Cattle herds are at a national low not seen since the 1950s. That’s driving up the price of beef for consumers, but it’s also affecting the companies that process cows into steaks and burgers. In this episode, why meatpacking plants are shuttering. Plus: Home Depot stays afloat despite a “frozen” housing market, retailers prepare to release quarterly earnings, and interior design is stuck in a “color recession.” Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters">Subscribe</a> to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/">marketplace.org</a> — and consider <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment">making an investment</a> in our future. Read the stories in today’s episode: <ul><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/18/home-depot-frets-over-the-frozen-housing-market" class="default">Here's why Home Depot calls housing market "frozen"</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/18/retailers-should-be-doing-well-despite-consumer-challenges" class="default">Retailers should be doing well, despite consumer challenges</a></li><li>Despite a slow alcohol retail market, this Wyoming distillery is expanding</li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/18/meatpacking-plants-close-as-us-cattle-herds-shrink" class="default">Meatpacking plants close as U.S. cattle herds shrink to a nearly 75-year low</a></li><li>Is the greige wave here to stay?</li></ul>

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