Week of November 25th, 2024

Nearly half of Americans still have debt from last year’s holiday season. Plus, low gas prices and a snapshot of China’s economy.

A sluggish crude oil market, moderate global demand and healthy U.S. refining capacity have combined to drive down fuel costs

Retail sales growth was the highest in eight months in October, but the property slump continues.

The proportion has doubled since last year. Amid constant advertising, more people have credit card balances and those balances are rising.

“You could teach the entire history of American architectural style just using dormitories,” says Carla Yanni of Rutgers University.

Advent calendars, which help brands market directly to consumers, are big business. Social media has a lot to do with their popularity.

It depends on how much consumers are willing to spend, and how much retailers are willing to discount. Some years the discounting is deeper, and this is expected to be one of those years.

Income growth is continuing to propel the U.S. economy. But whether consumers keep spending into next year could depend on where they are on the income scale.

From fake delivery texts to ads for nonexistent products, now is the time to be especially careful when holiday deals looks too good to be true.

Independent podcasters now often do video, and try to become influencers.

The season offers swindlers many opportunities to lure trusting shoppers. But there are ways to protect yourself.

From the BBC World Service: Canada’s competition watchdog files a lawsuit against Google, accusing it of unfairly dominating the online advertising market. Plus, Australia passes a social media ban for kids under 16.

Natasha Mascarenhas, reporter at The Information, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino for “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Some working to put roofs over homeless people’s heads worry that insurance costs could put them out of business. Plus, BNPL and the wage vs. inflation horse race.

Wage growth for the last several months continued to exceed inflation, though there are some signs of cooling.

The 0% interest on many buy now, pay later plans is appealing to cash-strapped holiday shoppers. But nonpayment ends up on credit reports.

The rise in premiums has less to do with the threat of extreme weather and more to do with the very nature of the business: providing housing for people exiting homelessness.

The National Retail Federation expects over 183 million people to shop between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Plus, are U.S. Treasurys still “risk-free” investments?

While we gorge on turkey today, the U.S. government continues to rack up debt. The national debt is just over $36 trillion. Most would agree there’s something to cut in all of that. The question is how?

From the BBC World Service: Uniqlo CEO Tadashi Yanai wants to become the world’s biggest clothing retailer. Also: Malaysia is now a hub for plastic recycling, but how safe and sustainable is this trade?

Pre-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales aren’t just about getting more of our money early. It’s about getting us to imagine all the things we want to buy as prices continue to drop.

A new study looking at how U.S. Treasurys were bought and sold during peak pandemic casts doubt on this dynamic.

It’s big — maybe even bigger than you think. Plus, investments in software with AI capabilities.

Plus, the hosts share what they’re thankful for.

Some businesses are trying out software with AI capabilities.

Homeowners’ median net worth is about $400,000. Renters? Just $10,000, according to the Aspen Institute’s Financial Security Program.

In his new book, writer Nate DiMeo adapts his beloved podcast that looks at the stories that fall through the cracks of history

Older Americans have often relocated for warmer weather. But interest in reuniting with family is adding to the demographic shift.

From the end of November, large planes will be able to land at Nuuk for the first time, thanks to a new, longer runway and a sleek new terminal building.

The nation’s largest retailer joins a growing list of companies that just a few years ago were sowing off their efforts to address racial disparities.

More than 42 million people get food assistance through SNAP, but many who are eligible don’t receive the benefits. Instacart’s new tool could help.

One study found 46% of electric vehicle owners in the U.S. were likely to switch back to combustion engines for their next car. Also: why farmers are working extra jobs.

Roughly 85% of farm families rely on another part-time or full-time job to stay in business, according to the USDA.

From the BBC World Service: The Arctic island of Greenland is hoping its new international airport will attract more visitors, and boost its fishing industry.

Despite buffering and lag issues, Netflix’s live broadcast of the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul boxing match drew multitudes of viewers. Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw explains how Netflix’s pivot will pay off for it down the road.

New home sales were down nearly 10% year over year in October. Plus, real-time shopping data and what Trump’s tariff plans could do to trade agreements.

Data like credit card swipes and parking lot satellite photos show trends long before many measures of consumer sentiment.

Otherwise, the electronics retailer had a meh quarter. We’re four years out from the pandemic sales spike, equating to common upgrade cycles.

Sue Monaghan’s business is recovering while she navigates obstacles like another possible port strike and proposed tariffs.

Online ratings have become ubiquitous. But they’ve never been noisier to interpret.

A shortage of skilled labor, high labor costs, and uncertainty about the effect of tariffs on lumber prices weigh on some homebuilders.

Plus, tips for shopping smarter this holiday season.

Trump says he’d impose 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada until they do more to stop fentanyl and migrants from crossing the border illegally.

Soybean supplies are up because soybean production is up. And soybean production is up because of China’s demand for it.

According to the American Institute of CPAs, the number of accounting graduates fell each year from 2016 to 2022 — and that’s led some to rethink the requirements for becoming a CPA.

President-elect Trump plans to impose tariffs on goods from China, Mexico and Canada. Plus, how digital currencies are weaving their way into politics.

From the BBC World Service: As President-elect Trump details his tariff plans for Mexico, Canada and China, Beijing warns against escalating trade tensions.

If Thanksgiving conversation turns to a false claim, take a breath and try to address the root of the belief, said University of Oregon’s Whitney Phillips.

When Medicare rates go down, private insurance rates often do too. Plus: Midwest migration and a career muralist.

Scott Bessent is a hedge fund manager who investors believe will balance Trump’s economic promises with fiscal reality as treasury secretary.

Cindy Fletcher Holden would hang upside-down while painting on boats. Her work evolved to beautifying walls in homes and on public spaces.

Jobs, affordable homes and family and friends are attracting homebuyers, some of whom are returning to hometowns.

The deal didn’t deliver the $1.3 trillion target that poorer countries said they need.

It’s the third straight year the COP conference has been held in an oil-exporting nation.

Publishers may have been too quick to end their print editions, says Amanda Mull at Bloomberg. “There’s demand for it among readers; there’s demand among advertisers.”

That drop in payments has a ripple effect through the health care system. It’s particularly hard on small, rural practices, some doctors say.

President-elect Trump has announced Scott Bessent as his choice to lead the Treasury Department. We look more into Bessent’s background and the role he would play as treasury secretary.

If confirmed, the billionaire hedge fund manager will have authority in areas ranging from the IRS to economic sanctions. Also on the show, World of Warcraft turns 20.

It’s been 20 years since Blizzard Entertainment launched the massively popular online role-playing game. Since then, it has left its mark on the industry and an entire generation of gamers.

From the BBC World Service: The company owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani says they’re in good shape to handle their debts. And the British government is planning major changes to workers’ rights.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino talks to Edelman’s Jack Stewart — a former Marketplace colleague — about why she’s trading in her electric vehicle for a gas-powered car after five years behind the wheel of a Volkswagen e-Golf.