There have been mixed messages on interest rate cuts, and that uncertainty is weighing on consumers. As the Federal Reserve continues its effort to bring inflation down to 2%, economists watch how consumers interpret that kind of messaging and what their expectations are. Also in this episode: Black unemployment spikes, the impact of cyberattacks on small businesses and the growing use of psychometric assessments for job seekers.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is back in China, less than a year since her last visit. In 2023, she was focused on gently reopening communication channels. This time she has a clear message: You’re making too much stuff. In this episode, why the U.S., Japan and some European countries are pressuring China to slow its manufacturing sector. Plus, we’ll hear from cargo ship workers stranded in Baltimore and learn about the welder shortage.

The legal right to ignore an after-hours call from your boss might seem appealing but unlikely. A California lawmaker, though, hopes to follow the lead of a dozen countries that have laws against it. Allowing employees to disconnect could be a plus for overall health and happiness, but not everyone supports the bill. Plus, women suffer a setback in the C-suite, economic data feels sorta choose-your-own-adventure right now, and denim is eternal.

Venture investments fell in the first quarter of 2024 to a near five-year low, PitchBook says. Funds started falling when the Federal Reserve first raised interest rates, and large exits have slowed in the past couple of years. Plus, “another test for the community”: Where Baltimore port workers and nearby businesses stand. Also, how campaign ads shape voters’ economic views and what the Realtors settlement means for buyers and sellers.

Interest rates on savings accounts have climbed in recent years. And high rates are great if you have money to squirrel away. With the Federal Reserve signaling it’s likely to cut rates, people can expect their banks to do the same. In this episode: how Fed rate cuts would impact high-yield savings and CDs. Plus, February job openings data, the cost of the Key Bridge collapse and the problem for TikTok-dependent beauty brands.

Twenty years ago, Google launched Gmail. Users thought the promise of 1 gigabyte of free storage was an April Fools’ joke. It wasn’t. In this episode, how Gmail came to dominate the email space — and everything connected to it. Plus, legislators rush to help workers affected by the Baltimore bridge collapse, small businesses prep for next week’s eclipse, and some states might cut funding for parent caregivers of disabled kids.

Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell sat down with “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal to discuss inflation expectations, the central bank’s political independence, and humility in the face of national crises. The chairman also talked about how he consults with members of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, why he worries when interest rates are covered like a “horse race,” and more.

Americans often vote based on economic conditions, but how voters feel about the economy doesn’t always align with the data. That disconnect can cost candidates an election — it might have happened in 1992 and it might happen in 2024. Also in this episode: Resume-spamming bots speed up job applications, the Federal Reserve hunts for “good data” and Home Depot bets on big construction projects as the DIY craze dies down and infrastructure funding kicks in.

Among the missing workers from yesterday’s bridge collapse are men from El Salvador, Mexico and Guatemala. According to the Labor Department, Latin American immigrants are among the workers most likely to die on the job. Plus, ever heard of “search funds”? Business school grads are using them as a fast track to the CEO seat. Also: The yen is at a 30-year low, and secondhand desks helped kickstart one business owner’s journey.

The Port of Baltimore is an important link in the U.S. supply chain. For one, it’s the nation’s busiest port for car shipments. But after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning, the disruption could be prolonged. Plus, is 67 too young? Why some think the U.S. should raise its retirement age. Plus, how new construction impacts Houston’s housing market and what CHIPS Act funding means for a 1950s-era manufacturing plant in Vermont.

The Biden administration, through legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, has its sights set on facilitating the transition to clean energy. But can the federal government control clean energy supply and demand? Is decarbonizing the industrial sector even possible? We’ll dig in. Also in this episode: Boeing’s CEO plans to step down, homes remain unaffordable despite new supply and mobile home residents come together to secure stable housing.

At first, Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell’s speeches may seem yawn-inspiring. But economists, stock brokers and business folks around the globe pick over his every word, hoping for hints about the economy to come. In this episode, Fed chair speech theatrics: You just have to know what to listen for. Plus, Walmart starts selling luxury goods, affordable electric vehicles may be on their way and an economic indicator that’s been signaling “recession to come” for two years has finally turned around.

Initial unemployment claims dropped more than expected last week, down 2,000 from the week before. And that stat continues inching toward historic lows. Also in this episode: Oh, to live in the Big Apple! Why cargo bike deliveries are taking off, what the city’s new trash management plan looks like and how climate change causes home insurance headaches across the country.

“More good data” is what the Fed wants to see before it declares victory over inflation and cuts interest rates. The central bank looks at a lot of data from different sources. And as the economy changes, so do the Fed’s preferences regarding the facts and figures that inform its decisions. Plus, Intel secures $8.5 billion in CHIPS Act funding, Alaska faces looming gas shortages and e-waste holds troves of scarce resources.

Food plays a big role in this economy, and we’ll dig in to some industry niches in today’s episode. First up: Unilever is cutting ties with its ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry’s and Breyers. We’ll also chew on Trader Joe’s recalls and chocolate bunny inflation. Plus: geothermal energy on Chicago’s South Side and NCAA women’s basketball.

To buy a house, you’ll probably need a real estate agent. Traditionally, sellers pay both agents a commission, a cost baked into the buyer’s closing fees. But a lawsuit settlement last week means buyers could start paying their agents directly or on an hourly basis. Also in this episode: global central banks meet this week, new tech may help bring down methane emissions, and avian flu is killing chickens across California.

The U.S. economy has been on a job creation spree in the last few years. But wage inflation has eased and unemployment even ticked up recently. What gives? Also in this episode: Infrastructure grants aid communities of color, e-commerce changes the way we shop and crawfish farmers struggle with the impact of record heat.

We keep a close eye on the price of oil because it feeds so many industries and hints at what’s coming for the global economy. And right now, the price of crude is going up along with gas at the pump. One reason is that OPEC is holding back on supply. Another: Spring is coming. We’ll explain. Also in this episode: The state of American steel, the rise of the AI training industry, and the Taiwanese roots of bubble tea.

Catastrophe bonds are a risky bet to make. But they offered returns of nearly 20% last year, Bloomberg reported. In this episode, we’ll cover why climate change makes these bonds more popular — and more lucrative. Plus: sporting brands have an overstock problem, large group reservations are hard to come by and ads on e-commerce sites make up a $50 billion industry

The February consumer price index is out — inflation was 3.2% year over year. That’s just a smidge higher than January. Still, prices in some sectors are down from a year ago. We’ll dig into the data, from price drops in furniture to still waters in apparel. Plus: the state of banking one year after the SVB fiasco and the future of addiction treatment in Oregon.