Money Talking

The largest fast-food company in the world -- with about 24,000 stores -- was once known for its rapid expansion mindset. Now, Subway is closing stores faster than ever and pushing out franchise owners in the process. In a recent report by the New York Times, franchisees across the country said that seemingly tiny violations, like[...]

Next week marks fifty years since Neil Armstrong took “one small step” on the moon’s surface. The Apollo 11 mission was an historic voyage, fulfilling President John F. Kennedy’s goal of reaching the moon by the end of the 1960s. More than half a billion people watched the astronauts live on television. But in the years that[...]

This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the birth of the modern gay rights movement in this country. Over the intervening years as attitudes towards LGBTQ people have changed, corporate America has taken note. Whether it's McDonald's selling special-edition “Pride Fries” or Walmart’s (online) Pride Shop, companies have very publicly been displaying[...]

How a little known group of business leaders is influencing the administration's policies on trade, business and the economy.

Since its opening in 1907, the story of the hotel has been the story of New York: a history littered with colorful guests, financial uncertainty, and a controversial transformation.

With just a few weeks left in the New York State legislative session, the future of rent regulations is still uncertain.

The president has effectively banned U.S. companies from doing business with the Chinese telecom giant. What it means for national security, trade, our phones, and more.

A three-foot tall, stainless steel rabbit by Jeff Koons set the art world abuzz after selling for a record $91.1 million at auction. What does it tell us about the economy?

President Donald Trump has stymied hopes of a trade deal by raising tariffs on Chinese goods. In retaliation, China put additional tariffs on U.S. goods, causing the stock market to plunge that day. The Trump administration responded to that by taking steps to implement tariffs on even more Chinese products. So, who’s winning the trade[...]

Recent financial reports filed by the 2020 presidential candidates show vastly different amounts of money raised in varying amounts from many different sources. Some candidates are focusing on small donors, others are turning to high-dollar bundlers and some are dipping into their own bank accounts. For example, Senator Elizabeth Warren raised raised $6 million in three months[...]

After months and months of speculation, former Vice President Joe Biden announced he’d be running for president in 2020. Already an early frontrunner, Biden joins a crowded field of potential Democratic nominees. There are now more than 20 candidates running, from policy wonk Elizabeth Warren to newcomer Pete Buttigieg to 2016 veteran Bernie Sanders. The[...]

"Avengers: Endgame" is officially opened at movie theaters across the country. It’s the most highly-anticipated movie event of the year and is expected to set a new box office record. Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, and the whole Avengers crew are back to do battle with super villain Thanos after he wiped away half of the universe’s[...]

Uber has taken its first steps to becoming a publicly traded company, following rival Lyft’s debut on the stock market last month. The initial filing from Uber reveals even more extensive details about the company's revenue, ridership and potential roadblocks. The good? Ridership is up and Uber is expanding its food delivery service. The bad?[...]

Much of the way influential consulting firm McKinsey & Co. operates is shrouded in secrecy. But recent reporting by the New York Times has revealed some of the company’s secrets, including its involvement with controversial companies like Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, as well as foreign leaders and governments in Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Additional stories have focused on[...]

New York City just became the first city in the country to implement congestion pricing. As part of the effort to ease traffic and raise money to fix public transportation, drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street could pay between $10 and $15 per day for cars and possibly double for trucks. But how the system[...]

Advertising has become a big business for Big Tech—and it keeps getting bigger. Google now controls a whopping 91 percent of the search advertising market. The tech giant’s monopoly means it’s almost impossible for businesses not to advertise with Google. That’s especially true if you’re a company that exists entirely online, like the ride-sharing app[...]

It’s been nearly three years since a majority of people in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. One of the arguments made by many Brexit supporters was to “take back control.” Lately, however, the opposite has been true as the process spirals out of control. Britain was on track to leave the E.U. one week from today, but[...]

Hudson Yards is officially open to the public. What was once the site of warehouses, tenements, and rail yards is now home to the largest development in New York City since Rockefeller Center. From the initial idea to the opening this week, it’s taken nearly 20 years— and $25 billion — to create the sprawling[...]

It’s been about eight months since President Trump launched a trade war with China, and it looks like we might be approaching an agreement between the two nations. Trump says that trade relationship with China has been unfair to the U.S. To force a change, he’s put in place punishing tariffs on Chinese goods to[...]

If you're depending on a tax refund this year to pay loans, make a down payment on a car or take a vacation, you might be out of luck. According to the IRS, average refunds have been lower compared last year. If the trend continues, many Americans will end up with a smaller refund or worse — they[...]

This week, a report from the House Oversight Committee revealed that officials in the Trump administration pursued a plan to export nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia in order to build nuclear power plants. The report from House Democrats says the deal gained momentum during President Trump’s first days in office with help from then-national security[...]

5G is coming to a wireless network near you. But what exactly is it? And what has to happen before it completely replaces 4G?

The rise and fall of a retail giant. 

WeWork has big ambitions, but does anyone really know what it is? 

The battle over Brexit is getting more dire. What's holding everything up, and what are the implications?

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has a bold vision for the future. Are we ready for it?

Can automated trading be blamed for Wall Street's wild swings?

The New York bank has been criminally charged by Malaysian prosecutors for its involvement in the disappearance of billions of dollars from an investment fund.

In his new book, technology law expert Tim Wu argues the biggest companies, like Facebook and Google, are dangerously large,  and that's bad for business and democracy.

A board member at the Whitney Museum and his ties to the recent clash at the U.S.-Mexico border raise questions about the role of money, donors and funding for the arts.

The president will meet with China's leader in Argentina this weekend. What will it mean for trade between the two countries?

The city and state have made up to $3 billion in tax credits, abatements and cash grants available to the online giant. 

Democrats will now have control over powerful committees in the House, which could challenge the Trump administration's approach to banking, spending and trade.

Will a month of turbulent markets and huge losses affect voters ahead of the midterm elections?

The American dollar has ruled the global economy as the top currency for decades. Could a change be coming? 

After the disappearance of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, U.S. ties to Saudi Arabia have come under increased scrutiny, including those of the President.

The Seattle-based company has said it will decide on its second North American headquarters by year's end.

A new investigation by Forbes magazine finds the president's net worth has dropped significantly since he took office.

In a rare bipartisan move, the House and Senate unanimously pass the Music Modernization Act which will update copyright rules and create a new licensing system.

This election season, more Democrats are backing a single-payer health care bill. But how realistic is the plan?

Ten years after the start of the Great Recession, a new book looks at how American fracking is changing the global economy.

Facebook and Twitter executives testify on Capitol Hill as lawmakers consider ways to regulate the companies. What, exactly, might they do? 

C.E.O. Elon Musk may face serious consequences for a single tweet that sent investors and reporters scrambling.

Ahead of the midterm election, Republicans are hoping a strong economy will help them keep control of Congress. But will it be enough in November?

Ten years before the 2008 financial crisis, there was another one: Long-Term Capital Management. The lessons not learned and why it matters today (hint, it involves Russia).

Women and men enter the workforce in equal numbers, but only less than five percent of the top 500 companies in the U.S. are led by women.

Legal marijuana is already bringing in huge revenues, but hurdles exist as it's still illegal at the federal level. How the industry operates and who’s cashing in.

The Trump administration is expected to announce a dramatic rollback of fuel economy standards for vehicles. What does it mean for carbon emissions, and why are automakers anxious?

Jerome Powell has only been serving as Chairman of the Federal Reserve since February, but he's already having to contend with some unusual circumstances. This week, he appeared before Congress to speak about the state of the economy. Lawmakers wanted to know what America’s top central banker thinks about President Trump's steadily escalating trade war. Since January, Trump has imposed or[...]

This week Trump announced his nominee for Supreme Court and people are scrambling to figure out where he stands on the most important issues. One of those is healthcare. On this episode of Money Talking, the ever-changing future for the Affordable Care Act. How might Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh rule, even as the Trump[...]

The status of the "yield curve" — a historically accurate predictor of upcoming recession — is starting to worry Wall Street. What is it? We get answers.

Amid the often confusing news about economic policies and trade, we break down how it's affecting prices, companies and American workers.

The Commerce Secretary is at the center of the Trump administration’s talks on trade and tariffs. A new report reveals ties between foreign businesses and his personal fortune.

App-controlled, dockless scooters have swept the West Coast and raked in millions of dollars from investors. Where do they go next?

At one time, the retail giant used to rule the toy market. Now, it's bankrupt, liquidating stores and laying off workers. What happened? 

A new book details how the Silicon Valley blood-testing company Theranos and its charismatic founder Elizabeth Holmes had an irresistible pitch, but no technology to back it up.

From small farms to car factories, the president's economic policies are having an effect. How will they influence voters during the primary season?

Following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down a federal ban on betting, how will the business of sports change — and expand?

Donald Trump once boasted he makes deals with other people's money. But a new report shows his company made a slew of all-cash deals in the run-up to the presidential election.

The Trump administration is allowing an investor protection rule from the Obama era to lapse. What's next?

Can new C.E.O Dara Khosrowshahi correct the course of the embattled ride-share company?

An investigation into sexual harassment cases handled by the body that oversees workplace misconduct of securities brokers found a troubling track record.

Elon Musk's SpaceX launched his red Tesla Roadster into space. But it was more than just a stunt. The big deal about the "new space race."

It owns nearly 200 local television stations and wants to buy even more. That could get complicated after the company mandated local anchors read a statement against "fake news."

The 'FAANGs" — Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google — have been investor darlings for years. But amid bad news, the sector has been taking a dive. Are new regulations next?

A new play at the Public Theater explores Adam Smith's "invisible hand" and the dark side of laissez-faire capitalism. Trust us, it's a comedy! An interview with the play's author, Bruce Norris.

The Department of Justice under President Trump is fighting the $85 billion deal with a lawsuit citing threats to competition and higher prices. The trial is set to begin next week.

Trade Wars: Return of the Tariffs

The company is growing and signing up more listeners, but Spotify is still losing money. Now, it's planning to go public. What does it mean for artists, the industry and listeners?

In some instances, corporate executives feel compelled to get involved in hot-button political issues. Could gun control be next?

Big changes are coming to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, under interim head Mick Mulvaney. He once called the agency a "sick, sad" joke. 

Where is the line between the Trump White House and the Trump presidency?

With an insider trading scandal behind him, Steven Cohen is looking to return to the hedge fund world and work with clients again. What does his return say about Wall Street today?

President Trump's appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland will set the tone for an important year in global trade decisions for the U.S.

This year, some banks expect to pay an effective tax rate of less than 20 percent under the recently passed Republican tax plan, down from 35 percent.

With partisanship running high in Congress, will lawmakers pass a final budget before short-term funding expires on January 19? Or will they punt the issue to a later date? 

They're setting record prices and getting a lot of scrutiny. So is now the time you should start paying more attention? New York Times digital currency writer Nathanial Popper explains.

The Republican tax bill could make the recovery on the island even more challenging.

House and Senate Republicans have reached a deal on a major tax bill, and are expecting a final vote next week. What's at stake for taxpayers? 

After the 2008 recession, income inequality has only grown along with the obsession for money and status. "Generation Wealth" by Lauren Greenfield examines what it says our society.

As more men are getting accused of sexual harassment, companies are scrambling to find effective prevention strategies. 

The House passed the Republican tax reform bill and now it's up to the Senate to vote on its version. One industry that stands to benefit from both versions of tax reform: Wall Street.

Tech companies are under attack for their role in Russian political interference in the 2016 election. But it's bigger than that. Do these companies need more oversight?

In his play, "Junk," Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Ahktar shows how influential the decisions made on Wall Street in the 1980s have been on modern finance. 

The Sacklers are one of the richest families in America. A significant part of that wealth comes from the family business, Purdue Pharma, maker of the painkiller, OxyContin.

Thirty years ago, the Dow Jones fell more than 22%, the worst one-day percentage drop in history. What lessons can we learn about investing today? 

Today is the 30th anniversary of "Black Monday," the worst percentage drop in the history of the Dow Jones. What the response says about today’s financial system.

This week marks the 30th anniversary of "Black Monday," one of the worst days in Wall Street history. What caused the crash and could it happen again? 

This week marks the 30th anniversary of "Black Monday," one of the worst days in Wall Street history. What was it like on October 19, 1987, and what does it tell us about today?

Business leaders and government officials are tripping over themselves trying to convince Amazon to locate their newest headquarters in their cities.

Hurricane Maria left Puerto Ricans without water, power and food. But even before the storm, residents were struggling with more than $70 billion in debt. How will the recovery proceed? 

This week, federal prosecutors hit the world of college basketball with allegations of bribery, corruption and fraud. Is this just the tip of the iceberg?

Facebook is under fire for selling ads to entities connected to Russia. It's not the only issue confronting the company. How will users, politicians and Mark Zuckerberg react?

Mayor Bill de Blasio came to office pledging to fight the "Tale of Two Cities" inequality of New York City. Over the past four years, the economy is doing better. Can he take credit?

The President has been criticized by some for not fulfilling his agenda, but he has been busy, at least when it comes to reversing the actions of previous presidents.

Every time a restaurant closes, another one opens. Or so it might seem. So, is the industry thriving or struggling?

Since the spring, the Trump administration has made big promises to reform the tax code. As some of the proposals are disclosed, who will benefit and how will it be paid for?

President Trump has disbanded his CEO advisory councils, but many former execs are still part of an administration that's been mostly friendly to big business. 

More college students are taking on more debt, and paying it all off will impact their lives, and the U.S. economy, for years to come. What are the solutions? 

After the failure by Republicans to replace or repeal Obamacare, they're moving quickly to score a political win, and they're focusing on overhauling the nation's tax code by November. There's a lot do in a little amount of time, and even Trump's legislative director has admitted it's  an aggressive schedule. But that is just one[...]

How details about the investigations into Russia’s interference in the U.S. presidential election suggest financial motives as well as political ones.

President Trump is looking to make good on his “America First” pledge by launching “Made in America” week. The plan is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. But what do his family's business practices say about what it would take to do that?

Martin Shkreli is often described as the “most hated man in America” for raising the price of a lifesaving drug by 5,000%. Now, he’s on trial for securities fraud. WNYC’s Money Talking looks at Shkreli’s case and what it says about the prosecution of white collar crimes.

As President Trump sits down with global leaders this week, he’s also reportedly considering slapping a tariff on steel imported into the US. Could this spark a global trade war?

Republicans are united in their opposition to Obamacare, yet they're finding it difficult to repeal and replace the law. So what happens if Obamacare is here to stay?

Travis Kalanick’s resignation this week as CEO of Uber marks the end of one tumultuous ride for the company. What's next for the app that dreamed of changing the face of transportation?

The Trump administration is proposing to revise and change financial regulations put in place after the Great Recession. House Republicans want to go even further.

While FBI Director James Comey led the headlines this week, President Donald Trump spent his time promoting his infrastructure plan and how he'll pay for it with private investments.

Last month, the Trump administration secured a $110 million dollar agreement to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia. Around the same time, the CEO of Blackstone, Stephen Schwarzman secured a $20 billion investment from that country for his company’s new U.S. infrastructure fund. The blurry lines between business and government in the Trump administration.

What you find when you dig into the world of Donald Trump and Jared Kushner’s businesses, pension funds, and big-time political fundraisers.

This week, executives from major TV networks are in New York to promote their shows to advertisers and the media. Its known as the "upfronts." Advertisers are expected to shell out billions, even as network TV ratings are falling. What's the future of broadcast TV?

Like many retailers, J. Crew is fighting a mighty foe — the Internet.

French citizens will chose between independent centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen.

Many presidents before him have tried — and failed — to enact tax reform. For his plan to succeed, there's going to be negotiations.

Sure, it's an arbitrary number, but it's become a way to assess a new President's early successes, failures and leadership style. So, like Mayor Koch used to say, "How am I doin'?"

What happens when giants like Macy’s, Sears and J.C. Penney close hundreds of shops, leaving empty shopping malls throughout the country.

With the deadline for high school seniors to pick a college approaching, students — and their parents — are considering how to pay for the financial burden of higher education. 

While the attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare failed, legislators could still make it hard for the healthcare law to survive. What will that mean for the insured?

Before becoming an advisor to President Trump, his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, made a name for himself in Manhattan real estate by purchasing a $1.8 billion skyscraper on Fifth Avenue. Now a Chinese company with possible connections to the Chinese government is reportedly considering investing in the building, now owned by Kushner’s family.

The President and his supporters have been dismissing government statistics they disagree with, opening the doors for future attacks on independent agencies and their numbers.

Wall Street seems unfazed by the issues that have surfaced in the Trump administration — but even as stocks reach record highs, should Americans brace for a drop?

From claims of sexual harassment to allegations it stole self-driving technology, the company and its CEO are having a tough couple of months.  

Many Republicans spent years fighting financial regulations put in place after the 2008 recession. Now that President Trump is in charge, they’re trying to roll back many of the rules. 

With a repeal of Obamacare slowing down and a trillion dollar infrastructure plan up in the air, tax reform might the promise Donald Trump can make good on this year.

There's a new boss at the FCC who might be taking a "less is more" approach to regulating telecoms. And that has many consumer advocates worried.

Two weeks into the Trump presidency and U.S. business leaders are already coming under fire for criticizing — and for staying silent —about the new administration's proposals. But, should they chime in?

The president is promising to help American workers by taking aim at international trade agreements — but rising technology may be a bigger threat.

With confirmation hearings nearing an end, a look at what they revealed about the men Donald Trump has picked to run the country’s finances.

A look at the economic successes and failures of the Obama Administration, eights years after inheriting one of the country's worst recessions.

The bank says there's "considerable uncertainty" figuring out how Trump's economic agenda will affect the economy. Is it headed for a possible collision with the new President?

From Brexit to the soaring stock market, to the growing pains of Obamacare — here's a look at the some of the biggest business and economic trends of 2016, and what’s in store for 2017.

The e-commerce giant unveiled plans for a self-service, brick and mortar grocery store, disrupting the retail world once again.

Whether it's reports that the Secret Service might rent office space from Trump Towers in Manhattan, or Donald Trump suing Washington, D.C. to lower taxes on his new hotel, the president-elect has a great deal of business conflicts to resolve before entering the White House. But if Trump doesn't keep his promise to sever all business ties, he risks setting an ethically ambiguous[...]

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump attacked Wall Street and in turn, Wall Street gave him little support. But now, bankers and financiers are warming up to the president-elect.

President-elect Donald Trump is calling for swift action to enact his plans for growth. Since Congress is also controlled by Republicans, it could signal a busy start to 2017. Ending regulations put in place by the Obama administration; reforming the tax code; investing in infrastructure projects; revising trade deals; appointing new members to the Federal Reserve;[...]

Airbnb continues to butt heads with legislators in New York and is facing new restrictions. But Uber, which was also met with hostility at first, seems to be thriving.

If you go by the latest headlines, it seems like the future of the Affordable Care Act could be in jeopardy. Are things that bad? 

It might be impossible to get through this seemingly eternal election cycle without bringing up politics at work. But is it really a good idea? Should you? And what do you do if you find out you disagree with your coworkers? Navigating this year's presidential election when it comes up at work.

A look at what Clinton may have said to bankers and financiers behind closed doors.

Because specifics can be hard to come by during debates or on the campaign trail, a closer look at what each candidate is proposing and how it could affect you.

Amazon's got Echo. Apple has Siri. Microsoft calls it Cortana. And Google has Assistant. They're all fighting to be a part of your life, on your phone and in your home.

The bank's CEO faced a second round of criticism on Capitol Hill, trying to explain why thousands of his former employees were accused of illegal banking practices.

Legislators across the country are trying to regulate companies like Airbnb, but a law passed 20 years ago is making it tough.

The qualities of exceptional workplace leaders. Do you have them? How can you get them?

Another bank in the headlines, paying millions of dollars in fines to settle charges of illegal banking practices.

Skyscrapers tower once again over Lower Manhattan and the neighborhood is thriving. Getting there, however, wasn't easy.

Once you've finally come up with that brilliant idea, here's a way to get people excited about it.

Union membership has been dwindling for decades, putting the future of organized labor into question and affecting the country's labor-force as a whole.

Wait? Why does this drug cost so much? The pharmaceutical company Mylan struggles to explain why the price of its anti-allergy shot has gone up hundreds of dollars in less than a decade.

Health insurers like Aetna are pulling out of a large number of health care exchanges because they can't front the losses, casting doubts about the future of the Affordable Care Act.