Marketplace

The Conference Board’s latest consumer confidence index notched its highest monthly increase in four years. To be clear, it was coming off a five-year low in April, but the jump still represents cooling trade war anxieties among American consumers. Also in this episode: The U.S. isn’t the only country experiencing rising bond yields, durable goods orders fell in April and first-time home owners in Houston are saddled with climate-related cost burdens. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] — and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.

When “vibecession” became a word in 2022, it referred to consumers grappling with higher prices despite a strong economy. This year, consumers are feeling similar. In this episode, what makes today’s sour economic mood, driven by trade war anxiety, different from the last one. Plus: Two big economic indicators come out later this week, we explain the inner workings of online travel agents, and “This is Uncomfortable” host Reema Khrais helps a couple solve a financial disagreement. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.

The WNBA’s first expansion team in 18 years, the Golden State Valkyries, played its first game last week to a crowd of 18,000 fans. Though this uncertain economy may not be ideal for most new businesses, professional women’s basketball is soaring to new heights: three brand-new teams joined the league this season. In this episode, why WNBA franchises are emphasizing community over star power to attract new fans. Plus: falling international student enrollment is bad news for the job market and locals push back against lithium mining in the Andes. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.

The supply of homes for sale hit a nearly five-year high in April, but prospective buyers aren’t exactly taking the bait. Some may feel they’re swimming in options, but many can’t afford what’s available. In this episode, why the spring housing market is feeling unbalanced. Plus, online restaurant reservation platforms duke it out with the help of credit card companies, big cities grow bigger and investors see U.S. Treasuries as an increasingly risky option. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.

The latest GOP spending and tax bill would add an estimated $3.8 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. More debt means the government will issue more bonds. But investors don’t necessarily want a flooded bond market — we’ll explain why. Also in this episode: Stakeholders report longer waits for financial aid information since Department of Education layoffs, retailers set their sights on European markets to alleviate tariff pressure and workplace adoption of AI is tricky to track. Every story has an economic angle. Want ‘em in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.