern California, but high costs have driven many companies eastward to states like New York and Georgia in recent years in search of lower costs for filming. A look at the Golden State’s recent moves, including a tax credit just passed in an attempt to revive the state’s marquee industry. Plus, why Texas’s abortion restrictions risk causing a marked decrease in OB-GYNs willing to work in the state. And, we chat with Sara Taylor, president of the consulting firm deepSee, about incivility in the workplace in a time of tense election-year politics.

From the BBC World Service: The Japanese yen sunk to a three-month low as investors reacted to the loss of a parliamentary majority for Japan’s ruling coalition in weekend elections. A look at how investors are thinking of the shock results, including speculation that the political uncertainty would slow interest rate rises. New research by the World Meteorological Organisation says concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are accumulating faster than at any time in human history. The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are building what they call the project of a century: Rail Baltica, which will aim to connect the region by high-speed rail.

With tech now able to clone voices in minutes, many people in creative industries are worried about what this could mean for their livelihoods. The BBC’s Ben Derico looks at what this AI revolution has meant for voice actors who claim to have had their likeness copied by an AI voice-generating company.

Kai and Kimberly host our weekly happy hour episode, “Economics on Tap,” live from the stage of WBUR CitySpace in Boston. We’ll dive into the biggest headlines making waves this week while sipping on our favorite drinks. Plus, Drew joins the stage to host a round of our favorite game, Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We can’t do this show without you. Send us your questions, comments or wild suggestions at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!

Tupperware, the once-innovative plastic container brand, filed for bankruptcy a few weeks ago. Other companies still sell via party, but Tupperware pioneered the model. What happened? Also in this episode: Gummy candy overtakes chocolate in the Halloween sales race, and a family trip overseas inspires a claw machine arcade business in Colorado.

Bettors think they’ve already figured out the presidential election winner, with many odds sites predicting a slim victory for former President Trump less than two weeks away from Voting Day. But according to FHN Financial’s Christopher Low, there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of any predictions in such a tight election, including betting markets’ own recent track record. Plus, we take a trip to a factory in Texas that’s giving a second life to batteries used in EVs. And, one Scottish manufacturer is reusing onion skins in their packaging to reduce plastic waste.

Employees are overwhelmingly in favor of upskilling in areas we call “human skills,” which include things like leadership, communication, and adaptability, according to a recent survey. However, more than one in three workers say their jobs offer little to no opportunity to improve these skill sets. We look at what’s behind the gap. Plus, airline customers may find themselves bracing for higher ticket prices as companies report high demand for seats and less supply. And, we hear from one of the winners of this year’s Nobel Prize in Economics about why China’s economic model has succeeded thus far — and why it might face challenges in the future.

From the BBC WorldService: Japan’s snap election takes place on Sunday, just a month after Shigeru Ishiba took over as Prime Minister. A look at why it could bring more uncertainty. Plus, Venice has announced it will extend the city’s tourist tax as it attempts to deal with the rising number of visitors. And, we hear from a small firm in the north of Scotland that is developing eco-friendly packaging — made from onion peel.

The next big thing in Silicon Valley might just be an old-fashioned concept: humanoid robots that can mimic our physical abilities. Developments in AI are triggering renewed interest in the robotics industry. And Anthropic’s latest Claude model can control a computer on its own, which could have implications for the future of work. But first, is the “best bromance in tech” starting to sour? That’s how OpenAI CEO Sam Altman once described his company’s partnership with Microsoft, but recently the alliance has shown signs of tension. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Natasha Mascarenhas for her take on all this for our weekly segment “Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Machinists who have been on strike against Boeing for over a month just rejected a second contract. A major sticking point? Pensions, which the company suspended 10 years ago, in favor of 401(k) contributions. In this episode, we weigh the pros and cons of each. Plus: Colorado’s oldest business will become a co-op, a tight housing market means fixer-uppers are cool again and recent hurricanes test the catastrophe bond market.

Hey Smarties! We’re on the road to Boston for a live taping of “Make Me Smart” with special guest, historian Heather Cox Richardson. So today we’re bringing you an episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. In this episode, Kai Ryssdal and the “How We Survive” team head to the very, very top of Alaska to understand how climate change and national security are converging in the Arctic.

Want to join Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams for our live taping of “Make Me Smart” in Boston on Oct. 25? In-person tickets are sold out, but you can still join us virtually. Get your tickets here.