Aug 9, 2017

08/09/2017: Stop worrying and love the bond market

This undated picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency in 2014 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, front left, inspecting the command of Korean People's Army. KNS/AFP/Getty Images

The headlines about fire and fury and escalation and threats and all that has happened the past 24 hours are alarming. No doubt about it. Without discounting the reality of what's going on, allow us to cut through the fear a little bit. Nothing in this economy reacts as viscerally to the news as the markets to. The bond market, in particular, is a refuge in times of uncertainty. And it's telling us to take a deep breath. We'll explain. Then: For the first time in 60 years, the U.S. is set to become a net exporter of natural gas. Now we need to get the infrastructure up to speed. Plus: Go ahead, cut the cord, see if cable companies care.

Segments From this episode

Why the government believes seniors are paying $200 million more for drugs than they need to

by Dan Gorenstein

Aug 9, 2017

Critics say a controversial program that provides hospitals with deep discounts is being abused.

FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

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What the bond markets are saying about North Korea

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Aug 9, 2017

The headlines today have been a lot about fire and fury and escalation and threats from North Korea. One way to cut through the fear is to look at what financial markets are thinking — bond markets, in particular. They act as sort of a fact check on the news and the economy. And bond […]

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Cable companies don’t mind if customers watch more streamed TV

by Annie Baxter

Aug 9, 2017

You may have heard about Disney’s announcement that it’s going to launch its own streaming service. The company is ending a deal with Netflix and says it wants more control over its destiny. And as for cable, that service that “cord cutters” and “cord nevers” spurn, is another streaming service a problem for them? Maybe […]

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People are "begging" for plus-size fashion

by Kai Ryssdal , Emily Henderson and Sean McHenry

Aug 9, 2017

The change in the market has been driven by the community, writer Ashley C. Ford says.

A view of the crowd during the Glamour x Lane Bryant Collection Launch at Lane Bryant in New York City in 2016.

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Glamour

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"South Africa's economy is in dire straits" with no short-term fix

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Aug 9, 2017

In South Africa, there’s political disquiet this week along with economic discontent. The South African parliament tried and failed to oust President Jacob Zuma in a secret-ballot vote of no confidence. While the failure wasn’t a shock, the final vote was closer than it’s ever been, which has made Zuma’s critics more confident. Zuma is […]

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What a West Coast gas terminal could mean for the Rockies

by Marketplace Contributor

Aug 9, 2017

It would provide direct access to overseas markets. With a new administration in place, the project could be revived.

A liquefied natural gas importation terminal on the Isle of Grain, England.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

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The headlines about fire and fury and escalation and threats and all that has happened the past 24 hours are alarming. No doubt about it. Without discounting the reality of what’s going on, allow us to cut through the fear a little bit. Nothing in this economy reacts as viscerally to the news as the markets to. The bond market, in particular, is a refuge in times of uncertainty. And it’s telling us to take a deep breath. We’ll explain. Then: For the first time in 60 years, the U.S. is set to become a net exporter of natural gas. Now we need to get the infrastructure up to speed. Plus: Go ahead, cut the cord, see if cable companies care.