Marketplace Business News

10/02/2025

Drawn in by its anonymity and accessibility, a growing number of people are using AI chatbots for therapeutic services. But is it possible for the new tech to be used safely for mental health?

Jenna Glover, chief clinical officer at the mental health care platform Headspace, says AI companies whose chatbots are used for therapy should involve trained clinical personnel in the therapy process.

10/02/2025

Happy New Year! It’s October 1, which means the fiscal year is just beginning. But why is it that (some of) our financial deadlines come a few months early?

For that matter, why does Walmart's fiscal year end on January 31?

10/01/2025

That pesky government shutdown will complicate monetary-decision making, says Chicago Fed president Austan Goolsbee.

Plus: food dyes, fiscal years, and funding for small businesses.

Today on Marketplace.

That pesky government shutdown will complicate monetary-decision making, says Chicago Fed president Austan Goolsbee. Plus: food dyes, fiscal years, and funding for small businesses.

10/01/2025

The new Apple AirPods Pro 3 include live, AI-powered translation. Kimberly is torn on the new feature, while Alaska Public Media's Ava White says it isn't speaking her language. What about you?

Join us live at 3:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. ET every Friday for Make Me Smart's "Economics on Tap" livestream, and watch the full episode at https://mktplc.org/3KnWXBM.

10/01/2025

The Trump administration has issued an additional 10% tariff on imported softwood lumber. The impact of the tariff could be delayed a bit, since importers stocked up on wood earlier in the year, but eventually that cost will be passed to either home buyers or builders.

For Canadian lumber — which is most of the lumber in the U.S. — it’s on top of an existing 35% tariff.

10/01/2025

The stock market has been holding up, but the bond market is somewhat of a different story. Declining yields on government bonds, including the 10-year T-note, could tell us something about how investors feel about tariffs, the slowing job market, and the government shutdown.

Though the stock market has held up, the yield on the 10-year T-note has been falling over the last couple days.

10/01/2025

The federal government is preparing for a shutdown at midnight tonight. Here’s how it will impact you.

09/30/2025

The current labor market and a potential shutdown are red flags, yes. But consumer and business spending remain a bright spot.

Plus: Agentic shopping, sensory-friendly haircuts, and lumber tariffs.

Today on Marketplace.

The current labor market and a potential shutdown are red flags, yes. But consumer and business spending remain a bright spot. Plus: Agentic shopping, sensory-friendly haircuts, and lumber tariffs.

09/30/2025

Usually, new homes — with their updated amenities and trendy decor — cost more than existing homes, but the median prices for the two categories have been reversed for five months now. The reason why has to do with interest rates and, of course, location, location, location.

The median price for existing homes has been exceeding that of new houses.

09/30/2025

Why does everything cost more at airports?

On a new episode of "Million Bazillion," Marketplace's podcast that teaches kids — and their parents — about money and economics, hosts Bridget and Ryan get to the bottom of why stuff costs more at airports than at regular stores, how currency exchange works, and where our money actually comes from.

Listen with your family now, wherever you get your podcasts 👇

And more travel related money questions!

09/30/2025

According to plans announced by the Department of Labor, the BLS won't be releasing Friday's jobs report in the case of a government shutdown. Economists say that will be an issue if the shutdown drags on for more than a few days, and private data won't be able to bridge the gap.

There are other reports, but they lack the breadth and depth of the one the Bureau of Labor Statistics produces.

09/30/2025

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates in September, but how long will it take for those rates to trickle down through the economy? According to some lenders, that depends on what kind of loan you’re looking at, and some other factors.

The Federal Reserve just cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point. While that should affect rates throughout the economy, some lenders report that not much has changed.