Why a K-Shaped US Economy Is Raising Red Flags
Big Take10 Nov 2025

Why a K-Shaped US Economy Is Raising Red Flags

The US economy appears remarkably resilient right now, but if you look closer, you’ll see a different picture emerge: a growing divide between America’s wealthiest consumers and everyone else. Economists call this kind of bifurcated economy “K-shaped.” And as the top and bottom of the K have diverged, the overall economy has also become more top-heavy and more fragile.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder is joined by Peter Atwater – the economist who popularized the idea of a “K-shaped economy” during the pandemic – and Bloomberg reporter Catarina Saraiva, who covers the federal reserve and labor market. They examine why this gap is widening, how it’s showing up in company earnings reports and what it means for the country’s overall financial health.

Read more: ‘Jenga Tower’ US Economy Teeters as Middle Class Pulls Back Spending

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(852)

A Judge Ruled Google Monopolized Search. Then Came AI

A Judge Ruled Google Monopolized Search. Then Came AI

On Tuesday, a federal judge reached a decision in a landmark antitrust case against Google and its monopoly over online search. But the company avoided the most severe outcomes after the judge decided...

5 Sep 202517min

Can a Smaller HUD Fix the Housing Crisis?

Can a Smaller HUD Fix the Housing Crisis?

America is in the midst of a historic housing crisis, with record homelessness levels and a nationwide shortage of affordable housing. Addressing this crisis is the purview of the Department of Housin...

4 Sep 202518min

Why Long-Term Bond Yields Are Up in the US, UK and Japan

Why Long-Term Bond Yields Are Up in the US, UK and Japan

A global selloff in long-dated bonds — including 30-year UK gilts, US Treasuries and Japanese government bonds — has deepened. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura, Bloomberg Economics’ Jamie ...

3 Sep 202518min

What Xi Jinping’s Military Purge Means for China and the World

What Xi Jinping’s Military Purge Means for China and the World

Beijing is holding its first military parade since 2019, showcasing the strength of China’s armed forces. Underneath the show of power, a Bloomberg investigation has found President Xi Jinping is orch...

2 Sep 202516min

The Crises Vying for Dwindling Foreign Aid

The Crises Vying for Dwindling Foreign Aid

The dismantling of USAID is contributing to a 17% drop in foreign aid this year. That’s put some of the world’s worst conflicts in competition with each other for attention and resources. On today’s e...

1 Sep 202516min

The Latest Science on Extreme Heat: How Hot Is Too Hot?

The Latest Science on Extreme Heat: How Hot Is Too Hot?

Nearly half a million people die every year as a result of extreme heat. That’s more than the total from hurricanes, earthquakes and floods combined. And as the planet warms the risk of deadly heat is...

29 Aug 202513min

Taylor Swift Wedding Predictions Are the Hottest New Trade

Taylor Swift Wedding Predictions Are the Hottest New Trade

Gamblers on prediction sites like Polymarket and Kalshi are already trying to cash in on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement — betting on everything from their wedding timeline to her next sing...

28 Aug 202515min

Trump Has a Shipbuilding Dream. Can South Korea Make It a Reality?

Trump Has a Shipbuilding Dream. Can South Korea Make It a Reality?

South Korean shipyards are busier than they’ve been in years. Seoul and Washington are working to finalize a new trade deal that will include a $150 billion commitment to help stimulate the US shipbui...

27 Aug 202516min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
i-retten
stopp-verden
popradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-gukild-johaug
nokon-ma-ga
fotballpodden-2
det-store-bildet
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-ness
aftenbla-bla
hanna-de-heldige
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-dannet-uten-piano
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-utenrikskomiteen-med-bogen-og-grasvik