logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
7m 45s

An end-of-summer consumer bum-out

MARKETPLACE
About this episode

Earlier this year, people were feeling more upbeat about the economy, with the job market hot and inflation cooling. But consumer confidence fell for the second straight month in September, according to The Conference Board. What’s weighing on consumers’ minds? We also unpack the lawsuit filed against Amazon by the FTC and 17 states, then hear about India’s premium motorcycle business boom.

Up next
Apr 2025
Uh oh, Pinot: How tariffs will impact the U.S. wine economy
Care for a glass of Chianti or Bordeaux after recent market volatility? It’ll cost ya. After a tense few weeks, President Donald Trump announced a 20% tariff on all EU goods, including wine. While you might think that U.S. producers would be cheering, domestic wineries and wine s ... Show More
8m 6s
Apr 2025
Some calm has come back to financial markets
Overseas stock markets and U.S. stock index futures are showing an upward move in prices today, and volatility is down in sharp contrast to yesterday morning. Yesterday’s rollercoaster ride resulted from false information about a potential tariff pause. Some $2.5 trillion went in ... Show More
9m 28s
Apr 2025
China’s not backing down in the tariff fight
From the BBC World Service: In a push toward a full-blown global trade war, China has reacted strongly to President Donald Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on its exports to more than 100%, saying it would “fight until the end.” Meanwhile, markets in Asia and Europe are more stabl ... Show More
8m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
New home sales ticked down in August
Stocks fall; sales are still up from a year ago; FTC, several states sue Amazon over unfair trade practices; consumer confidence falls in September 
1m 5s
Oct 2023
Consumer prices rise at slower pace
Stocks fall; rent and gasoline push up consumer prices; Social Security benefits to rise by less than last year; new jobless claims unchanged from prior week. 
1m 20s
Dec 2023
Can we ever get good news?
In the last week, we’ve seen some solid labor and retail data. Unemployment is low, job availability is high and consumers are spending more than they did last year. But in an economy that’s hyperfocused on tamping down inflation, what’s good for workers might not be good for pri ... Show More
27m 19s