Marketplace All-in-One How the economy went "K-shaped"
Oct 31, 2025
Courtney Brown, an Axios reporter specializing in Fed and financial policy, joins economist Katharine Rampell to discuss the emerging 'K-shaped' economy. They reveal how big tech thrives while smaller firms struggle, exacerbating income inequality. With insights into Fed communication challenges and the impacts of policy uncertainty, they emphasize how a growing reliance on wealthy consumers makes the economy fragile. They also touch on innovative farming techniques like agrivoltaics and explore the implications of concentration risks in tech.
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Tariffs Obscure Fed's Policy Signal
- Tariffs complicate the Fed's dual mandate by both raising prices and dragging on employment.
- Katharine Rampell says the Fed is "flying blind" with less reliable data to guide policy.
Fed Meeting Tension Felt In Room
- Courtney Brown describes palpable tension at Powell's press conference as he tried to dissuade markets expecting December cuts.
- She notes a clear split on the FOMC with some officials opposing further cuts.
Dissent Reveals Deeper Fed Divisions
- Dissenting Fed voices matter because they reveal disagreement over which mandate — inflation or employment — to prioritize.
- Rampell warns political pressure could influence Fed personnel and its decisions.