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The Indicator from Planet Money

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The Indicator from Planet Money
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646 episodes

  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    What does every business need but not every industry has?

    09/29/2026 | 9 mins.
    What rhymes with "snakes" and helps the government classify economic activity? NAICS — or the North American Industry Classification System. These codes categorize every industry from artificial turf installation to zucchini farming. But they’re not exactly easy to get. Today we look at one business’ quest for a NAICS code and what makes them so valuable. 

    Fact checking by Leyla Doss. 

    Your Next Listen 
    — How to take the temperature of the US consumer 

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  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    How the rich make money by losing money

    09/28/2026 | 9 mins.
    Decades ago, rich Americans used to pay taxes as high as 40% on their investments. Nowadays, an obscure investment strategy is helping them slash that figure toward … 0%. Today on the show, Bloomberg reporter Loukia Gyftopoulou, tells us about this generation’s “great American tax dodge,” and the “mad genius” behind it.

    A Tax Strategy for the Rich Built the World’s Largest Hedge Fund - Bloomberg

    Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.

    Your Next Listen 
    — What’s a revenge tax?

    Connect with The Indicator 
    — Sign up for The Indicator’s weekly newsletter! 
    — Buy the Planet Money book 
    — Find our socials, YouTube and more! 
    — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+ 

    Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

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

    NPR Privacy Policy
  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    Unaffordability index: Rent, GLP-1s, Obamacare

    09/25/2026 | 9 mins.
    This week’s indicators: Rent is squeezing middle-income earners, the Trump admin is squeezing ACA enrollees, and GLP-1s are squeezing employers.

    Fact checking by Julia Ritchey.

    Your Next Listen 
    —Why GLP-1s aren't lowering employers' costs

    Connect with The Indicator 
    — Sign up for The Indicator’s weekly newsletter! 
    — Buy the Planet Money book 
    — Find our socials, YouTube ad more! 
    — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+

    Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

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

    NPR Privacy Policy
  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    What Doordash, Dell and Palantir all have in common

    09/24/2026 | 7 mins.
    President Trump and his money managers made more stock trades since his second term started than all members of Congress combined. The White House says there is no conflict of interest. Today on the show, we look at three companies he’s traded in that raise ethical flags because of their relationship with the federal government. 

    Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.

    Your Next Listen 
    — Did Trump enable insider trading?

    Connect with The Indicator 
    — Sign up for The Indicator’s weekly newsletter! 
    — Buy the Planet Money book 
    — Find our socials, YouTube and more! 
    — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+ 

    Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. 

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

    NPR Privacy Policy
  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    Why are used cars priced like new cars?

    09/23/2026 | 9 mins.
    The used car market is out of control and there doesn’t seem to be an easy fix for high prices. Today, three reasons why finding an affordable car is so difficult.

    Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.

    Your Next Listen 
    — Prepping for a rainy day and higher used car prices

    Connect with The Indicator 
    — Sign up for The Indicator’s weekly newsletter! 
    — Buy the Planet Money book 
    — Find our socials, YouTube and more! 
    — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+ 

    Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

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

    NPR Privacy Policy
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About The Indicator from Planet Money
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.
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