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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

  • There's discontent over China's strategy of eliminating COVID-19 infections by locking down apartment blocks after just one new case.
    CNS/AFP

    From the BBC World Service: About 60 million people have been locked down across China since the beginning of August as the Beijing government continues its strict zero-COVID strategy. Plus, the European Commission prepares to announce measures to help its 27 member countries move away from using Russian energy sources. And, with worries the economic costs of supporting Ukraine might be too much for some NATO allies, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy calls for greater co-operation and more arms support.

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  • That's because the quality of vehicles has only improved over time, and because people didn't drive as much during the pandemic.
    Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

    There’s a sense among forecasters that inflated eased up last month, which should show in the upcoming consumer price index. Julia Coronado discusses that with us to open up the week. The Fed’s Beige Book offers a snapshot on demand for business loans. The BBC’s Victoria Craig helps us check in on the British economy in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. 

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  • Ukraine has accused Russia of damaging critical infrastructure, which has caused power outages in eastern Ukraine.
    YEVHEN TITOV/AFP

    From the BBC World Service: Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia of attacking civilian infrastructure, resulting in widespread blackouts in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. There are concerns for how prepared the regions are for the upcoming winter. Plus, British economic growth slowed in July and another public holiday for the Queen’s funeral next week could dampen growth this month.

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  • Many parents rely on the U.S. News and World Report college rankings, but even evolved, there are still some things the rankings can't share.
    Getty Images

    Many people lean on the U.S. News list of best colleges and universities to help make their school choice, but what goes into those rankings? Major credit card companies are going to start keeping track of gun store purchases. We check in on a Texas ruling that deals with employers, religious liberty, and HIV medication. 

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  • Some countries in Eastern Europe objected to Germany building ties with Russia around natural gas imports via the Nord Stream pipeline. Now, Germany is scrambling to prepare for additional supply cuts.
    Odd Anderson/AFP via Getty Images

    Russia has cut down its gas exports to Europe, leaving officials to figure out a solution as winter crawls closer. We get a less than promising update on the U.S. grain crop. Christopher Low of FHN Financial discusses why American consumers are borrowing more.

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  • Let’s cut through the noise around “quiet quitting”
    Getty Images

    First, the BBC checks in as Britain and the world reflect on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Then, we speak to an author about the rise of “quiet quitting” and its place in workplace culture.

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  • POUNDBURY, DORSET - OCTOBER 27:  Queen Elizabeth II tours Queen Mother Square on October 27, 2016 in Poundbury, Dorset.  (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

    From the BBC World Service: The United Kingdom and the world is remembering the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who has died. Her reign of 70 years was the longest in British history and she witnessed enormous political changes, including the development of the Commonwealth. In the U.K., a period of royal mourning will be observed until seven days after the Queen’s funeral and many sports events and businesses are also changing their plans for the coming days.

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  • Katie Fahey, founder of Voters Not Politicians, ran a successful campaign to end gerrymandering in Michigan.
    Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

    Econ Extra Credit newsletter #117

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  • Wall Street often uses the minutes from Federal Reserve meetings to predict market trends, but the meeting notes don't always reflect current economic information.
    Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    The European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve are fighting the same battle against inflation. Diane Swonk of KPMG helps us explore the link between the Fed and global economy. In the U.S., the West is generally holding up against an onslaught of heat, but we look into how power grids can generally hold up against the effects of climate change. Schools have money and a chance to catch students up on learning lost during the pandemic, but is it enough?

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  • People walk past a Walmart in Washington, D.C. The company's sales surged in the second quarter.
    Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

    We take a quick look into the reasons companies like Walmart and McDonald’s have been issuing billions in bonds. A reporter from The New Yorker stops by to discuss her story about how a nursing home’s quality of care went downhill after a private equity firm purchased the place.

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