Marketplace

The Russell 2000, a stock index of smaller companies or “small caps,” has fallen behind the S&P 500 over the past few years. A Fed rate cut, which may come as soon as next week, could change their luck. In this episode, why interest rates have an outsize effect on smaller companies. Plus: Homebuilding is harder under President Trump’s tariffs and immigration policies, brands lean into the power of scent, and we recap the week’s economic headlines. 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 labor market has been cooling for a bit, and in some sectors is virtually frozen. That could push the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. But the Fed’s other mandate, besides maximum employment, is price stability. And inflation is picking up. What to do, what to do…. Later in this episode: Why are utilities costs up? Are restaurants hiring when no one else is? And, should retirement accounts have access to private equity funds? 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.

Consumer prices have been overall slow to reflect the Trump administration’s new tariffs. So we called up some retailers to understand why they haven’t raised their prices, even though their costs are higher. It turns out, bumping up prices isn’t as easy as pushing a button — and can come with consequences. Also in this episode: Bond yields tell us where the economy’s headed, volatile categories can have an outsize impact on the PPI, and a new book investigates the “double tax” Black women face. 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.

Budget cuts may be in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' future. But the data collected by the BLS is critical for federal decision making. In this episode, we calculate if the $700 million investment is worthwhile. Plus: Firms that spend the most on AI slash tons of jobs, economic uncertainty drives up the price of gold, and mortgage rates fall — which is good for buyers but a bad sign for the overall economy. 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.

China's exports to the U.S. are down a third year over year. That’s a significant drop, reflective of President Trump’s punishing tariff agenda. Although China’s overall export growth has slowed, it still rose 4.5% in August — thanks, in part, to strategic redirection to new markets. In this episode, what the U.S. stands to lose by cutting off China as a trade partner. Plus: Luxury brands remain mostly insulated from economic uncertainty and fintech firm Robinhood prepares to join the S&P 500. 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.