Justin Ho

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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)

Marketplace Minute

Mercedes-Benz workers reject unionization

May 17, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Import prices pick up in April

May 16, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Core inflation cools to three-year low

May 15, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Producer prices rise in April

May 14, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Consumer inflation expectations pick up in April

May 13, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Consumer sentiment declines in May

May 10, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Mortgage rates tick down

May 9, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Wholesale inventories tick down

May 8, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Logistics sector slows in April

May 7, 2024

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Marketplace Minute

Job satisfaction shows signs of slipping

May 6, 2024

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Latest Stories (745)

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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Trump's Second Term

Some analysts see inflation lurking in Trump's plans

by Justin Ho

Dec 17, 2024

Tax cuts, tariffs and mass deportations could put upward pressure on prices — and interest rates.

Bond yields could keep rising in 2025 because of Trump's plans for tax cuts and additional tariffs. But can bond yields be too high?

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

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In a sign of optimism, government and corporate bond yields are getting closer

by Justin Ho

Dec 16, 2024

Investors expect a healthy economy and strength in the private sector, which is limiting the rise in corporate bond yields.

In the last few months, corporate bond yields have been rising more slowly than government bond yields, demonstrating confidence in the health of the private sector.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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New regulations will limit bank overdraft fees. Many banks have already done so.

by Justin Ho

Dec 12, 2024

The banking sector has been moving away from charging overdraft fees for a few years now. CFPB scrutiny, along with the broader economy, has made it easier for banks to forgo that overdraft fee income.

Some major banks, like Citibank, have already thrown out overdraft fees entirely.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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What unit labor costs can tell us about where inflation is headed

by Justin Ho

Dec 10, 2024

Unit labor costs are a way to measure productivity relative to workers' compensation.

If compensation is rising way faster than workers’ hourly output, that's a signal more inflation is to come.

Travis Dove/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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Job gains solid in evergreen industries this year, sluggish in cyclical

by Justin Ho

Dec 5, 2024

"Secular" sectors like health care and education, which are less economically sensitive, have been responsible for a lot of hiring.

The Department of Labor will report on the job market Friday, revealing which sectors created the most jobs in November.

J. David Ake/Getty Images

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Layoffs picked up in November as labor market cools down

by Justin Ho

Dec 5, 2024

While layoffs have been low over the last few months, the uptick signals that the labor market may be starting to lose momentum.

It'd likely take a prolonged economic slowdown to spark widespread layoffs, noted Nationwide's Kathy Bostjancic.

pcess609/Getty Images

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For small businesses, owning a building can provide stability in uncertain times

by Justin Ho

Dec 4, 2024

If a business can afford it, owning a physical location can give its owners more flexibility — and plenty of tax advantages.

Businesses that own their buildings reap more tax advantages than homeowners, says Lorilyn Wilson, who owns an accounting business. Above, small shops on Main Street in Seal Beach, California.

Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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Some manufacturers worry about a return of inflation and high rates

by Justin Ho

Dec 2, 2024

High interest rates have held back investment in production. They've eased, but firms are wary of the effects of potential tariffs and tax cuts.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. How the Fed responds to inflation influences corporate and consumer decisions.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Disposable personal income rose at a faster pace in October than the month before

by Justin Ho

Nov 29, 2024

Income growth is continuing to propel the U.S. economy. But whether consumers keep spending into next year could depend on where they are on the income scale.

Rising debt delinquency rates and dwindling savings could put a damper on consumer spending.

Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images

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Justin Ho

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Episodes by Justin (167)

Latest Stories (745)

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