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How the economy went "K-shaped" Oct 31, 2025

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The U.S. economy is increasingly “K-shaped.” That means the gap between the wealthiest companies and consumers, and ... everyone else, is growing. Big Tech companies rake it in while smaller firms struggle. Similarly, the economy is increasingly dependent on the wealthiest consumers as everyone else pinches pennies. Economists warn these imbalances make the economy more fragile. Also in this episode: Farmers experiment with agrivoltaics, a Chicago tour guide showcases the city’s architectural history, and we recap the week's economic headlines.

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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.

Business leaders to Congress: End the shutdown Oct 31, 2025

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The government shutdown has now lasted a full month. Now, some business leaders — including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, the American Bankers Association, and more — have issued a statement urging Congress to reopen the government. They cite estimates that the shutdown will cause $10 billion to $15 billion per week in lost output and economic activity. Plus, how much would you spend to find a job?

Clues about where inflation might be headed Oct 31, 2025

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The personal consumption expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve's favorite inflation measure, was supposed to be released today. But at day 31 of the government shutdown, it's nowhere to be found. This morning, we'll unpack what exactly we know about rising prices at a time of tariffs. And later, is 9 to 5 looking more like 7 to 7? We'll learn about the rise of the work trend known as "microshifting."

With Trump back in D.C., business talks in South Korea continue Oct 31, 2025

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From the BBC World Service: Chinese President Xi Jinping told leaders attending the APEC summit in South Korea of the need to deepen economic cooperation amid global uncertainty. We'll hear the latest on trade agreements between the U.S. and China, as well as other new developments. Then, Jamaica's government issued a catastrophe bond as it begins recovery from Hurricane Melissa. And later, would you spend money on a job search to try to get a leg up?

Bytes: Week in Review - Is AI to blame for this week's wave of layoffs? Oct 31, 2025

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Several major firms announced tens of thousands of job layoffs this week, and some reports are putting the blame on AI. Plus, startup Character.AI says it will ban minors from interacting with its chatbots. Also, Nvidia became the first $5 trillion company. We'll look at what that means. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with regular contributor Natasha Mascarenhas, reporter at The Information, about all these topics on this week’s Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review.

The case of the missing GDP report Oct 30, 2025

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With the government shutdown delaying the Bureau of Economic Analysis' third quarter GDP estimate, economists turn to Fed models and private analysts. The verdict? The estimates vary but generally indicate that growth was positive, crediting business investment and consumer spending. Also in this episode: What private sector data says about the job market, why homebuyers are still waiting on the sidelines, and how banks are managing commercial real estate amid high office vacancy.

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.

How can we build a more resilient labor market? Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

As big companies announce waves of layoffs, lots of workers are worried about AI coming for their jobs. On today’s show, we tune in to part of Kimberly’s recent panel discussion at Aspen Ideas: Economy. President of the AARP Foundation Claire Casey, 1Huddle founder and CEO Sam Caucci, and Union College of Union County New Jersey President Margaret McMenamin share their insights on building a more diverse and resilient labor market in the years ahead. Plus, we hear a listener’s recent win: sewing a historically-accurate dress to sport at the local Renaissance Faire. Nice stitching, Hannah!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"Layoffs are piling up, raising worker anxiety. Here are some companies that have cut jobs recently" from AP News
"Tens of Thousands of White-Collar Jobs Are Disappearing as AI Starts to Bite" from The Wall Street Journal
VIDEO: "Beyond Lip Service: Building a Resilient Labor Market" from Aspen Ideas: Economy

Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

A one-year trade truce Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have pulled U.S.-China relations back from the brink. China says both sides will suspend plans to expand export controls — the U.S. on advanced tech and China on rare earths — and Trump will reduce tariffs on China’s exports by 10%. Plus, Meta stocks are down in the dumps, and the Netherlands is experiencing growing pains in the clean energy transition.

SNAP is "a really important, invisible piece" of the economy Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

If nothing changes before the weekend, most of the 42 million people on food stamps, or SNAP, will not get their November benefits as scheduled. The interruption for people who rely on SNAP to buy food would be significant but could also have broader ripple effects across the economy, as SNAP generates jobs, wages, and taxes. Also: the track record of past New York City rent freezes and the likelihood of future rate cuts this year.

Is the U.S.-China trade war finally cooling off? Oct 30, 2025

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From the BBC World Service: At a long-anticipated meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea and discussed a possible truce in the trade war. What happens now between the world's two largest economies? Then, thousands of homes and businesses in the Netherlands are waiting to connect to the electricity grid, and thousands more are waiting to inject power back into the system. But the grid is struggling to cope with the transition to green energy.

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