Marketplace Morning Report

Apple, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Microsoft and Amazon are reporting earnings this week, and they are all beneficiaries of a jump on corporate spending on IT. We’ll look at what companies are buying, and why. New York City and cities in California now have vaccination requirements for their respective workforces. We also take a look at where Chinese stocks stand.

From the BBC World Service: A third-straight day of losses across Asia stock markets amid Chinese regulatory crackdown. Plus: The most senior Roman Catholic official at the Vatican has gone on trial charged with financial crimes. And, a look at the meeting agenda as officials from the U.S. and India prepare to sit down for talks.

China’s recently passed anti-foreign sanctions law carries a variety of potential effects for American businesses. We dive into what the law means. The Federal Open Market Committee starts a two-day meeting on interest rate policy. Also, PayPal is partnering with the Anti-Defamation League to help curb the activities of radical hate groups.

Camden County in Georgia has wanted a spaceport license for years. That sparks concerns for the residents of the Little Cumberland Island, who say the potential rocket launches over their community could have negative impacts. Julia Coronado drops in to talk about the markets, and we also look into how appliances are becoming harder to acquire for new home builders.

Payment mishaps and issues with trying to opt out are among several struggles that have impacted people expecting child tax credit payments. Some fear the cash advance will actually add to their tax burden. The BBC checks in on the how a wave of regulation has impacted Chinese stocks. We also look into the availability of Section 8 housing vouchers.

From the BBC World Service: Another wave of regulatory crackdowns from Beijing, this time on tutoring companies, sent Hong Kong’s benchmark stock index down more than 4% today. Plus: Australia won’t tolerate anti-lockdown protests as the COVID-19 Delta variant surges. And, how vaccinators are making progress in remote parts of India.

Only about 6.5% of the roughly $50 billion Congress set aside for rent relief as actually gone out to the masses as the federal eviction moratorium ending date gets closer. What’s the holdup? We also look at how businesses are handling the return of indoor masking in Los Angeles County. We also peek into the financial cost of hosting the Olympics.

Skateboarding, surfing, karate and sports climbing are making their Olympic debuts in Tokyo, and all of them could benefit from a bit of Olympic exposure. We also talk about a bill in the Senate that would hold social media companies legally accountable for health misinformation on their sites. In Britain, a COVID-focused smartphone app has led to a “pingdemic.” The BBC explains.

From the BBC World Service: India’s food-delivery startup, Zomato, soared in its public debut in Mumbai. Plus, fresh restrictions on the way for Italians as the government tries to curb infection rates. And, how the “pingdemic” is wrecking havoc on staffing across a range of industries in England.

The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits rose 14% – that’s 419,000 new applications – in the past week. Diane Swonk drops in to discuss how this figure can actually spotlight issues within systems at the state and local level. We also report on the FTC tackling consumers’ rights to repair their own equipment. Then, we have the second part of our talk with “Summer of Soul” producers Robert Fyvolent and Joseph Patel about their documentary chronicling the Harlem Cultural...

We spoke with the producers of “Summer of Soul” on why the music festival that was also known as “Black Woodstock” appeared to be buried in history, and what it took to finally bring it into the spotlight. We also discuss how idyllic vacation towns have dealt with the surge in popularity for vacation homes.

From the BBC World Service: Organizers of Tokyo 2020 say they’re now reassessing how to hold the opening show. While the delayed games and gala ceremony have been scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can Japan recoup any of the money it’s spent on stadiums and other infrastructure? Plus, as heavy rains continue, the Chinese government orders an urgent evaluation of flood control and emergency measures on urban transit networks. And South Africa’s BioVac will produce the first Pfizer...

California regulations have farms lower their greenhouse gas emissions, which has led to new tech that helps siphon off methane gas (which comes from cow manure) from the state’s dairies. Also today, we report on how many Americans don’t have emergency savings. We also talk to Lindsey Piegza of Stifel International about stimulus money coming to households with children.

If you know 14-year-old in the market for a tiny electric car that can be purchased at an electronics store and boasts a top speed of 28 miles per hour, France has something for you. We also discuss the infrastructure vote that’s supposed to happen today, as well as the concept of “shrinkflation” – yes, it’s a thing and it has to do with how manufacturers deal with rising costs.

From the BBC World Service: A “thousand-year storm!” has caused widespread damage across China’s Henan province, home to millions of people and big business. Plus: Protests in France over new measures requiring COVID-19 vaccine or test results before visiting museums, theme parks, or movie theaters. And: Threats of Christmas disruption if part of the U.K. and E.U. Brexit arrangements aren’t worked out.

While the numbers on the construction of new homes are much stronger than they were last year, a labor shortage and material costs have proven to be ever-present obstacles. Michael Hewson drops in to talk about the markets one day after Monday’s swoon, and we also discuss the Biden administration’s ramping up of penalties for hospitals who won’t publish what they charge.

It was once thought that libraries as we knew them would eventually disappear as the digital economy grew. That’s not the case, as senior economics contributor Chris Farrell stops in to tell us that not only are libraries still relevant – they are still strong pillars of the communities they inhabit. We also hear about markets from the BBC after a volatile Monday, and we also look into how Maine and California are offering free meals to public school students. The story about free lunch for...

From the BBC World Service: Israel has warned the boss of food giant Unilever of “severe consequences” after Ben & Jerry’s announced it is to stop selling its ice cream products in the Palestinian territories under Israeli control. A company statement said to do so would be inconsistent with the brand’s values. Plus, global stocks take a breather after their worst sessions of the year Monday over supply chain concerns linked to the COVID-19 delta variant. And, with only 5% of people in India...

Many of Dollar General’s more than 17,000 stores are located in rural communities, which could give us an idea of what the discount chain’s health care role could be in those areas. Also, Julia Coronado drops in to discuss how delta variant concerns have affected the market.

From the BBC World Service: As England eases its main pandemic restrictions, mask wearing, capacity limits, and most social distancing are no longer legal requirements. Business owners are trying to work out which limits they want to keep in place. Plus, why Toyota is canceling its Olympic TV ads in Japan and executives won’t attend the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony. And, volunteers in Germany are playing a key role in flood relief efforts.