logo
episode-header-image
Sep 19
9m 12s

The Fed cuts rates, America's FICO dips,...

NPR
About this episode
It’s … Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news. 

On today’s show: A rate cut and drama at the Federal Reserve, the average American gets a little less creditworthy, and those giant check sweepstakes winners? Well, they might have to get a job soon. 

Related episodes: 
Why an aggressive rate cut could backfire on Trump 
Trump's unprecedented attack on the Fed 
What goes into a credit score? 

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.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Today
How AI might mess with financial markets
Market manipulation is an age-old issue. People trying to make money off unsuspecting investors by artificially influencing the price of a stock, say. But what happens when the one manipulating markets isn't human? This week on The Indicator from Planet Money, we bring you five e ... Show More
10m 13s
Yesterday
When cartels start to diversify
The Sinaloa Cartel made the bulk of its money on cocaine. But cartels are diversifying into new operations including things like wildlife trafficking. Think sharks, jaguars, capybaras. The result is something called “narco-degradation.” On today’s show, we look at what’s driving ... Show More
9 m
Oct 7
What’s supercharging data breaches?
It may seem like data breaches have gotten a heck of a lot more common. Well, there’s something to that. The bad guys are getting badder faster than the good guys are getting better. This week, we’re bringing you five episodes on the evolving business of crime. Today on the show, ... Show More
9m 5s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 18
Fed Cuts Rates For First Time This Year & Winners and Losers of a TikTok Deal
Ed breaks down the Fed’s interest rate decision with Robert Armstrong, U.S. financial commentator for the Financial Times. They dig into why the Fed cut rates yesterday and what that move means for the rest of the year. Then Ed and Scott discuss the details of the deal to keep Ti ... Show More
35m 35s
Nov 2024
475: I Wanted to Check Out... But the Fed Just Cut Interest Rates Again
When the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again so it's time for another episode. The urge to just completely check out this week was very strong, but when I have the opportunity to look at a bunch of numbers and charts I just can't pass it up. Let's learn what is going on in t ... Show More
8m 47s
Aug 11
Introducing the Rachman Review: Is the US heading for a debt crisis?
This week on the Economics Show, we're bringing you an interview with Ray Dalio, from our foreign affairs podcast, the Rachman Review. It originally broadcast on July 3.Gideon talks to Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund and author of a ne ... Show More
24m 3s
Sep 19
Federal Reserve Lowers Rates, But Less Than Trump Wants
The Federal Reserve voted this week to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point. We discuss the factors behind the agency’s decision, as well as President Trump’s legal fight to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook.This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, financial corr ... Show More
18m 43s
Nov 2024
Fasten your seatbelt for a busy week
A busy week ahead with key events including the US presidential election, the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, and China's National People's Congress meeting to name but a few. The latest Iowa poll shows Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump, despite him winning the stat ... Show More
12m 18s
Apr 2025
The $6.6 Trillion Sell-off
Scott and Ed dig into the rubble of the record breaking $6.6 trillion sell-off following Trump’s tariffs announcements. They break down how Trump determined the tariff rates, what the tariffs will do to company earnings and the real economy, and offer advice on how to deal with t ... Show More
1h 8m
Apr 2025
Global Pushback on Tariffs + Can the FTC Beat Meta?
Scott and Ed discuss gold hitting a record high, the Trump administration’s new restrictions on chip exports, and Jerome Powell’s comments on tariffs. Then, they unpack how other nations are pushing back against the tariffs, highlighting Trump’s key strategic missteps—including h ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 2024
The Fed Finally Cut Rates. What Does That Mean?
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates this week, after a two year battle with inflation. David Uberti explains how that will impact the economy and we hear from two couples about what they hope this means for their finances.  Further Listening: - A Fed Insider on the Looming Rat ... Show More
21m 25s
Aug 29
Trump Takes On the Fed, US-Intel Deal, Why Bankruptcies Are Up, OpenAI's Longevity Breakthrough
(0:00) Bestie intros: The Moose is loose at J-Cal Ranch! (0:46) All-In Summit updates, Jason's new program (9:45) Trump vs the Federal Reserve: Is the Fed partisan, what should a modern Fed look like? (36:45) US-Intel Deal: Sustainability, China comparison, could deals like this ... Show More
1h 31m
Sep 5
The Fed Is Cornered By Stagflation After Jobs Collapse | Weekly Roundup
This week, we discuss all the growing list of weaker labor market data after August NFP showed just 22K jobs added. We also debate whether the Fed will have room to cut 50bps in September while stagflation rears its head, the potential implications if tariffs are overturned, and ... Show More
42m 7s