Archive for the ‘Financial Crisis’ Category
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/19/818583204/episode-982-how-to-save-the-economy-now
Neel Kashkari from the Federal Reserve bank discusses his optimism about the future of the economy. He believes the Federal Reserve has learned from its mistakes during the 2008 crisis, and is now better equipped to react. The Fed is emergency lending in order to combat the effects of this economic uncertainty.
Original Air Date: March 20, 2020
Length: 13 minutes 43 seconds
Discussion Prompt: How is the current situation similar to the 2008 financial crisis? Should the Federal Reserve bail out banks and businesses during times like these?
Link:https://www.npr.org/2019/08/21/753185863/episode-934-two-yield-curve-indicators
In March, the yield curve for United States treasury bonds inverted. For the past six decades, the yield curve has been an extremely accurate indicator of a coming recession. Will this indicator hold true in the coming months?
Original Air Date: August 21, 2019
Length: 18 minutes 54 seconds
Discussion Prompt: What could cause long term treasury bond rates to drop below short term rates?
Discussion Prompt: What steps should the Federal Reserve take in the coming months to prevent a crash similar to the 2008 recession?
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/16/816684372/episode-980-the-fed-fights-the-virus
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve has lowered its interest rates to 0%. The Fed has been practicing quantitative easing in order to ensure individuals can sell Treasury bonds whenever they need to. Planet Money discusses whether this will be enough to prevent a recession from occurring.
Original Air Date: March 16, 2020
Length: 18 minutes 17 seconds
Written Assignment Prompt: Pretend you are the chair of the Federal Reserve. How would you deal with the Covid-19 pandemic to help prevent a coming recession? How would you adjust interest rates or the money supply during this time?
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/02/582843102/how-are-they-doing-now
Summary: When the recession hit, many workers within the United States not only lost their jobs, but they also had to cut back a significant amount of their hours. In this podcast, THE INDICATOR checks on three groups to see how they are doing now, part-time workers who want to be full-time, African-American unemployment, and people without college degrees.
Original Air Date: February 2, 2018
Length: 5 minutes 34 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/01/12/577710151/the-recession-predictor
Summary: There appears to be fear that another recession is approaching the United States, but what are the warning signs for the country’s economy? From talks about inflation, interest rates, and borrowing, the yield curve is known to be a powerful and the most accurate predictor of recessions.
Original Air Date: January 12, 2018
Length: 9 minutes 5 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/14/585844313/stimulus-response
Summary: What would a liberal economist say about the state of America’s economy today? THE INDICATOR discusses how the country’s economy may need some form of stimulus to boost further economic growth. However, would the benefits of the short run stimulus for the economy that we say we need, outweigh the cost of the long-term tax cuts?
Original Air Date: February 14, 2018
Length: 6 minutes 30 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/01/06/462149561/episode-15-delicious-cake-futures
Summary: An elementary lunch room has more economics involved then one would think. Snacks are the currency, and the trading is of the food. In this story, Planet Money discusses how one kid developed a derivative for a cake, by trading for snacks now for a piece of the cake later.
Original Air Date: March 9, 2009
Length: 15 minutes 16 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/12/23/506763952/episode-587-jubilee
Summary: After Iceland was hit hard by the financial crisis, Icelanders with mortgage loans were drowning in debt. Recognizing the outrage, the Progressive Party of Iceland capitalized and offered to clear everyone’s debt. Planet Money discusses Iceland’s use of a biblical event called jubilee and the results.
Original Air Date: December 23, 2016
Length: 20 minutes
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/04/15/economy/homeowner-buyout-plan-better-late-never
Summary: The Federal Housing Finance Agency begins to help 33,000 homeowners who financed their mortgages through Freddie Mae or Fannie Mac and are are more than 15% underwater and 90 days delinquent on payments. Assistance includes lowering interest rates and the balance of principal owed
Original Air Date: April 15, 2016
Length: 2 minutes 12 seconds
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/03/18/world/why-theres-so-much-economic-anxiety-midlife
Summary: According to the Marketplace Economic Anxiety Index, 35-54 year olds are the most worried age group in the U.S. Children’s college tuition and retirement loom over these folks and they also felt the aftershocks of the housing crisis and stock market crash. Marketplace speaks to a couple about their economic concerns and decisions.
Original Air Date: March 18, 2016
Length: 5 minutes and 4 seconds
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