The Indicator from Planet Money

It’s Indicators of the Week, our weekly look at some of the most fascinating numbers from the news! And unlike florals for spring, these numbers ARE groundbreaking.

On today’s episode: A dramatic SNAP decrease, fuel costs ground flights, and the Devil Wears Wages Increasing Slightly Faster Than A Small Sample Of Luxury Items!

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Related episodes: 
After the shutdown, SNAP will still be in trouble
How far can philanthropy go to fill government gaps? 
Your next flight doesn't have to be so expensive. Here's why 
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.  

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Businesses might finally see some tariff money refunded to them. That’s because this week, the federal government officially rolled out a process that allows businesses to apply for a refund.

Today on the show, we speak with three business owners about the unexpected simplicity and frustration of the Trump tariff refund process. 

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The Indicator has a weekly newsletter! Be among the first and sign-up now: npr.org/indicatornewsletter 

Related episodes: 
Can I get my tariff money back now?
Trump's backup options for tariffs
Three ways companies are getting around tariffs

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.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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The global oil market has supported the U.S. dollar for more than 50 years. But the system has shown signs of cracking. Amidst the Iran war, Iran has reportedly been collecting some tolls in yuan. Today on the show, how the petrodollar regime came to be and what losing it would mean for the U.S.

Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com/#tour

The Indicator has a weekly newsletter! Be among the first and sign-up now: npr.org/indicatornewsletter 

Related episodes: 
Can Europe sell America?
Think the oil shock is bad in the US? Look here
Fixing the oil crisis might not fix the Persian gulf

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.  

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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So you want to buy a house. You MIGHT notice that the owner isn’t a neighbor in your town, but a large corporation. A recent housing bill that passed the Senate wants to change that. This bill would restrict large institutional investors from owning too many single family homes. The hope is to improve affordability. But what’s the real connection between housing affordability and corporate landlords? We look at the evidence. 

Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com/#tour

The Indicator has a weekly newsletter! Be among the first and sign-up now: npr.org/indicatornewsletter 

Related episodes: 
Is the YIMBY movement doomed? 
How to fix a housing shortage 

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.  

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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Traders have made millions betting on the Iran War. They are also suspiciously timed. No public information, then boom: a Truth Social post from President Trump. Cue fat windfalls for the traders. It’s starting to look a lot like insider trading. 

On today’s show, suspicious bets on the Iran War. And are federal regulators or prosecutors looking into these trades … is anyone?

Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com/#tour

Related episodes: 
Did Trump enable insider trading?
Do traders who place big bets make big money?
How much is the Iran war costing us?

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.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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