UnitedHealthcare is facing a lawsuit claiming it defrauded shareholders — by denying fewer claims but not warning ahead of time that its profits would decline. The nation’s largest health insurer has been under heightened scrutiny following the killing of its then-CEO in New York late last year. And later: President Donald Trump is expected to announce a trade deal with Britain, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader reflects on the drawbacks of going cashless.
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6:52
A muffin recipe that includes chocolate, blueberries and tariffs
The "Marketplace Morning Report" team is cooking this morning. First, we hear from the CEO and founder of Beyond Good, a company known for its artisanal Madagascar vanilla and chocolate, about how tariffs are stirring up business. We also discover how import duties are riling the U.S. blueberry industry, which has a close relationship with processors and packagers in Canada. But first: why home prices and sizes are going down in some metro areas.
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6:59
The UK is poised for the first tariff deal
From the BBC World Service: President Donald Trump is expected to announce a deal on tariffs with Britain later today. The agreement would be the first since sweeping tariffs were unveiled for dozens of America's trading partners. Plus, remember when a fire near London's Heathrow Airport threw worldwide air travel into chaos a few weeks back? Officials still don't know the cause. And, China is experiencing a shortage of qualified cosmetic surgery practitioners and clinics.
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6:38
It's "Will they?" or "Won't they?" day for the Fed
And it’s looking like they won’t. As the Federal Reserve meets to determine the future of interest rates, don't hold your breath for any rate cuts. We'll give a preview of what to expect and hear about the added pressures the Fed is under given President Donald Trump's trade war. Plus, a handful of companies are responsible for major productivity growth, and Canadian truckers are being hit hard by tariffs.
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7:51
When your bank gets the fire insurance money
A PSA for those whose homes burnt in the LA-area wildfires earlier this year: If the insurance company writes a check, it comes with two names on it — the property owner's and the bank's. But the bank may keep interest earned on that insurance payout. Now, a California assemblyman is trying to change that. We'll check in. Also: China lowers interest rates, and fewer international students come to the States for higher education.
In less than 10 minutes, we'll get you up to speed on all the news you missed overnight. Throughout the morning, Marketplace's David Brancaccio will bring you the latest business and economic stories you need to know to start your day. And before U.S. markets open, you'll get a global markets update from the BBC World Service in London.
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