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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

  • A more productive U.S. economy could unlock $10 trillion
    Jean-Sebastien Evrard/AFP via Getty Images

    Higher productivity could drive up wages, temper inflation and aid the energy transition, the McKinsey Global Institute finds.

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  • A pinch of relief for new and lower-income homebuyers
    Allison Dinner/Getty Images

    The Biden administration announced last week that it would  lower rates on mortgage insurance for federally-backed mortgage loans. We look into how that could save some cash for new and lower-income prospective homebuyers. That value of retirement savings accounts decreased by over 20% in 2022, according to a new report from Fidelity. China, in response to increasing energy demand, opened a significant number of new coal plants last year and extended the life of existing facilities. And, the BBC reports on talks between the leaders of the EU and UK on averting a potential trade dispute over Northern Ireland.  

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  • The global crypto clampdown
    Jack Taylor/Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service:  The world’s largest economies have been meeting over the weekend. High up on the agenda – and supported by the IMF and the US –  was the regulation of crypto assets. The BBC’s Will Bain has been speaking to industry insiders about what could be achieved. A deal between the UK and EU over the controversial Northern Ireland protocol also seems to be on the cards as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen are set meet on Monday, and the BBC’s Jonathan Head reports on Thailand’s struggling elephant tourism sector.

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  • High oil profits and war may actually boost the green transition
    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    The war in Ukraine and the accompanying energy crunch was great news for oil companies, many of which posted profits that neared or broke records. That may sound bad for the climate, but as the Economist’s Vijay Vaitheeswaran argues, it could actually lead to an acceleration in the transition to greener energy. The U.S. and allies announced they would impose new sanctions on Russia today, the one-year anniversary of the invasion. And, a look at how Russia’s economy is faring under the existing sanctions regime.

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  • The New York City skyline as seen from Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island.
    Drew Angerer/Getty Images

    New tech is sprouting up in subsectors that already thrive in NYC, like finance and media, according to Tech:NYC’s Julie Samuels.

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  • War and oil profits mean more investment in fossil fuels — and green energy
    David McNew/Getty Images

    Oil giants are going to invest in more oil while also preparing for a greener future, says The Economist’s Vijay Vaitheeswaran.

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  • Move over Silicon Valley, NYC wants to become the next tech hub
    Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

    As technology becomes an increasingly large share of the U.S. economy, tech firms are setting up shop in cities outside of the traditional confines of Silicon Valley. We look at the burgeoning sector in New York City with Julie Samuels, president and director of Tech:NYC, a trade group. The Biden administration has announced new sanctions on Russia in concert with European allies — the additional U.S. restrictions are designed to hit Russian imports and individuals. And, a look into why GDP estimates are almost always changed after they’re released. 

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  • The war in Ukraine, one year on
    Photo by GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: One year on since the invasion of Ukraine, we ask what has been the cost to both Ukraine and Russia. We find out how the Russian economy has been able to withstand western sanctions, what brands remain, plus we hear how Ukraine could look to rebuild after the conflict

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  • Strikes and other labor actions went up a lot last year
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    The number of strikes and other forms of labor organization — such as forming unions — increased sharply in 2022 from 2021. We look into how the strong job market could have contributed to the momentum behind workers. The stock market has been turbulent as of late, reflecting broader unease over the question of “how is the economy doing?” We check in with KPMG Chief Economist Diane Swonk, who says it’s likely a mix of good and bad. And, a look at a program at the University of Michigan’s School of Business to transform students’ interest in management into a real passion. 

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  • The "Management as a Calling" program at the University of Michigan is a retreat to the woods to help students interrogate what they want to use business school education for.
    Jeff Karoub

    University of Michigan Professor Andrew Hoffman wants students “to both lead successful organizations and make society better.”

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David Brancaccio