The Consumer Shock From Tariffs Isn't Over. When Will Prices Peak?

About this episode

The episode discusses the K-shaped economy and its impact on consumer sentiment and economic growth, featuring insights from economist Frances Donald.

In this week's episode of WSJ’s Take On the Week, co-hosts Miriam Gottfried and Telis Demos are joined by Frances Donald, chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada, to break down the K-shaped economy, where different groups are thriving financially while others struggle. They ask: How could Walmart hit a trillion-dollar market capitalization despite consumer sentiment near record lows? Next, Donald analyzes what could be hiding the true health of the American household, from front-loading purchases ahead of potential tariffs to buy now, pay later programs. After the break, Donald explains how the U.S. can sustain growth despite a massive wave of Boomer retirements. Then Donald breaks down why AI may no longer be a threat to the workforce but a necessary rescue for a shrinking labor pool. This is WSJ’s Take On the Week where co-hosts Telis Demos, Heard on the Street’s banking and money columnist, and Miriam Gottfried, WSJ’s investing and wealth management reporter, cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy and finance—the big trades, key players and business news ahead. Have an idea for a future guest or episode? How can we better help you take on the week? We’d love…

People in this episode

Hosts: Miriam Gottfried, Telis Demos

Guest: Frances Donald

Topics covered

• K-shaped economy
• consumer sentiment
• tariffs
• AI and workforce
• Boomer retirements
• economic growth

Keywords

• tariffs
• consumer sentiment
• K-shaped economy
• AI
• Boomer retirements
• Walmart
• economic growth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Royal Bank of Canada, Walmart

Places: United States

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