Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

Just how bad is this economic crisis going to get?

Aug 20, 2020
We asked a group of experts in economic history.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Political contributions are soaring like there's no recession

Aug 20, 2020
The pandemic economic downturn doesn't seem to be affecting the people who've already donated almost $3 billion towards the presidential race.
Supporters cheer for President Trump during a campaign rally Yuma International Airport on Aug. 18. The pandemic-induced recession doesn't seem to be slowing down political donations.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Jobless claims rise; job postings fall

Aug 20, 2020
This may be further evidence that the economic recovery is slowing or stalling.
A dealer at work at a casino in Las Vegas in June. Jobs have fallen dramatically in tourism and hospitality.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Franchisee to close up to 300 Pizza Hut locations

Aug 18, 2020
The mostly dine-in restaurants are run by NPC International. Don't worry — 6,700 locations will remain open.
A customer picks up pizzas at a Pizza Hut in Miami on Aug. 17. The chain's largest franchise operator was having financial problems even before the pandemic.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Businesses are taking out fewer bank loans

Aug 14, 2020
It could be a sign that businesses are holding back and that banks are worried about future defaults.
A view of the New York Stock Exchange in 2018.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

City finances are in trouble. Next year could be worse.

Aug 13, 2020
A new report from the National League of Cities finds that local governments are seeing big drops in revenue.
The nearly empty streets of New York City in May. City budgets, which fund local infrastructure and services, have been slammed during the pandemic.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Bankruptcies among larger businesses highest since just after Great Recession

Aug 12, 2020
The situation for small and medium-sized businesses is probably even worse.
A shop closing down soon in Santa Monica, California. More businesses are going bankrupt this year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

How's the jobs recovery? Depends on the sector of the economy.

Aug 7, 2020
Service-sector jobs are coming back, but professionals who've been working from home are facing layoffs.
A waiter serves a customer outdoors at a Maryland restaurant in June. Service-industry jobs saw the biggest comeback in the July jobs report.
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

Accounting in the COVID era is more subjective than ever

Aug 5, 2020
Companies are finding ways to soften the pandemic's blow to their bottom lines.
An empty Wrigley Field in Chicago on what would have been Major League Baseball's opening day. Since Disney didn't air MLB games, it didn't have to count the licensing cost in its financial results.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

One reason why Black-owned businesses have fared worse in the pandemic: weaker banking relationships

Aug 4, 2020
That leaves them restricted access to capital, according to a study by the New York Fed.
A beauty product booth at a Black-owned business expo in Florida. The number of Black business owners in the U.S. fell more than 40% between February and April, according to a New York Fed study.
Octavio Jones/Getty Images