Trump's Second TermThe Age of WorkLos Angeles WildfiresI've Always Wondered ...

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Justin Ho

Reporter

SHORT BIO

Justin is a reporter for Marketplace. He’s based in Southern California.

Justin focuses on small business, banking and supply chain news. He has also hosted the Closing Bell edition of the “Marketplace Minute,” a daily news roundup, and has worked as the show producer of the “Marketplace Morning Report.” He started working at Marketplace in 2011.

Justin spends a lot of his downtime mountain biking, surf fishing and grappling with decision paralysis over which bike parts and fishing gear to buy next.

Episodes by Justin (167)

 

Mercedes-Benz workers reject unionization

May 17, 2024
 

Import prices pick up in April

May 16, 2024
 

Core inflation cools to three-year low 

May 15, 2024
 

Producer prices rise in April 

May 14, 2024
 

Consumer inflation expectations pick up in April

May 13, 2024
 

Consumer sentiment declines in May

May 10, 2024
 

Mortgage rates tick down

May 9, 2024
 

Wholesale inventories tick down

May 8, 2024
 

Logistics sector slows in April

May 7, 2024
 

Job satisfaction shows signs of slipping

May 6, 2024

Latest Stories (754)

Consumers are still strong, despite rising debt delinquencies

by Justin Ho
Jan 22, 2025
Though many households are faltering on credit card and auto loan payments, wealthier Americans are keeping the spending metrics robust.
Wealthier consumers are lifting the U.S. economy's healthy spending metrics.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
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Los Angeles Wildfires

As the rebuilding effort begins, builders will be up against a costly construction market

by Justin Ho
Jan 22, 2025
The home construction market has already been dealing with shortages of skilled labor and building materials, along with expensive construction loans. Those factors will add to the costs of rebuilding communities destroyed by fires.
Two people embrace as they survey the damage to a family member's property. The California wildfires have destroyed more than 12,000 structures.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Recent economic data made murky by ups and downs of real world

by Justin Ho
Jan 20, 2025
Tariffs, major weather events and even political bias have obscured trends and challenged experts to figure out the takeaways.
Factors like unusually destructive weather events and the presidential election have muddied economic reports in the past few months.
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
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Housing starts jumped in December

by Justin Ho
Jan 17, 2025
Multifamily housing was a big part of the increase. But there is still high demand for single-family homes.
There's still plenty of demand for single-family homes despite high prices and mortgage rates.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
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As trade tensions escalate, here’s what’s inside China’s trade war playbook

by Justin Ho
Jan 16, 2025
China has had years to figure out how to best respond to U.S. tariffs. That means it’s developed plenty of strategies to respond to any new tariffs during Trump’s second term.
China may not want to escalate the trade war too much because it could make it more difficult to attract foreign investment.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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When disasters like the California wildfires strike, what options do property loan borrowers have?

by Justin Ho
Jan 13, 2025
It's often in the interest of lenders themselves to work with borrowers and provide options for repaying the loans.
In the aftermath of natural disasters, insurance premiums often rise. For homeowners, that can make it hard to keep up with mortgage payments.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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How some small businesses make the most of leasing their premises

by Justin Ho
Jan 6, 2025
For small businesses, owning a physical location often isn’t an option. But business owners can use a few strategies to make the most of renting.
Even if they don't own property, some small business owners are spending on renovations to their leased property. In some cases, significant renovations can be used as leverage to save on rent.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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How much can Americans spend? Check the money supply.

by Justin Ho
Dec 26, 2024
M1 and M2 figure into consumption and inflation and can be used as a policy lever by the Federal Reserve.
The M2 hit almost $21.5 trillion last month, as reported by the Federal Reserve. Above, Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
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Businesses' inventory levels are lean again. Tariffs could change that.

by Justin Ho
Dec 25, 2024
Trump trade proposals may spur early purchasing, considering that companies know consumers will balk at escalating surcharges on imported goods.
The last time businesses stocked up on inventory, warehousing was cheaper and interest rates were lower. Now, higher costs could make buying extra product too expensive for some retailers.
Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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If interest rates stay up in 2025, some industries may take a hit

by Justin Ho
Dec 18, 2024
Construction is dependent on moderate interest rates. Restaurants are affected when consumer borrowing costs rise.
Construction is very sensitive to the fluctuations of interest rates.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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