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

Steady GDP growth sets US apart from peer countries

Feb 28, 2024
The U.S. economy has been growing at a steady clip while many others are faltering.
Despite interest rate hikes to combat inflation, the U.S. economy has grown for six quarters in a row.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

This might be the economy that liberals wanted, but do most voters feel the same?

Feb 27, 2024
If people don’t feel the strength of the economy, Democrats may have a problem this election season, says Victoria Guida at Politico.
President Biden has low approval ratings despite vigorous economic growth, low unemployment and a strong stock market.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

"I think our fear of high inflation is well warranted," Minneapolis Fed president says

Feb 21, 2024
Neel Kashkari weighs in on the state of the economy and what's left to bring inflation down to the Fed's 2% target.
"I do the grocery shopping for my family. I started doing that when the pandemic hit, and I still have sticker shock," says Neel Kashkari, Minneapolis Fed president.
John Lamparski/Getty Images

Want to know where inflation's headed? Look to the producer price index

Feb 20, 2024
It's usually called a measure of wholesale prices, but it can also be a leading indicator that shows where consumer prices are headed.
The cost of hospital outpatient care was up more than 2% last month. Health care costs are included in both the PPI and PCE.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Low inflation doesn't relieve pain of high prices

Feb 15, 2024
Consumers' inflation expectations are falling. But they say the high prices imposed by inflation are still eroding living standards.
A Little Griddle eatery in Portland, Oregon, where co-owner Judd Harris has struggled to balance the prices he pays for supplies with the prices he charges customers.
Mitchell Hartman / Marketplace

Inflation falls, but not as much as expected

Feb 13, 2024
The CPI rose 3.1% in January compared to a year ago.
A major factor in core inflation is shelter costs. But the way the CPI calculates rent lags a bit behind current rent prices.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Labor costs are still going up, but the rate is going down

Feb 1, 2024
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that 2023 saw a pullback in labor cost growth. That may keep the downtrend in inflation going.
The pace of wage growth pulled back last year, which could constrain price increases across the economy in 2024.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Beveridge curve was behind the curve in linking employment, inflation

Feb 1, 2024
A strong job market alongside cooling price gains has economists debating a key model, Bloomberg's Enda Curran reports.
The Beveridge Curve looks at the relationship between unemployment and job openings. Many economists thought joblessness would have to rise for inflation to cool, but recently that hasn't been the case.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

What's the difference between the CPI and the PPI?

Jan 12, 2024
These measures of inflation track the prices consumers pay and the prices producers receive for their wares. But they don't always line up.
CPI and PPI measure different things, so the numbers don't always match up.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Grocery prices rose 1.3% in the past year. How are shoppers feeling it?

Jan 11, 2024
Here's how some families are trying to economize when it comes to the food they buy to make at home.
With grocery prices up, families are finding ways to economize on the food they buy at the store.
Go Nakamura/Getty Images