Jun 15, 2021

How the balance of power in the labor market is shifting

Investor and columnist Barry Ritholtz argues that the key to the so-called labor shortage is inadequate pay. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Also: why retail sales are down, about that U.S.-EU truce on airplane subsidies and what lowering the Medicare eligibility age would mean for American health care.

Segments From this episode

Retail sales are down, but what's really going on with consumer spending?

by Mitchell Hartman

Jun 15, 2021

As the economy opens up, people are spending more on doing things — not on actual things.

Clothing sales surged in May — a sign that people are starting to go out and do things again.

Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy's

LISTEN

EMBED

The Federal Reserve's "dot plot" explained

“Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal explains what Federal Reserve watchers mean when they refer to the Fed’s “dot plot,” and how some use it to predict future Fed policy.

Listen Now

Truce on Airbus/Boeing subsidies lets sides focus on emerging competitor

by Scott Tong

Jun 15, 2021

U.S.-EU pact suspends punitive tariffs and could spur collaboration to fend off Chinese expansion in the commercial aircraft industry.

Eric Piermont/AFP via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

What lowering the Medicare eligibility age would mean for health care

by Kimberly Adams

Jun 15, 2021

Among the many issues fighting for space on the political agenda is a Biden campaign promise to lower expand access Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans have seen a number of scandals, Marketplace's senior economics contributor explains why.

Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

employment

"The balance of power is shifting": Ritholtz on the future of work and wages

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Jun 15, 2021

Investor and columnist Barry Ritholtz says workers are gaining leverage in relations with management, which could lift wages.

Investor and columnist Barry Ritholtz argues that the key to the so-called labor shortage is inadequate pay.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

cars

U.S. cars and light trucks got a little older during the pandemic

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Jun 15, 2021

The average age rose by a couple months to 12.1 years. That doesn't mean there are more clunkers on the road.

The average vehicle on the road in the U.S. is now about 12.1 years old, new data shows.

Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Back to Business

Why business owners are stocking up on inventory

by Justin Ho

Jun 15, 2021

Supply chain bottlenecks and a booming economy are pushing business owners to create a buffer — even taking out loans to do so.

Many businesses are stocking up on goods to meet customer demands.

Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Music from the episode

Butterflies Anchorsong

Palm Trees Loop Schrauber

Pin It Down Madison Cunningham

Still Think Chrome Sparks

oh baby LCD Soundsystem

Favorite Song Sinkane

Superposition Young the Giant

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Latest Episodes From Our Shows

Jun 12, 2024