This Planet Money Indicator segment discusses three economic indicators: Germany's approval of massive new defense spending (requiring a constitutional change), a slowdown in US corporate mergers and acquisitions due to trade war uncertainty, and a surge in gold prices driven by investor fear and uncertainty in global markets. The hosts, Wailin Wong, Mary Childs, and Adrian Ma, each present an indicator, followed by a discussion of its implications. The segment also features a personal reflection from Adrian Ma on his recent loss. The discussion highlights the interconnectedness of geopolitical events, trade policies, and investor behavior, illustrating how these factors influence economic trends. The example of investors fleeing US equities by a record 40 percentage points underscores the current market volatility.
