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David Brancaccio

"Future Effects" Senior Correspondent

David Brancaccio is Marketplace’s “future effects” senior correspondent. In this role, David aims to explore how short-term thinking can impact our personal finances, innovation, government policy, and more.

David worked as the host and senior editor of “Marketplace Morning Report” from 2013 to 2026, where he focused on the regulation of financial markets, the role of technology in labor markets, the history of innovation, digital privacy, sustainability, social enterprises, and financial vulnerability in older adults. David freelanced for Marketplace in 1989 before becoming the program’s European correspondent based in London in 1990.

David hosted the evening program from 1993-2003, then anchored the award-winning public television news program “Now” on PBS after a period co-hosting with journalist Bill Moyers. David has co-produced and appeared in several documentaries, including “Fixing the Future,” about alternative approaches to the economy, and “On Thin Ice,” about climate change and water security, with mountaineer Conrad Anker. David is the author of “Squandering Aimlessly,” a book about personal values and money. He enjoys moderating public policy discussions, including at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Chicago Ideas Week, and the Camden Conference in Maine.

David is from Waterville, Maine, and has degrees from Wesleyan and Stanford universities. Honors include the Peabody, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University, Emmy, and Walter Cronkite awards. He is married to Mary Brancaccio, a poet and educator. They have three offspring, all adults. He likes making beer and building (and launching) pretty big rockets. Among his heroes are Edward R. Murrow and Wolfman Jack.

Latest from David Brancaccio

  • Trickle-down… commercial real estate crisis?
    Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    With so much commercial real estate sitting empty, banks are concerned that difficulty selling could snowball into credit losses and a rise in loan defaults. Will the broader economy feel that stress? Plus, FEMA needs more cash and Netflix’s stock dropped.

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  • Grain prices spike on Russian words and deeds
    Oleksandr Gimanov/AFP via Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: Wheat prices have spiked after Russian attacks on grain stores in Ukraine, and a declaration that ships heading to Ukrainian ports will be considered military targets. Plus, current and former staff at McDonald’s in the UK continue to come forward alleging bullying or harassment following a BBC investigation. On Wednesday McDonald’s asked anyone who has experienced or witnessed inappropriate behavior to contact its new confidential and independent reporting line. And, as the women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand we hear from a top agent about the changing commercial landscape.

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  • Maternity rights for women’s pro soccer players are still evolving
    Ira L. Black - Corbis / Getty Images

    We are looking at the business stories around women’s soccer this week with the Women’s World Cup starting on Thursday. Today the story is what it’s like to be a pro player and a mom, and how maternity leave rules have changed.

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  • The American flag of a tourist standing in front of the White House in Washington, DC.
    iStock/Getty Images

    In a flurry of announcements, the White House rolled out new measures calling for transparency on so-called “junk fees” for renters, as well as new proposed guidelines for corporate mergers. Plus, why electric vehicles are getting cheaper, why homebuilders are feeling a flush of confidence, and the WTO urges countries not to restrict food exports in the wake of Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal. 

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  • Why is inflation in the UK so high?

    From the BBC World Service: The UK’s inflation figures remain high today at 7.9%, although this is down from 8.7%. Why is it so high when compared to the USA (3%) and the Eurozone (5.5%)? Mohamed El-Erian, Chief economic adviser at German financial services group Allianz, explains. Plus, we hear from the Director General of the World Trade Organization, who has urged countries not to restrict food exports in the wake of Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal.

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  • San Francisco wants to stay attractive to tech companies. What about remote work?
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    Global leaders will convene in San Francisco this fall for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Mayor London Breed says it’s one step in attracting and retaining the tech companies the city is known for. Plus, what it means that retail sales for June were lower than expected.

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  • Where did all the tourists go, Mayor Breed?
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    Between a homelessness crisis and difficulty retaining retailers downtown, San Francisco has work to do to attract tourists in pre-pandemic numbers. Mayor London Breed says her plan involves addressing homeless encampments and spending on law enforcement. Plus, will that all-but-promised recession ever happen?

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  • What’s it like to be a grain farmer in Ukraine?
    Roger Anis/Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: Ukrainian farmer Kees Huizinga joins Marketplace to discuss the impact of Russia withdrawing from the Black Sea grain deal. What next for the Commonwealth Games after Melbourne pulls out of hosting it in 2026? And finally, we hear from Lucy Ward on what it’s like for a woman to commentate on men’s soccer.

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  • Increasing housing production, Mayor London Breed says, is one of her main focuses. She also says San Francisco has to get creative with how to repurpose vacant office space.
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    San Francisco’s empty office buildings and fleeing retailers have been in the news. London Breed challenges that narrative.

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  • Jul 17, 2023

    USA! Equal Pay!

    USA! Equal Pay!
    Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

    We’ll discuss what it could take to close the gender pay gap at the club level and at the World Cup final. Plus, grain prices could be headed up and we’ll look at some economic indicators from China.

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David Brancaccio