Week of October 7th, 2024

Redacted court documents became public.

Trump’s campaign promises would likely add more to the debt than Harris’. Plus, we dig into the pretty flat September producer price index.

September’s producer price index showed core inflation up slightly and producer prices down slightly. But there are still some interesting numbers in a “flat” index.

It’s all about buying low and selling high.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget says both candidates’ tax and spending promises would widen deficits, Trump’s by a lot more.

The hurricane toppled power lines — around 86,000 North Carolina residents are still waiting on power, according to the governor’s office.

Try not to hold onto them past their maturation date.

Marketplace’s senior economics contributor explains the connection between stock ownership and the racial wealth gap.

But that doesn’t mean everything has completely caught up, analysts say.

“I think the idea is to set a norm of corporate political neutrality,” argues Sean Westwood of the Polarization Research Lab.

New research finds that inequities in unemployment risk can explain some of the racial gap in stock market investment.

One expert’s advice: just avoid political discourse in the workplace.

From the BBC World Service: Chinese police have detained four Foxconn workers in circumstances Taipei has described as “strange.”

Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino for “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Federal Reserve official Austan Goolsbee talks about getting enough data to make good economic policy. Plus, Kai rides along with the Coast Guard in Alaska.

Ticket prices rose 10.3% in the last year. The seats are plush, the resale market has grown and dynamic pricing extracts more money from fans.

The agency faces a funding crisis.

The law’s aimed at improving a clothing recycling rate of only 15 percent.

Austan Goolsbee talks about the Fed’s timing in moments of transition, if COVID is still affecting the economy, and why he’s a “data dog.”

Recommended listening for “This Is Uncomfortable” fans: A conversation with choreographer Bill T. Jones.

Gold has held its value over the long term, making it a compelling investment for central banks.

The September CPI showed inflation slowing to 2.4% annually, but consumer sentiment hasn’t yet rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

The independent press run by a husband and wife team has grown its revenue and staff since Fosse won the Nobel in 2023.

Global uncertainty is leading investors to beef up purchases of precious metals.

Consumers are frustrated with persistently high prices.

From the BBC World Service: Ratan Tata was one of India’s most recognized and celebrated industrialists.

Threads’ new features inch the social platform closer to the decentralized fediverse, where users on multiple networks interact. Will Oremus of The Washington Post says Meta takes a more open approach when it’s playing catch-up.

The growing flood insurance dilemma in the U.S.

It’s all about expectations. Mortgage rates fell in anticipation of the Fed cutting interest rates. But then came the strong September jobs report.

Mike Woglom of Cargo Trailer Sales in Pennsylvania sells equipment that’s widely needed but often unnoticed.

A severe hurricane season puts risk models to the test. Plus, Boeing workers’ union wants pensions back in the contract.

As government bond yields have fallen, corporate bonds have attracted more investors. The cash may boost private-sector spending.

Last year, just 15% of workers had access to pension plans. Now, unionized workers like the ones at Boeing are negotiating to get them back.

Though it’s in a reliably red state, Omaha may make a big difference in November. Down-ballot and state proposals also draw funds nationwide.

More frequent severe storms mean there are, unfortunately, more opportunities to learn how to better estimate economic damage.

Because of Waffle House’s dependable service, temporary closures can indicate the severity of a natural disaster.

One reason companies are trying to stay on the sidelines? Threats of “go woke, go broke” business boycotts by conservatives.

Medicare does not pay for general, long-term care. Kamala Harris is looking to change that.

Vice President Kamala Harris is proposing Medicare take on these costs, as most Americans rely instead on unpaid care from family.

Last week, the DXY index — which tracks the value of the dollar against other major currencies — rose more than 2%, the most in two years.

In a time of fraught political polarization, it’s hard for companies to decide whether to take political stands or remain quietly on the sidelines.

From the BBC World Service: The U.S. Department of Justice is taking aim at Google.

There’s now an industry that promises to delete customers’ personal information from “people-search” sites. After studying these services, Yael Grauer of Consumer Reports says it’s still tough to wipe your slate clean online.

Climate change can be a threat multiplier from the Pentagon’s point of view. What that might look like in the not-too-distant future.

Two megastorms take economic as well as human tolls. Plus, a check-in with musician and author Dessa.

Recovery goes on long after the cameras have moved on.

Many are more optimistic and open to new projects because their own costs are easing and they expect consumers to spend more.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to invite 50,000 American youths before 2029 to help stabilize U.S.-China relations.

The singer, songwriter and author discusses creativity and the “double bottom line” that rewards artists but makes them vulnerable.

The financial challenges (and perks) of the single life.

The increasingly dynamic nature of the American economy since the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought deep changes.

We chat with journalist Jason Schreier about the rise and fall of Blizzard, the maker of World of Warcraft.

A new book by reporter Jason Schreier explores the history, successes and deep-rooted challenges of Blizzard Entertainment.

The September National Federation of Independent Business survey saw its sentiment index rise 0.3 points, but it was still well below the historic average.

Many homeowners near Tampa Bay lack adequate flood insurance as Hurricane Milton swiftly approaches.

From the BBC World Service: Beijing is hitting back with tariffs on brandy imports. Other EU products could also face extra charges.

Catherine Terranova, executive director of the DEF CON Voting Village and the Election Integrity Foundation, discusses how the annual Las Vegas hackathon bolsters transparency and reliability as America prepares to vote.

Listen to the trailer now!

Today marks one year since Hamas’ attack on Israel and the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war.

What happens when unpredictable economic shifts continue? Plus, what the CIA’s nonprofit VC arm invests in.

Consumer credit overall increased, while revolving debt — that’s mostly on credit cards — was down 1.2%, according to the Federal Reserve.

Agency’s taxpayer-funded investment arm seeks tech that could boost national security. It’s made some smart bets, says Jon Keegan of Sherwood.

A slowing market and changing regulations following the NAR settlement are driving many agents out of the industry.

The Authors Guild will offer its 15,000 members a new certificate to place book covers: one that shows a book is written by humans and not artificial intelligence.

Friday’s jobs report showed the percentage of working age people in a job or looking for one was holding at 62.7% last month.

We had a banner jobs report last week. Are banner earnings next? And what would all that mean for future rate cuts?

Trader Jared Dillian says PE firms are having problems exiting their investments, and he worries that the sector poses systemic risk.

Spending plans proposed by former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris would both add trillions to the national debt.

From the BBC World Service: The biggest rise in oil prices for nearly two years was recorded on Friday. We’ll discuss the latest developments.

Director Cullen Hoback has a new documentary, “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery,” in which he explores the real identity of bitcoin’s creator, known by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto.