A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money , The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less. Sign up for our newsletter . Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes for Planet Money and sponsor-free listening for The Indicator.
This podcast episode explores the rise, challenges, and future of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). SPACs became popular during the pandemic as an alternative path to go public, but have faced scrutiny due to their vulnerabilities to fraud and potential for misleading investors. Despite these concerns, exp...
This podcast episode unveils the controversies behind the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), implemented during the economic crisis caused by COVID-19 lockdowns. The program faced criticism due to its reliance on self-certification by businesses, resulting in numerous companies obtaining loans they did not genuinely ne...
This podcast episode proposes a new type of automatic stabilizer: monthly cash payments during recessions, targeted to those in need. These payments would be triggered by the Sahm Rule, an indicator that detects recessions based on unemployment data, and would be adjusted by income. They estimate that the program would...
This podcast episode discusses the surprising surge in hiring by state and local governments, which is challenging the Federal Reserve's efforts to combat inflation. Despite interest rate hikes, government expenditure, which accounts for 36% of GDP, continues to drive job growth, raising concerns about the labor market...
This podcast episode delves into the privacy concerns surrounding the collection and sale of location data by mobile apps and data brokers like X-Mode. Despite the legitimate uses of location data, its misuse has raised concerns, leading app developers like Brian Mueller to prioritize user privacy by removing SDKs and ...
This podcast episode highlights the importance of peacetime economic conversion and shares examples of successful conversion efforts. The key lesson is that shifting from military spending to civilian spending requires a comprehensive plan that includes cuts to military budgets, investments in job training, and the dev...
This podcast episode discusses the challenges that the US military is facing in its supply chain due to the war in Ukraine. The military has been sending large amounts of ammunition to Ukraine, which has depleted its own stocks. The US military is now trying to ramp up production of ammunition, but it will take time to...
This podcast episode delves into the complex relationship between the U.S. government and the defense industry. The government has significant buying power but also faces pressure to keep defense contractors in business. In the 1990s, the government authorized industry consolidation leading to the formation of "Big Fiv...
This podcast episode covers the economic troubles in China and contrasts it with the strong economic growth in the US. The Chinese government's crackdown on consumer tech companies and antitrust measures have dampened business optimism, leading to a decline in the stock market. In contrast, the US economy is thriving, ...
This podcast episode explores how small food brands with small budgets are able to compete with huge global food companies and stake a claim in the grocery store.
This podcast episode explores the complex challenges surrounding food systems, including hunger, inequality, and environmental impact. It reveals that despite producing enough food to feed the global population, inefficiencies and food waste create a mismatch between availability and need. The podcast emphasizes the ur...
This podcast episode tackles diverse topics in finance and economics. It explores the banking nature of universities, delving into the similarities and differences between universities and traditional banks. The episode highlights the significant role 401k contributions play in the stock market, underscoring the stabil...
This podcast episode explores the intertwined economic relationship between the United States and Japan, from Japan's post-World War II economic resurgence with U.S. support to the trade tensions and anti-Japanese sentiment in the 1980s and 1990s. The episode also examines the recent move by Nippon Steel to acquire U.S...
This podcast episode discusses several financial issues, ranging from fraud prevention at Walmart to overdraft fees. Over $1 billion in fraud proceeds have flowed through Walmart's financial products in the past decade, with gift card scams being a major concern. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) has propos...
This podcast episode aims to provide listeners with skills to more critically evaluate and interpret polls. Experts emphasize the significance of overlooking initial numbers, understanding the margin of error, and identifying any possible bias, ensuring more informed decisions.
This podcast episode explores the rise of BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. The company's success is attributed to factors such as its founder's vision, focus on EVs, and obsessive cost-cutting. However, BYD's plans to enter the US market are being hindered by US government policies. Despite these challenge...
This podcast episode discusses the potential economic consequences of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The biggest risk is a disruption of oil and gas trading volumes, which could lead to a domino effect of rising oil prices, higher food prices, and increased food insecurity. The conflict has the potential to d...
This podcast episode discusses the current state of the electric vehicle industry, commercial real estate, and office building construction. The hosts discuss the decline in demand for electric vehicles and the increasing popularity of remote work. They also discuss the factors that led to the surge in office building ...
This podcast episode investigates antitrust laws and their application in the modern era, focusing on the case of RealPage. The episode examines the concept of collusion and how it can be facilitated by algorithmic pricing software. The case of RealPage and the lawsuits against it raise novel questions about how we def...
This podcast episode examines the potential risks and opportunities Guyana encounters due to its recent oil boom. It cautions against the "resource curse," highlighting risks such as authoritarianism, conflict, and economic imbalances. Despite these challenges, the episode emphasizes positive steps Guyana has taken to ...
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