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.
President Trump's federal cuts and scrutiny of academic institutions are forcing some U.S. scientists to head for the border. On today's show, an entomologist keeping America's farms safe from pests reconsiders America. And a CEO of a Canadian hospital explains how they are benefiting from the exodus. Related episodes: How much international students matter to the economy ( Apple / Spotify ) What happens when billions of dollars in research funding goes away ( Apple / Spotify ) A 'Fork in the Ro...
Many international students are rethinking their education in the United States as the federal government revokes visas, often over minor infractions. A shift away could carry a heavy economic toll, as international students contributed $44 billion to the U.S. economy last school year. So what happens when a generation of bright-eyed scholars decide to forgo school in the U.S. and take their dollars elsewhere? Related episodes: Do immigrants really take jobs and lower wages? ( Apple / Spotify ) ...
Stablecoins are the latest digital asset to grab headlines. Congress is considering legislation around the cryptocurrency, and a Trump family-affiliated company is preparing to launch its own Stablecoin. But does this digital currency live up to its own name? Related episodes: What's this about a crypto reserve? ( Apple / Spotify ) Is 'government crypto' a good idea? ( Apple / Spotify ) WTF is a Bitcoin ETF? ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscr...
As the U.S. goes head-to-head with the rest of the world on tariffs, those countries are trying to figure out their best diplomatic strategy. One dilemma countries have is how close they get with another global superpower: China. On today's show, we hear from Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb about how the country is balancing trade relations with both countries. Related episodes: China's trade war perspective ( Apple / Spotify ) Dealmaker Don v. Tariff Man Trump ( Apple / Spotify )...
For weeks, Target has been the subject of a boycott after its decision to pull back on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. And early data shows it's taken a toll on the company. But in other instances, boycotts haven't made much of a splash. Today on the show, when does a boycott actually make a difference? Related episodes: SPAM strikes back ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr...
It's ... Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at the some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news. On today's episode, we investigate falling foreign travel to the U.S., why student loan default collections are back , and why maaaaaaaybe being so friendly with our AI chatbot pals has a cost. Related episodes: Economists take on student loan forgiveness Is AI overrated? ( Apple / Spotify ) Is AI underrated? ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Plan...
This episode of The Indicator examines the advisors influencing President Trump's trade policies, focusing on two main schools of thought: 'Make America' which emphasizes tariffs for national security, and the 'Weak Dollar School' which advocates for devaluing the dollar to boost exports. The episode explores the conflicting views and the challenges of advising a president driven by his gut instincts.
Donald Trump grew up learning to make deals. He's also loved tariffs since the 1970s. So are his market-shaking tariffs a bargaining chip? Or are they here permanently? We go all the way back to Trump's childhood to try to figure out if Dealmaker Don or Tariff Man Trump is in charge. Marc Fisher's book with Michael Kranish is Trump, Revealed . Related episodes: What's so bad about a trade deficit? ( Apple / Spotify ) Why there's no referee for the trade war ( Apple / Spotify ) Tariffied! We chec...
By now, you've heard a lot about how the U.S.-China trade war is affecting American consumers, businesses and the stock market. But how is the trade war being felt in China? Today on the show, two of NPR's in-house China experts, Emily Feng and John Ruwitch, explain the view from China. Related episodes: What might save China's economy ( Apple / Spotify ) Tarrified! We check in on businesses ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Mon...
It's time for The Indicator Quiz! We test you, dear listener, on your knowledge of topics that we've covered on The Indicator. Today's quiz show involves a DJ from Vancouver, Washington that tests his economic education on the World Trade Organization, the Panama Canal, and of course, Bad Bunny. Play along with us and see how you do! Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name and phone number at [email protected] and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subjec...
The current economic upheaval has lots of us scrambling for our glossaries and history books. Today on the show, the editor-in-chief of Investopedia walks us through three vocab terms — spanning topics from tariff history to market volatility — that are spiking on the website lately. Related listening: Did Trump enable insider trading? ( Apple / Spotify ) What's a moneyline bet anyway? ( Apple / Spotify ) Why tariffs are SO back ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from...
On the morning of April 9, President Trump posted on Truth Social "THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT." Around four hours later, he announced a pause on some new tariffs, causing a stock market spike. Now, Democrats are demanding an investigation into possible insider trading. But were Trump's posts actually insider trading? Related episodes: Morally questionable, economically efficient ( Apple / Spotify ) An insider trader tells all For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, ...
If you've ever passed through airport customs overseas and been refunded a VAT — or value added tax — for souvenirs, you've benefited from the VAT system. But President Trump says VAT is unfair to the U.S. On today's episode, we learn what VAT is and what it isn't. Related episodes: What's so bad about a trade deficit? ( Apple / Spotify ) Tarrified! We check in on businesses ( Apple / Spotify ) Why there's no referee for the trade war ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicato...
The federal government has been tracking the weather for more than 150 years. But the rise of the Internet and big tech have made weather forecasting a more crowded space. Today on the show, the value of an accurate forecast and how the Trump administration's early moves are clouding the government's future forecasting. This piece originally aired in November 2024. Related stories: Hazard maps: The curse of knowledge ( Apple / Spotify ) Should we invest more in weather forecasting? After a year ...
Today on the show, we discuss why the IRS is sharing some taxpayer information, why bonds and stocks both fell, and how robots will replace you,or at least most of your chore wheel, in the near future. Related episodes: Why are stocks and bonds both falling? For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez . Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter . ...
"There's no bad weather, only bad clothing." That's the motto of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, where Austan Goolsbee is president. As economic weather conditions stay unpredictable, Austan tells us how he's gearing up for tariffs, inflation, and more. Related episodes: The Fed cut rates ... now what? (featuring: Sasquatch) ( Apple / Spotify ) Tariffied! We check in on businesses ( Apple / Spotify ) A chat with the president of the San Francisco Fed ( Apple / Spotify ) Is the economy going...
Today on the show, we meet Canada's new Prime Minister, economist Mark Carney. What's it like when your former job — being a non-political banker who decides a country's interest rate — bleeds into your now-political decisions on everything ? Related episodes: A polite message from Canada to the U.S. ( Apple / Spotify ) Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
President Trump claims a main goal of his crippling tariffs is to address the U.S. trade deficit. So is the U.S. trade deficit a problem? On today's show, why we'll never have a trade surplus with every single country; what the benefits of a trade deficit are; and whether or not the trade deficit affects jobs. Related episodes: Tariffied! We check in on businesses ( Apple / Spotify ) Why there's no referee for the trade war ( Apple / Spotify ) Common economic myths debunked ( Apple / Spotify ) F...
Trump's wave of tariffs is here. Just about everyone in the world of business is still processing exactly what this means. It's a massive, widespread increase in taxes. Today on the show, we hear from business people we've had on the show who tell us what they're doing in response to the latest, and largest, wave of tariffs. Related episodes: Trump's contradictory trade policies ( Apple / Spotify ) How's ... everybody doing? ( Apple / Spotify ) How Shein became a fast-fashion behemoth ( Apple / ...
It's Jobs Friday and all eyes are on government workers. Will the Trump administration's layoffs finally show up in the latest jobs report? Today on the show, we look at the numbers for federal workers and who's trying to hire them. Related listening: Can ... we still trust the monthly jobs report ( Apple / Spotify ) The last time we shrank the federal workforce ( Apple / Spotify ) A 'Fork in the Road' for federal employees ( Apple / Spotify ) How local government is propping up the U.S. labor m...
There have now been a few major vinyl booms. And unbeknownst to many, a small village in the Czech Republic has been responsible for manufacturing a large number of these albums. On today's show, how this dominant player became a problem for its competitors in the U.S. Related episodes: Rumor has it Adele broke the vinyl supply chain 'Let's Get It On' ... in court (Update) ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podca...
Billions of tech dollars flowing into a community to build data centers should transform a local economy ... right? Well, maybe not. On today's episode: Why data centers create few permanent jobs. And why communities might want them anyway. Related episodes: Why China's DeepSeek AI is such a big deal ( Apple / Spotify ) Is AI overrated? ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Fact-checkin...
Mexico is gearing up to directly elect federal and state judges for the first time this June. President Claudia Sheinbaum says the new system will combat nepotism and increase the integrity of the courts. But critics see it as a naked attempt to dilute the court's independence. Today on the show, how Mexico's judicial reforms are creating angst for businesses at home and abroad. Related episodes: SCOTUS: De-facto pro-business? For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscri...
Brands trying to be your best bud. Generational labels. Gendered double standards. Today on the show: three advertising experts bring their three pet peeves in advertisements. Related episodes: How to make an ad memorable ( Apple / Spotify ) J. Screwed The Gender Gap Series: The Problem With The Pink Tax For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez . Music by Drop Electric . Find us...
On Indicators of the Week, we look at a huge projected tax shortfall, the price of copper and the afterlife of Napster, the peer-to-peer file-sharing service that refuses to die. Related episodes: A new-ish gold rush and other indicators ( Apple / Spotify ) Can the Federal Reserve stay independent ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram...
Many nonprofits accept your used cars as a way to donate. This happens from Make-A-Wish America to Habitat for Humanity to ... public radio stations! So, how does the process actually work? And who takes a cut along the way? Today, we follow the car money. Related episodes: Show your love for The Indicator from Planet Money by making a donation For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Fact-checking by Sierra ...
As relations between the US and Europe continue to sour, European countries are working to lower their reliance on the U.S. for weapons and security. Today on the show, we ask what Europe needs to do to become independent militarily and what potential barriers could stand in the way. Related episodes: Europe's NATO members take an economic hit ( Apple / Spotify ) Two Indicators: Economics of the defense industry ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, su...
What's one word you'd use to describe the 2025 economy? That's the question we fanned out across the U.S. with microphones and open ears. From street parties in the South to an L.A. bookstore to a boardroom in Denver, we listen for financial signals in today's economy. Related episodes: How many times can you say uncertainty in one economic report? ( Apple / Spotify ) The stock market is down, but you don't need to be ( Apple / Spotify ) The highs and lows of US rent ( Apple / Spotify ) For spon...
Half of all workers are showing signs of burnout according to a survey of international workers. Burnout can come from feeling detached from your work's purpose, having too much work, or ... from specialization. Today on the show, we speak with Shigehiro Oishi, author of Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life . Related episodes: Is endless vacation a scam? ( Apple / Spotify ) Why we work so much For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator f...
It's Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at interesting numbers from the news. On today's show, we welcome back co-host Adrian Ma. We also have the price of gold going up, German defense stocking up, and U.S. mergers and acquisitions slowing down. Related episodes: NPR's Adrian Ma remembers girlfriend, Kiah Duggins, who died in D.C. plane crash Europe's NATO members take an economic hit ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Mone...
