Let’s get productive

Disposable income was up 0.2% in August from July, the latest personal consumption expenditures report shows. It’s good news that income is outpacing inflation, but major life expenses like homeownership or retirement are still out of reach for many Americans. Also in this episode: Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign may benefit from Divine Nine-affiliated PACs, California decides how best to recycle EV batteries, and Denver property owners will pay an annual tax to fund sidewalk maintenance.

Good job, everyone! We’re working harder — or at least, more efficiently. Despite a cooling labor market, we’re producing more product per hour, which has major economic benefits. In the long run, that should boost the economy and heat up hiring — hopefully. Also in this episode: The military tries lowering its aircrafts’ carbon footprint; Shanghai modernizes its e-payments for visitors; and while women are a growing Formula One fan base, they aren’t yet in the driver’s seat.    

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6% right now — a better deal than 8%, which is where rates were a year ago. But home prices have grown tremendously in the past several years. So how much can falling rates really help prospective buyers? Also in this episode: a customs broker preps for a potential port strike, Dame Judi Dench could be your next AI assistant, and college football conference shake-ups are all about the money.

Last week’s interest rate cut was supposed lower borrowing costs across the economy. But there’s been a surprising coda: The interest rate on the 10-year T-note went up. So, while the Federal Reserve intended to provide an economic reprieve, some loans may have become just a little more expensive. Also in this episode: New York and Las Vegas lead in home price growth, cement needs to go green and soft skills strengthen job skills.

There’s a good chance you’ve used a computer powered by Intel — it’s a longtime Silicon Valley giant. But rival chipmaker Qualcomm is looking to get bigger. In this episode, why Intel, legendary but past its prime, may be ripe for takeover. Plus: Southwest Airlines faces pressure from an activist investor, talking to a human customer service rep has become a privilege and federally sponsored free COVID tests are back.    

Ever wanted to burn up physical manifestations of the year’s heart-wrenching grief and financial dread in a 50-foot-tall, marionette-shaped effigy? Same! In this episode, we visit the 100th Burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where attendees do just that. Plus: Climate change may be to blame for pricey potato chips and corporations rehire old executives in unstable times.

Interest rates fell in the wake of yesterday’s cut by the Federal Reserve — kinda. Truth is, most lenders had anticipated this move for a while and already lowered their rates before the Fed’s announcement. But we’ll have to wait for some of the other ripple effects. Also in this episode: Educators cautiously consider artificial intelligence products, consumers aren’t too interested in the new iPhone and we visit a remote edge of Alaska where national security and climate change clash.

Federal Reserve policymakers met this week and announced they’re cutting interest rates by half a percentage point. That’s meant to buoy the economy, but getting the public to understand why rates have been high, and why now’s the time to cut, is tricky. In this episode, experts weigh in on Chair Jerome Powell’s communication prowess. Plus, Gen Zers feel the pain of a tight job market combined with high prices, and we travel back in time to a Fed rate cut in 2019.

Since the COVID pandemic started, you’ve been shopping online more, right? Though consumer spending remained relatively stable over the past year, shopping at nonstore retailers (i.e., e-commerce) grew nearly 8%. We get it, it’s more convenient and safer, pandemic-wise. But how are brick-and-mortars adapting? Also in this episode: Corporate execs spout similar economic lingo, our electric grid’s got green energy shortcomings and rate cut anticipation raises homebuilders’ confidence.

For years, global oil demand has ticked up, mostly thanks to China’s voracious consumption. But real estate trouble combined with widespread electric vehicle adoption means China’s not guzzling oil like it used to. In this episode, the impact on the global oil market. Plus: A dockworker strike could put snags in holiday shopping, flight attendants dislike delays as much as you do and four states will vote on bond measures in November.