Adrian Ma
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Co-Host of @NPR’s @TheIndicator from @PlanetMoney • covering the economy and other business-ish www.npr.org/people/1041621328/adrian-ma
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Articles by Adrian Ma
Why Oracle's debt load could be your problem
Cookie Settings When you visit our website or app, we store cookies on your browser, use similar tracking and storage technologies such as software development kits, and use information about the device you use to access our site or app (together "cookies"). The information these cookies collect might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site or app work as you expect them to and to provide a more personalized web or app experience.
Supercore inflation, Bumble valuation and Pooh's repatriation
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Supercore inflation, Bumble valuation and Pooh's repatriation : The Indicator from Planet Money This week’s indicators: Why is inflation so super (derogatory)? How did Bumble go from dating app doldrums to a stock market sweetheart?; And oh, bother! Could Winnie the Pooh be moving home to England from New York City? Fact checking by Leyla Doss.
By Wailin Wong Verified, Adrian Ma Verified, Ricky Mulvey, Angel Carreras Verified, Kate Concannon Verified
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NPR
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A rebate runaround, a car rental rip-off and … roaches?!
A rebate runaround, a car rental rip-off and … roaches?! : The Indicator from Planet Money A labyrinthine rebate process. Shrinking cereal boxes. Mystery rental car charges. Cockroaches?! We share listener tales of Consumer Rage and unpack the economic forces driving that ANGER. Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.
Th Best Used Convertibles That Make You Feel Like A Million Bucks
While average prices for new cars continue to increase, it makes sense for those who decide to explore the secondhand market for alternatives. There are plenty of options to choose from in the used market for buyers who feel they can get more for their money, especially if it's possible to get a luxury or performance car for the same amount of money that a new, entry-level Nissan Sentra currently costs.
SNAP strains, youth baseball's class divide, and Meta's bug bounty
SNAP strains, youth baseball's class divide, and Meta's bug bounty : The Indicator from Planet Money This week our top indicators include changes to the funding model for SNAP, private equity’s influence on youth baseball and Meta’s attempt to find flaws in its brand new AI assistant. Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.
The chilling effect of ICE in hospitals
The chilling effect of ICE in hospitals : The Indicator from Planet Money Federal immigration enforcement arrests reached record highs this past summer, and under the second Trump administration, immigration agents can now more easily access so-called sensitive areas, including hospitals. Today on the show: how both patients and healthcare workers are bearing the physical and economic costs of these deportation campaigns. Featuring Dr. William D.
One economist's answer to data center anxiety
One economist's answer to data center anxiety : The Indicator from Planet Money Rising electricity prices are one of the primary reasons why data centers are a public enemy this election cycle. But is it realistic to expect energy prices to stay high forever? Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.
The Best Cars For Raod Trips: EV, Hybrid, Or Gas?
Long-distance driving from state to state or coast to coast has been a custom ingrained in North American automotive culture from its beginnings, and to this day, buyers are often looking for the best cars for road trips.
Can we make Social Security better for blue-collar workers?
Can we make Social Security better for blue-collar workers? : The Indicator from Planet Money Most workers can’t start collecting full Social Security benefits until age 67. But a new proposal from Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens would allow workers in “physically demanding jobs” to receive full retirement benefits at 60. Today, two social security experts tell us the pros and cons. Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.
LISTEN: Is investing in sports worth it for universities?
Universities spend millions of dollars every year on their athletics programs. But does that investment pay off? Today, we interrogate the “Doug Flutie Effect.” Fact checking by Cooper Katz McKim. Your Next Listen — How college sports juiced Olympic development Connect with The Indicator — Sign up for The Indicator’s weekly newsletter! — Buy the Planet Money book — Find our socials, YouTube and more!
Is investing in sports worth it for universities?
Is investing in sports worth it for universities? : The Indicator from Planet Money Universities spend millions of dollars every year on their athletics programs. But does that investment pay off? Today, we interrogate the “Doug Flutie Effect.” Fact checking by Cooper Katz McKim.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
Previously used on the famed, old-school 'woody wagon' era of Jeep family-oriented vehicles, the American brand reintroduced the Grand Wagoneer nameplate after 2020, when the Stellantis-owned brand introduced an all-new model lineup to compete against other SUV-focused brands like GMC, Chevrolet, and Ford in an increasingly competitive segment within the United States.
GMC Warranty: What To Know Before You Buy
Within the current automotive brands under the General Motors umbrella, GMC has primarily been defined as the one specializing in capable workhorses or fleet vehicles, with products largely including trucks and vans, along with upmarket luxury SUVs. GMC has also, in its most recent years, provided American-engineered options for the newly created all-electric pickup truck segment, including reviving the Hummer brand with the GMC Hummer EV truck models.
How the rich make money by losing money
How the rich make money by losing money : The Indicator from Planet Money 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.
Tesla Model S Plaid Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
The fastest and most powerful Model S arrived as the first four-door production car to surpass 1,000 horsepower. Here's how it changed.
Subaru Impreza Hatchback Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
While Subaru sells far more compact vehicles in regions like its native Japan and select Asian markets, the Subaru Impreza has continually served as the smallest and most affordable model sold under the Japanese brand for the North American market.
What Doordash, Dell and Palantir all have in common
What Doordash, Dell and Palantir all have in common : The Indicator from Planet Money 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?
Volvo SUV Models We've Tested With The Best Reliability
The Most Reliable Volvo Models Are Used We added a section with two used Volvo SUVs that have recorded above-average reliability. When it comes to family movers among the safest in their class, most people think of Swedish automotive brand Volvo. While it now falls under the Chinese brand Geely and its automotive umbrella, Volvo vehicles remain distinguishable among other European brands currently on the market.
Ford Bronco Raptor Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
The Ford Performance division is known for taking road-going vehicles and transforming them into far more capable platforms, with examples that include the Ford Mustang GTD and limited-production Ford GT supercar. But the Blue Oval's performance arm has also begun modifying the brand's truck and SUV lineup in recent years.
How Hemp-THC businesses are bracing for a near total ban
How Hemp-THC businesses are bracing for a near total ban : The Indicator from Planet Money Follow us to Tennessee where hemp farmers are already pivoting in the face of a state ban and soon, a looming federal ban on basically all THC-derived hemp products. Will Congress step in to save this $28 billion industry? Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.
Chevrolet Blazer Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
Previously used on one of the brand's most famous SUV models sold from the 1960s to the 1990s, the Blazer nameplate returned to Chevrolet's lineup for the 2019 model year. However, some found its revived form – a hatchback-style crossover – somewhat disconnected from its previous identity as a full-size off-roader.
Cadillac CT5 Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
While market demand now pushes crossovers and SUVs as the main focus for American luxury brands, some still cater to customers who don't need the excessive size and towering driving position these vehicles offer. Cadillac is one of these brands that still provides four-door luxury sedans in its product range that occupy different segments, with the most expensive (and largest in size) prioritizing occupant comfort and legroom space for those being transported in the second row.
How investing is getting riskier (Two Indicators)
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Margin Trading and Sports Betting: How Risky Is Investing Now? : Planet Money Margin borrowing and sports gambling “investments” are both on the rise! Today on the show, two stories from Planet Money’s daily podcast The Indicator about the ways investing is changing, and getting riskier. According to one study, more than half of Gen Zers are using investment dollars for sports gambling. On average, this is not a smart strategy for the long term.
By Ricky Mulvey, Wailin Wong Verified, Adrian Ma Verified, Corey Bridges, Cooper McKim Verified, Julia Ritchey Verified, Kate Concannon Verified
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NPR
Verified
Best 4-Cylinder Sedans For 2026 Ranked
Even as trucks and crossovers continue to take new car market share from other segments, from hatchbacks to two-door coupes, one segment that is still proving to be resilient to this current trend is sedans, with long-running nameplates like the Honda Civic Sedan continuing to attract buyers within the new car market. It's not only Japanese and Korean brands that continue to support this particular vehicle segment, as buyers can still find choices for sedans from European brands.
A35 AMG: The Compact AMG Sedan You Can Buy For Less Than A New Toyota Camry
We added a section to discuss A35 sedan recalls and owner complaints. Buyers in the market for an affordable four-door sedan typically look at the latest offerings on the new car market. Despite most brands focusing their lineup on crossovers and SUVs to meet demand, there remain a few options in the shrinking sedan segment for those who find the large size and elevated driving position unnecessary.
Chevrolet SS Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
Options for rear-wheel-drive, V8-engined muscle-car sedans were more plentiful in the early to mid-2000s, before many models adopted downsized powertrains in later iterations. Among American brands, this was largely limited to the Chrysler 300C SRT8 and the Dodge Charger, and for a brief period, the Pontiac G8.
< Canada fights tariffs with tariffs
Transcript [FAIR MUSIC] DARIAN WOODS: Wailin, I'm so proud of myself. I just won the top prize at ringtoss. WAILIN WONG: Oh, is that why you're holding this giant teddy bear, Darian? WOODS: No, I just brought this one from home. But what I did win was a subscription to The Indicator newsletter. WONG: Oh, congratulations. That's very exciting. WOODS: You can sign up, too-- WONG: For free! WOODS: --at npr.org/indicatornewsletter. ANNOUNCER: NPR.
Are job hoppers better at their jobs?
Are job hoppers better at their jobs? : The Indicator from Planet Money People with jobs are not always eager to leave them … but there are exceptions. Call them job hoppers. While many employers look down on this sort of professional promiscuity, new research suggests there are benefits to switching jobs frequently. Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.
For a lot of Gen Z, gambling is investing
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For a lot of Gen Z, gambling is investing : The Indicator from Planet Money Why are more than half of Gen Zers using investment dollars for sports gambling? It’s been eight years since sports betting became widely legal. Today we look at its impact on a new generation of sports bettors and efforts to curb gambling’s more harmful effects. Fact checking by Sierra Juarez. Your Next Listen — Prediction markets are threatening national security. Who's gonna fix it?
By Ricky Mulvey, Adrian Ma Verified, Cooper McKim Verified, Julia Ritchey Verified, Kate Concannon Verified
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NPR
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A Treasury showdown with the bond market
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A Treasury showdown with the bond market : The Indicator from Planet Money Why is the U.S. Treasury planning to buyback at least double the number of long-dated government bonds it usually does? And will Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s buyback plan pit him against both the bond markets and the Federal Reserve? Today we explain what the Treasury’s up to and what it means for you. Fact checking by Sierra Juarez. Your Next Listen —Bond vigilantes.
By Wailin Wong Verified, Adrian Ma Verified, Angel Carreras Verified, Julia Ritchey Verified, Kate Concannon Verified
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NPR
Verified
How ICE arrests are creating 'economies of fear' Original
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Cookie Settings When you visit our website or app, we store cookies on your browser, use similar tracking and storage technologies such as software development kits, and use information about the device you use to access our site or app (together "cookies"). The information these cookies collect might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site or app work as you expect them to and to provide a more personalized web or app experience.
By Adrian Ma Verified, Wailin Wong Verified, Corey Bridges, Julia Ritchey Verified, Kate Concannon Verified
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NPR
Verified
Trump administration proposal would allow federal grants to be terminated on a whim
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Trump administration proposal would allow federal grants to be terminated on a whim
New Trump-led proposals to change how federal grants are decided could spell trouble for blue cities and states, The Indicator reports.
Trump administration proposal would allow federal grants to be terminated on a whim
Trump administration proposal would allow federal grants to be terminated on a whim New Trump-led proposals to change how federal grants are decided could spell trouble for blue cities and states, The Indicator reports. New Trump-led proposals to change how federal grants are decided could spell trouble for blue cities and states, The Indicator reports. Sponsor Message NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews.
Trump administration proposal would allow federal grants to be terminated on a whim
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