Latest from James Graham

• Jan 4, 2023

  Let the post-holiday gift returns begin

  

  Now that the holidays are over, many people are going to be returning gifts and other items that didn’t quite fit the bill. But for many online retailers, accepting and processing returns is costly and undercuts profits. We take a look at what makes the process so expensive. Plus, Twitter is reversing course on its policy of disallowing political advertising. And, we ask Chris Farrell what the pandemic may have taught employers about supporting workers’ mental health.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Jan 4, 2023

  Pakistan’s bid to save cash

  

  From the BBC World Service: Pakistan’s economy appears to be teetering on the brink. Inflation is at almost 25%, its debts continue to spiral and the country is running out of foreign currency. Now the government has taken drastic measures to try and save cash. Markets, shops, wedding halls and restaurants will have to close early every evening to conserve energy. We get the view from business. Plus, there’s been more disruption in Bolivia’s economic heartland. And, women’s cricket in India is coming of age with pay parity and lucrative commercial deals.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Jan 4, 2023

  The Southwest struggle saga continues

  

  Southwest is trying to put this holiday’s flight cancellation disaster behind it, but it may be facing a new obstacle: legal trouble. A passenger is suing over the compensation provided by the airline. We delve into the lawsuit and what it could mean for the beleaguered carrier. And, a look at why Chinese companies listed on American stock exchanges are opening themselves to inspection by U.S. regulators.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Jan 3, 2023

  Employers are raising wages, but inflation’s still biting

  

  New reports from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that employers are continuing to raise wages in a tight labor market. Inflation, however, is complicating matters. Also, a look at why the frequency of corporate dealmaking — which includes IPOs and mergers — slowed in 2022. And, we sat down with Dina Temple-Raston, host of the podcast “Click Here,” to talk about the rise of ransomware and malware attacks last year. 

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Jan 3, 2023

  General Electric divides itself. Again.

  

  General Electric, one of the nation’s most recognizable industrial firms, is spinning off its health care business into a separate company. We delve into the latest move by the ailing conglomerate, which has spun off multiple businesses since the Great Recession. Also, we sat down with both the CEO and the president of Charge Enterprises, a company that’s one of the players in the growing electric vehicle charging industry.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Jan 3, 2023

  COVID response angers China

  

  From the BBC World Service: China reacts furiously as countries around the world impose testing for its travellers. Morocco has become the first country to impose a full ban on all those arriving from China, whatever their nationality. Meanwhile, we hear from a migrant rescue ship in the Mediterranean after Italy introduced new rules designed to cut the number of arrivals. Plus, the Irish Prime Minister says mistakes were made on all sides over the U.K.’s exit from the European Union.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Jan 2, 2023

  New year … new economy?

  

  Eh, not so fast. Sure, we got a couple months’ worth of positive inflation data at the end of 2022, some moderation in certain prices. But the Federal Reserve’s New Year’s resolution boils down to “keep fighting rising prices in 2023,” and there’s still uncertainty about our economic future. Julia Coronado of MacroPolicy Perspectives joins us to take stock of where things stand at the start of the year. Plus, why the value of the U.S. dollar has declined in recent months despite a strong rest of 2022. And, food banks struggle with increased need and fewer donations.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Jan 2, 2023

  We open 2023 with a big week for the labor market

  

  On Friday, we’ll get the government’s official jobs report for December. And on Wednesday, we’ll get the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey. That report will tell us how many layoffs happened in November. Certain industries, like tech and finance, have been letting workers go. But that isn’t necessarily a sign that the broader economy is slowing down. Plus, we look at the latest from the International Monetary Fund, which believes 2023 is going to be a “tougher” year than 2022 was for the global economy. And, a look back at all things crypto last year.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Jan 2, 2023

  In Brazil, Lula returns with the economy in his sights

  

  From the BBC World Service: Brazil’s returning President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promises to lead the fight against inequality. But the wider economic backdrop is gloomy — the head of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva thinks a third of the global economy will be in recession this year. Plus, India’s Supreme Court has upheld the legality of the government’s decision to abolish large denomination currency notes in 2016. And, we look at why Dubai has axed its alcohol tax.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload
• Dec 30, 2022

  2022 was a strange year for stocks

  

  We discuss what’s been a volatile year for investors as 2022 draws to a close. The BBC reports on the TikTok ban on government devices. We check in with Savannah Maher for her year-end roundup.

  Read MoreSaveShareDownload