In July, the manufacturing sector grew at its fastest month-to-month rate in four years. A new tax law likely boosted company spending to some degree, but AI investment packed the biggest punch — demand is strong and the money is flowing. Also in this episode: McDonald’s suffers a sales slump, the latest JOLTS data points to a steadily improving labor market, and Kai talks to one economist behind a Trump administration investment tracker. 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/2026/08/04/manufacturing-sector-benefits-from-ai-buildout" class="default">Manufacturing sector benefits from continued AI demand</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/04/tracking-the-trump-administrations-equity-spending" class="default">Tracking down the Trump administration's $27.6 billion in investments</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/04/job-openings-are-rising-slowly-this-year-heres-why" class="default">Why job openings have been rising slowly this year</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/04/mcdonalds-sales-soften-as-diners-spend-cautiously" class="default">McDonald's sales soften as diners spend cautiously</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/04/how-has-china-drastically-reduced-its-oil-imports" class="default">Where did China's oil imports go?</a></li></ul>

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

Manufacturing boomed in July. Thank all that AI money

Marketplace

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews