Inflation sped up in May. What's to blame?

Careers in the trades — a path that’s largely more AI-proof, less expensive, and more dependable — are attracting more attention. We visit Hope Renovations, a program in North Carolina focused on getting more women and non-binary people into the trades. Also, we look at a decline in the labor force participation rate, country stores in New England, and a tailoring business in Utah.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.

The Labor Department’s June jobs report came in with just 57,000 new jobs added. Economists expected double that, and while the unemployment rate ticked down, we consider why job growth may be middling. Also in this episode, we look at stagnant wage growth, a start-up that’s looking to de-extinct the woolly mammoth, the “lump of labor” fallacy, Saudi Aramco’s World Cup sponsorship, and a social worker who leads tours to supplement retirement.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.

It’s unclear what Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will do regarding interest rates, but would a “Fed put” actually help promote stability in financial markets? Also in this episode, we look at why fewer teens are getting paid jobs, a decline in single-family homebuilding, prediction markets for natural disasters, traffic expanding way beyond rush hour, and the booming cowboy boot market.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.

Fresh data on consumer confidence shows a lot of mixed signals — Americans are feeling better about the economy and where inflation is headed, but worse about job prospects and family finances. Also in this episode, we look at the widening gender wage gap, a small business owner dealing with tariffs, how remote work is giving families more options, and growing natural gas infrastructure.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.

The Supreme Court’s ruling Monday expanded presidential power over agencies that would traditionally be viewed as independent, with the Federal Reserve as an exception. What does that mean going forward? Also in this episode, we look at rising transportation costs, infrastructure projects, Comcast’s spinoff of NBCUniversal, and the business of estate sales in Los Angeles.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.

Economists are forecasting that AI is likely to cause prices to rise over the course of the next year. On Thursday, both Microsoft and Apple said they’re raising prices some of their flagship products thanks to skyrocketing memory and storage costs. But AI could end up making a whole lot of things cheaper — eventually. Also in this episode: how one union negotiated huge savings on healthcare prices, a look at the garage sale culture in Alaska, and the return of the restaurant matchbook.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.

Inflation was up 4.1% in May, according to the BEA’s personal consumption expenditures index. We know hot energy prices, resulting from the war in Iran, were part of that spike. But cut out energy and food, and inflation still hit a three-year high, at 3.4%. So what else is driving the increase? Also in this episode: Q1 GDP is revised up, Wyoming navigates the consequences of property tax cuts, and Great Lakes cargo ships make up a vital branch of U.S. supply chains.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories from today’s episode:It's not just food and energy — "core" inflation is up as wellGDP grew 2.1% in the first quarter of 2026. What does that tell us?What do we need property taxes for? Wyoming is finding outNeed a burger? A car? Winter road salt? Thank cargo ships on the Great LakesGen Z trades in date-flation for "solo-maxxing"

When the U.S. launched a war against Iran, some Wall Street traders bet the ensuing energy shortages would push inflation up. Now that a ceasefire has brought down gas prices, the narrative has shifted: What if cheaper gas fires up the economy too much? In this episode, the markets are betting on inflation, whichever way you slice it. Plus: Prospective buyers struggle to secure mortgages on homes worth less than $100,000, local getaways anticipate healthy summer vacation demand, and direct-to-consumer brands reframe their environmental commitments.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories in today’s episode: Whether oil prices are high or low, Wall Street is betting on inflationThe housing bill that might make small mortgages easierWith summer travelers facing higher costs, local vacation spots are thrivingWhy one direct-to-consumer brand is shifting its messagingBeekeeper turned business owner is growing into newer, bigger spaces

A typical starter home in nearly 250 U.S. cities is now worth $1 million or more, according to Zillow. Is that even a starter home anymore? In this episode, how rapid housing inflation has changed the game for first-time homebuyers and why more Americans are opting for a starter home in the suburbs. Plus: Manufacturing data reflects strong sector growth, U.S. trading partners bear the economic brunt of Trump’s war with Iran, and the 1973 oil crisis provides lessons for dealing with chaotic fuel costs today.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories from today’s episode:A key index shows the U.S. economy is expanding. Elsewhere, not so muchStrong manufacturing numbers mask a sector hedging against war and tariff uncertaintyFor this London honey seller, Brexit has been "a chaotic 10 years"When the "starter home" price tag hits $1 millionWhat can the oil crisis of 1973 teach us about today?A fixer-upper became a forever home for this Massachusetts couple

The last time Austan Goolsbee voted in an FOMC meeting, he was one of two policymakers opposed to cutting interest rates. Six months later, he doesn’t regret that dissent. In this episode, Kai catches up with the Chicago Fed president to discuss the central bank’s communication style, persistent inflation concerns, and former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan’s legacy. Plus: Beef prices are likely to keep climbing this year, it could take months to rebuild depleted oil reserves, and economists make a case that AI could drive more inflation.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe 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 — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories from today’s episode:Chicago Fed President: Inflation is "well above the target and has been going the wrong way"As the oil crisis eases, the global scramble to replenish reserves beginsWhy beef prices keep climbingMany economists believe that AI will lead to more inflation. Why?How We Survive: A Carbon Burial at Sea