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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

  • "About 1 in 3 adults reported food insecurity in 2020, 1 in 5 had trouble paying the rent or mortgage, and utility bills," Michael Karpman at the Urban Institute said of households that lost jobs.
    oonal via Getty Images

    The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute studied how much material hardship has increased during the pandemic and for whom. Also, what big banks’ earnings reports have to say about consumer behavior. Plus, stockpiles of grounded airplanes parked in various deserts for the time being with air travel down. And, 50 years ago this week, “pingpong diplomacy” gave way to more economic engagement between the U.S. and China. 

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  • Coinbase set to hit the Nasdaq today
    Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

    The cryptocurrency exchange company will be the first major crypto business to go public in the U.S. Plus, the Ever Given cargo ship of Suez Canal fame is stuck again — but this time it’s being held by Egyptian officials over $900 million. And, big declines in enrollment for tribal community colleges during COVID.

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  • The European Commission aims to raise the money over the next five years to fund its recovery plan.
    Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: The European Commission plans to raise money through bonds to fund its COVID recovery plan. Also, Egypt impounds the Ever Given container ship demanding compensation. Plus, India, often called the world’s pharmacy, plans fast-track approval for COVID vaccine imports. And, the Netherlands experiments with bringing cafe and bar patrons back indoors.

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  • The pandemic has disrupted ties between many workers and their employers. A labor attorney says some companies are taking the opportunity to discard workers who are older, disabled or marginalized.
    Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

    We start with news on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: Federal health officials want a temporarily pause on giving it out. Plus, a former employee of the online retailer Wayfair sued the company, claiming he was fired because he needed to care for his kids during the pandemic. More cases like this are on the way, corporate lawyers say. Also, the latest reading of consumer prices shows they’re up, but let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. And, White House data on how it thinks each state would benefit from the American Jobs Plan infrastructure proposal.

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  • An initial investigation revealed some Chinese aluminum products were being sold into the EU at artificially low prices.
    STR/AFP via Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: European producers have complained that cheaper Chinese metal imports were putting them out of business. Could these provisional tariffs spark a tit-for-tat trade spat? Plus, we explore how Brexit may be fueling more conflict in Northern Ireland and how the U.S. could look to help ease tensions.

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  • A new all-time high for the budget deficit
    Win McNamee/Getty Images

    Economists say there’s nothing inherently wrong with the federal government spending more than it has, given its borrowing power and this pandemic emergency. But we do watch the size of the deficit. Plus, what to expect from big banks reporting their latest quarterly results this week. And, if you’re on the hunt for a new bike this spring, expect to pay more.

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  • Corporate America meets to talk about fighting voting laws
    Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

    Nearly 100 CEOs and experts met on a videoconference over the weekend to discuss taking action over states and politicians that restrict voting access. Plus, prioritizing Latinx farmworkers for vaccines.

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  • More than 1 million people a year fail to claim the refunds they are owed, according to a tax expert.
    masterSergeant via Getty Images

    The IRS says $1.3 billion in tax refunds is unclaimed — from 2017. Plus, President Biden is set to meet with more than a dozen chief executives from automakers and technology companies over the global chip shortage. And, Toms Shoes is changing its business model, moving away from donating footwear and instead focusing on giving away profits.

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  • England has lifted many pandemic restrictions that have been in place since December.
    Niklas Halle'n/AFP via Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: Restaurants can also serve diners outdoors, and nonessential stores can reopen, as England starts to relax COVID restrictions. Plus, Alibaba shares jump in spite of a record fine from China’s anti-monopoly regulator. And, protesters occupy theaters across France calling for more government support for artists during the pandemic.

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  • One bridge in the worst shape? The Brent Spence Bridge, which spans the Ohio River and was declared functionally obsolete in the 1990s.
    Jeff Dean/AFP via Getty Images

    President Biden said last week that plans for infrastructure spending include a group of 10 of the most economically significant bridges in need of reconstruction. But which 10 are they? Plus, an update on the vote count for unionization efforts at the Amazon warehouse in Alabama. Also, explaining Britain’s international travel restrictions. And, a disconnect in the current labor market.

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