Week of February 19th, 2024

Also in this week’s newsletter: interesting new data on what a wedding costs and how Zoomers like to work.

In a time of war, which strategy is more effective?

Lenders say their depositors have become more savvy in response to last year’s turmoil among midsize banks.

Plus, we parse AI video and do the numbers on Girl Scout cookies in this week’s Make Me Smart newsletter.

In 2000, Bill Clinton signed a law that banned smoking on all domestic and international flights to and from the U.S.

AI-tech juggernaut Nvidia’s stock hit $2 trillion in market cap in intraday trading; Biden Administration announces new sanctions against Russia; Reddit files for an IPO.

With the goal of living mortgage-free, “I really knew that I would go anywhere and I would live in anything,” Kate Mill says.

Rising interest rates have cranked up the interest banks are paying depositors. But banks also have a lot of cash stuck in low-interest bonds and loans they made before the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates.

The teams have the money, and remaining media outlets like ESPN are becoming more dependent on them. Author Keith O’Brien explains.

Stocks open higher, continuing yesterday’s rally; Reddit files paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for initial public offering; the Biden administration issues more sanctions against Russia; AT&T says it’s restored service to all customers affected by yesterday’s outage.

A survey of women ages 50 and up finds that rising costs are dragging down their personal economies.

Gaming agreements between states and tribes will get more scrutiny under the new rules, which aim to protect tribes’ interests in the negotiating process.

AARP found that they’re the biggest swing voting block in the upcoming election: more than 60 million strong.

Model Bethann Hardison reflects on how she experienced and helped inspire a shift in the world of modeling and fashion.

From the BBC World Service: Delays in funding from the U.S. and EU are weighing down confidence in Ukraine.

Jewel Burks Solomon from Collab Capital joins Marketplace’s Lily Jamali to discuss the biggest tech stories of the week.

A financial advice columnist lost $50,000 in an elaborate scam. Banks told us what they do if they think you’re at risk.

Full decarbonization of aviation is likely a ways off, but the Inflation Reduction Act aims to subsidize the transition.

Right now, sustainable aviation fuel is “a drop in the bucket” compared to conventional jet fuel, but that might not be the case for long.

Demand is hot, hot, hot!

Stocks jump; Nvidia points to demand for AI software; existing home sales rise; initial unemployment claims fall.

They say opposites attract, but what happens when you add money to the mix?

Online grocery delivery can be a lifeline for SNAP recipients who have disabilities or lack reliable access to transportation.

Nvidia shares surge after it reports higher-than-expected fourth quarter earnings, with quarterly revenues of about $22 billion; Japan’s Nikkei stock index is finally back to where it was more than three decades ago; new claims for unemployment benefits fall unexpectedly in mid February; thousands of AT&T customers report outages.

A report from Moody’s Analytics finds there’s trouble ahead, but it’s more nuanced than a banking collapse due to empty offices.

Is there more trouble ahead for banks with exposure to commercial real estate, or is the risk overblown?

While inflation is moderating, some health-related costs are still climbing.

Emissions from transportation, on the other hand, were up.

U.S. carbon emissions dipped by 1.8% last year, but there’s still plenty of work to be done to reach climate goals.

From the BBC World Service: Tokyo’s main stock exchange closed at a record high on Thursday, beating a three-decade old record.

AT&T wants out of its “carrier of last resort” obligation in California. But that service is most important in emergencies, says Regina Costa at The Utility Reform Network.

The Biden administration says Chinese-made cargo cranes pose a potential national security risk.

Why is it taking so long for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates? Neel Kashkari of the Minneapolis Fed explains inflation fears.

A Dow Jones committee considers company growth and investor interest when deciding which stocks to include in the index.

This week, the Biden administration said it’s awarding $1.5 billion to chipmaker GlobalFoundries to expand its manufacturing here, in the largest grant under the CHIPS Act so far.

Neel Kashkari weighs in on the state of the economy and what’s left to bring inflation down to the Fed’s 2% target.

Stocks close mixed; Fed members say interest rates likely at their peak; Amazon to join the Dow Jones Industrial Average; bank economists say credit will stay tight this year.

Demand for French bulldogs has soared, leading to high prices, theft and unethical breeding practices.

Congress decided to sell it off before demand for helium skyrocketed, thanks to MRIs and semiconductor chipmaking.

Federal firefighters make as little as $15 an hour. A permanent boost has bipartisan support, but it’s tied up in Congress’ budget fight.

On Monday, Amazon will join the index, while Walgreens will exit; new federal rules aim to tighten cybersecurity at U.S. ports; the European Union issues 13th round of Russia sanctions; natural gas giant Chesapeake Energy to reduce output.

Chipmaker Nvidia has forecast major revenue gains, but there was a wave of nervous selling yesterday. What can we expect today?

Brands’ commitment to change the industry ebbs and flows.

Nvidia reports its Q4 financial results after markets close on Wednesday. The chipmaker has forecast major revenue gains thanks to generative AI.

We’re joined by fashion and costume historian Shelby Ivey Christie to discuss the industry’s inconsistencies on diversity.

From the BBC World Service: Saturday marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and rebuilding remains a major concern.

Kashmir Hill of The New York Times switched to a flip phone for the month. Now, she’s not sure if she’ll go back to the smartphone full time.

An explainer on NATO and why it matters.

Why Capital One is after Discover’s payments system. Plus, the relocation economy.

The giant chain reported strong quarterly sales. But for the first time in two years, shoppers spent less per visit.

There are only four such networks for credit cards, and building a new one can take decades.

Hotels increased prices per room in 2023. But occupancy was still below pre-pandemic levels.

Election managers have beefed up physical and cybersecurity, updating laws and planning to counter misinformation campaigns.

Stocks close down; Capital One says the deal will help Discover compete; Walmart says sales rise; Home Depot says demand for big ticket items is weak.

Jilan Hall-Johnson, owner of the Sassy Biscuit Co., is “excited for the next step” in her business journey despite a recent setback.

Walmart and Home Depot expect slower growth in the months ahead; authorities take down global ransomware group Lockbit; Biden administration funds $6 billion in water infrastructure improvements; Capital One wants to purchase Discover, in a deal that would create a credit card giant.

Capital One announced plans to acquire Discover in a $35 billion deal. What you might not know is that Discover was started by a subsidiary of Sears.

The average age of farmers is increasing as young aspiring farmers face financial barrier to starting up.

It’s usually called a measure of wholesale prices, but it can also be a leading indicator that shows where consumer prices are headed.

Capital One is set to purchase Discover Financial Services — if the deal can survive regulator scrutiny.

From the BBC World Service: Manufacturers of China’s C919 jetliner are hoping the plane will rival Airbus’ A320 and Boeing’s 737 Max.

Meredith Broussard of New York University discusses how AI is used in diagnosis and recounts her own experience as a cancer patient.

Carriers are figuring out how to reduce risk and deal with disruptions caused by the Houthis’ attacks and low water levels in shipping lanes.

In an ever-changing job market, sometimes your career takes an unexpected turn. Data scientist Grace Kim says her career has been a “winding road with ups and downs.”

Some steakhouses are changing their menus and venues to accommodate new consumer preferences.

High interest rates and limited inventory are key factors in restricting affordability.

As doctors prepare for another strike to protest their salaries and working conditions, some weigh opportunities in the U.S. and Canada.

A new federal program is beginning to send electric school buses to schools across the country, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Early adopting districts weigh in on how the new buses are working so far.

Current homeowners locked into low mortgage rates are hesitant to sell. That’s keeping housing inventory low.

The industry’s mood continues to brighten, a trade group says, but sourcing sophisticated equipment remains a challenge.

The Amazon One system enables purchases via hand waving. Christopher Mims of the WSJ discusses business prospects for biometric data.

In a story from the Marketplace archives, David Brancaccio brings us a report involving French bread, loose change and a whole lot of skin.

At the annual meeting of right-wing thinkers, economic issues such as tariffs and government spending are expected to be discussed.

If you could pay for things with just a wave of your hand, would you? The tech could be coming to a store near you.

From the BBC World Service: Communities in the remote Noto Peninsula are still without basics after a deadly New Year’s Day earthquake.

Daniel Belquer is using high-tech vibrating suits to make music more accessible to people who can’t hear and those that can.