appears in the following:
How the consumer sentiment index is made
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
When the Fed wants to see if its policies are working to tamp down inflation, it looks to the Consumer Price Index. But to see into the future, policymakers look to the consumer sentiment index.
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening
Friday, October 13, 2023
Each week, guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: A violin comedy duo, Moonlighting on Hulu, the movie The Royal Hotel, and more.
The story of an Indigenous woman in Colombia who fought back against Coca-Cola
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
The coca leaf has been a part of Andean culture for thousands of years. But when an indigenous woman used it in a drink she calls Coca Pola, her company entered into the crosshairs of Coca-Cola.
Is retail theft getting worse?
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Retailers are blaming thieves for falling profits. It's the biggest part of a problem called "shrink."
China's urban youth unemployment rate rose to 21% in June
Friday, September 15, 2023
One of the most alarming indicators in China is the skyrocketing urban youth unemployment rate. Many college grads in China can't find work in their chosen field.
A traffic jam in the drought-stricken Panama Canal may affect global supply chains
Friday, September 08, 2023
A drought is causing a slowdown in shipping traffic at the Panama Canal. It's introducing new problems for the global supply chain.
It was fed-up farmers who started the only government-run bank in the U.S.
Friday, September 01, 2023
There is only one public bank in the United States, and a group in Rochester, N.Y., is trying to change that. The Indicator from Planet Money explores the challenges of public banking in the U.S.
How a home mortgage 'lock in' impacts the entire housing market
Friday, August 25, 2023
The average mortgage rate in the U.S. is now over 7%, its highest level in more than 20 years. That has some homeowners feeling locked in, tethered to their low interest rates and unable to move.
Planet Money's 'The Indicator': The life and death spirals of social networks
Friday, August 11, 2023
Meta's new social media platform Threads had a rocket-like start when it launched a month ago as a challenger to X, formerly known as Twitter. But it's hard to tell which platform will dominate.
What Barbie's professional history says about women in the labor force
Friday, July 28, 2023
With more than 200 careers under her pink belt, Barbie has always been a hard worker. What can the types of professions Barbie's done tell us about women in the U.S. labor force? A lot, actually.
Online-only neobanks in Mexico are eager to win over new customers
Friday, July 07, 2023
Many adults in Mexico don't have any kind of bank account, and a lot of those people are young and tech savvy. Financial tech startups see this as a big opportunity for online-only banks.
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend reading, viewing and listening
Friday, June 23, 2023
Each week, guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Beware the Woman, Dungeons and Drag Queens, and the DVD menu of The Social Network.
Traditionally very safe, money market funds may no longer be as reliable
Friday, June 02, 2023
Billions of dollars have flowed from traditional banks to money market funds in search of higher returns. These funds are supposed to be safe. But lately, things have been looking a little shaky.
How will generative AI — such as ChatGPT — affect the workplace?
Friday, June 02, 2023
New technologies often benefit highly paid, college-educated professionals — while putting others out of work. Research indicates generative AI could benefit middle-skill workers in surprising ways.
This obscure program lets Americans donate to help pay off the national debt
Friday, May 26, 2023
The U.S. debt has led to plenty of partisan fights and ... charitable gifts. For decades, a government program has been collecting donations from Americans who want to help pay off the national debt.
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend listening and viewing
Friday, May 19, 2023
Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: The Soundtrack Show, Reservation Dogs, Janelle Monáe and more.
How to measure balance of power between employers and workers
Friday, May 12, 2023
Who has more power in the labor market, workers or employers? One economist has come up with a new economic indicator to try to measure it.
The Federal Home Loan Bank system may need an update after 90 years
Friday, May 05, 2023
Unsung hero of the financial system or enabler of troubled banks? The Federal Home Loan Bank system was created to support homeownership, but also loaned billions to failing banks like First Republic.
The promise and perils of the multi-billion dollar influencer industry
Friday, May 05, 2023
Paid posts, affiliate links, subscriptions — all ways social media influencers can make money. But how many influencers are actually making a living off their content creation? Not many.
Ed Sheeran vs. Ed heirs: A look at the test for determining music copyright claims
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
When it comes to making art, what's the difference between inspiration and theft? That's the question at the heart of one of the biggest musical copyright trials in years that began this week.