Sep 1, 2020

The best August for the S&P 500 since 1986

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

There's historically high unemployment, low consumer confidence, and then there's the soaring stock market. Plus, the downside of low interest rates. And, more airlines cancel the fees for changing domestic flight tickets.

Segments From this episode

The S&P 500 index closed out August up 7%

Marketplace’s Nova Safo has more on why those stocks performed so well.

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How low interest rates could make inequality worse

by David Brancaccio , Rose Conlon and Erika Soderstrom

Sep 1, 2020

Low interest rates hurt our ability to save.

Karen Petrou, managing partner at Federal Financial Analytics, says there's "nothing" in the Federal Reserve's new policy for "shared prosperity."

Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Airlines waive change fees in hopes of spurring reservations

by Andy Uhler

Sep 1, 2020

Their aim is to generate demand by eliminating uncertainty for those booking in advance.

A passenger waits for a United Airlines flight to begin. Demand for air travel has been curtailed by the coronavirus.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Stressed Out Twenty One Pilots

The team

David Brancaccio Host

Victoria Craig Host, BBC

Stephen Ryan Senior Producer, BBC

Jonathan Frewin Producer, BBC

Daniel Shin Producer

Jay Siebold Technical Director

Brian Allison Engineer

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Rose Conlon Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

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