Week of November 4th, 2024

President-elect Trump’s relationship with the Tesla CEO has serious implications.

These tools help lower peak demand as our economy is increasingly electrified.

Some experts argue that tax breaks would encourage more construction. Others advocate for less restrictive zoning laws.

The University of Michigan survey was done before Election Day. Optimism about future economic conditions is at best level in nearly four years.

Experts weigh in.

Corn and soybean farmer April Hemmes is preparing for new tariffs from a second Trump administration.

They cause billions of dollars worth in damage, but many regional economies prove to be resilient.

In this week’s “Make Me Smart” newsletter, we explore how President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promises could shape the U.S. economy over the next four years.

This election, economic concerns were on the minds of Gen Z voters, who have 86% less purchasing power than baby boomers did at their age.

Gen Z’s lived experience through the pandemic and a period of high inflation meant that the economy was a top issue.

On Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell wouldn’t rule out an interest rate hike next year, though that’s not the plan at this point.

We’ll look at yesterday’s rate cut, as well as what Donald Trump’s proposals could mean for the Federal Reserve.

From the BBC World Service: China has unveiled measures worth $1.4 trillion to tackle local government debt.

Paresh Dave, senior writer at Wired, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino for Tech Bytes: Week in Review.

Other streamers are growing, too.

How much stuff can American businesses get shipped here before Trump’s tariff plan is enacted? Plus, mergers and acquisitions as an economic indicator.

We check in with our listeners about the outcome of the U.S. elections.

It’s unclear when or if tariffs are coming, but some businesses are increasing their overseas orders ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

They’re the ultimate bets companies can make on their futures. So M&A activity can reflect confidence in the economy.

Austin Golding says the oil and gas industry should meet climate goals via competition and evolution rather than constraints on production and transport.

Lyft says that nearly half of the company’s weekday rides were commutes to or from work.

The rate cut follows a larger half-point reduction in September.

Dissatisfaction with the economy drove voters to the polls. And Trump was viewed as the change candidate.

Traditional polls showed a toss-up for the presidential election. Betting markets predicted a Trump win.

Because a lot of it is earmarked for congressional districts represented by Republicans.

And at least this time, these betting markets knew something traditional forecasters didn’t.

The politics of stopping the flow of Inflation Reduction Act funds will be tough.

From the BBC World Service: Germany’s coalition government is falling apart after the chancellor unexpectedly sacked his finance minister yesterday.

English teacher Leila Wheless says many of her students expect “things should be easy, entertaining, immediately accessible, and if it isn’t, they quit.” She’s trying to help them embrace their tasks and break their smartphone “addiction.”

The Fed’s Beige Book reports shortages in industries including technology, manufacturing and construction.

Plus, Heather Long at The Washington Post tells us what Trump’s policies could mean for the Federal Reserve.

Many gained on the prospect of lower taxes and the relief from uncertainty. But bonds declined on forecasts of bigger deficits.

Here’s what tariffs on goods from China and elsewhere have already meant for businesses and consumers since his first term.

And more thoughts on the election.

Higher tariffs and lower taxes are key to Trump’s plan. The WSJ’s Greg Ip weighs their potential effect on the economy Biden and the Fed built.

Mass deportations could impact everything from growth to wages to inflation.

We’ll unpack what a Trump win means for stocks, bonds, tariffs, interest rates and more.

A second presidency of Donald Trump could threaten the Federal Reserve’s independence, which is a cornerstone of monetary policy.

The Federal Reserve’s easing of interest rates may be one factor that turned the mood around. Another could be the election.

Donald Trump has won the race for the White House. What does that mean for financial markets?

From the BBC World Service: Novo Nordisk posted big sales of its weight loss drug, Wegovy, but is raising alarms over unofficial copies.

With a win in Wisconsin, former President Donald Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.

Anna Erickson of Georgia Tech explains why the public and private sectors are investing in reactor technology and restarting retired plants. The system, though, still faces cost, safety and regulatory issues.

It’s legal — for now.

Rita Magalde moved Sheer Ambrosia from her home kitchen to a commercial space in Salt Lake City.

The reinsurance industry is under pressure as natural disasters intensify. Plus, how flooding in Spain could mess with Europe’s produce supply.

Spain exports fruits, vegetables and other crops to the U.K. and EU, and shoppers will likely see the flood’s effects in their grocery prices.

It may take a few days, since processing votes can be labor intensive.

The drilling byproduct could power future electric vehicles and expand the U.S. role in clean energy. Extraction methods are in development.

Workers’ contributions follow trend of wages and inflation, but in a weaker labor market, businesses will have more leeway to reduce spending.

But the problem’s industry-wide: Airbus is also dealing with a hefty backlog.

As communities recover from Helene and Milton, insurance sometimes needs insurance of its own.

During the pandemic, a wide variety of factors led to rising prices, including supply chain snarls.

The chipmaker Nvidia will replace its rival Intel on the stock index. And the paint company Sherwin-Williams will sub in for the chemical giant Dow.

And all of those supply chain issues during the pandemic taught some businesses valuable lessons.

Investors don’t have a hotline to our political future and are stuck in wait-and-see purgatory, just like the rest of us on this Election Day.

This season, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are coming to Broadway’s stages for limited runs. But can producers make money when a show can sell tickets for just a few months?

Reuters is reporting that there could be some big swings in currency markets as election results roll in later tonight.

Derek Tisler of the Brennan Center for Justice discusses how minor glitches can be amplified into conspiracy theories and spread quickly. He encourages voters to learn more, participate more, and share their concerns with election officials.

Your favorite “Million Bazillion” songs about money and the economy.

As climate change erodes beaches, how will that impact coastal military bases?

How local economies may differ along political lines.

The oil cartel is holding back millions of barrels a day.

Why does Congress want all new cars to have AM radio? Plus, Kai visits a San Diego beach that’s become a climate research site for the military.

The ins and outs of membership in the 30-company group that represents success across industries and reflects stock market conditions.

Trump’s proposed tariffs would extend to most U.S. trading partners. American agricultural exports are a favorite target for retaliation.

AM radio’s popularity has declined, leading some carmakers to drop the equipment. Broadcasters say their stations are crucial in emergencies.

American consumers bear the brunt of tariffs — despite what the former president has said on the campaign trail.

Are individual campaign donations a better guide to the election than polls? We’ll hear why one economist thinks so.

A small town Wyoming editor has been running the local 120-year-old weekly newspaper by herself.

We’re barely out of Halloween, yet retailers are keen to get the holiday shopping season started.

From the BBC World Service: Authorities in Valencia, Spain are now facing the massive task of reconstructing key roads and tunnels.

Yes, tomorrow is Election Day. But don’t forget: We have a Federal Reserve meeting this week, too.

Allie Funk, who leads the technology and democracy initiative at the nonprofit Freedom House, says many governments suppressed online speech and information while holding and/or preparing for elections.