Mar 13, 2024

Breaking Ground: Betting on mother nature

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CAT bonds are booming right now — and they have nothing to do with furry feline friends. Plus, the real cost of Biden's IRA.

Segments From this episode

Why do economists dig government data?

by Sean McHenry

Jobs, inflation, GDP: Government data releases are the benchmark when it comes to economic data. But why is that? David Vera with the Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno, and Nicole Cervi, economist at Wells Fargo, explain.

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Why are sports brands overstocked?

by Elizabeth Trovall

Mar 13, 2024

Adidas posted an annual loss for the first time in more than 30 years, citing inventory issues.

Shifting consumer trends often leave companies like Adidas stuck with too much of the wrong product, says Sonia Lapinsky of AlixPartners.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Breaking Ground

Wait, how much will the Inflation Reduction Act's climate provisions cost?

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Mar 13, 2024

We break down the role of uncapped tax credits in the IRA's climate provisions with John Bistline of the Electric Power Research Institute.

Many of the IRA's tax credits are not capped and last for at least 10 years, creating variability in the total projected cost.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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Why the CAT bond market is booming right now

by Henry Epp

Mar 13, 2024

They're called CAT — for catastrophe — bonds, and insurers and investors can't get enough of them.

If disaster does strike, CAT bond investors could potentially lose the principal, interest or both. Above, destroyed homes and storm debris in Florida after Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images

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Good luck booking that big birthday dinner

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Mar 13, 2024

Alina Dizik wrote in The Wall Street Journal about why some restaurants don't want parties of six or more people.

Bigger tables are harder on kitchens and servers, and they're not always welcomed. You may have better luck at less trendy eateries or at off-hours.

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Music from the episode

"House Shoes" Cheekface

"Never Mess With Sunday" Yppah

"Greatest City" Poolside

"Impossible Worlds" Todd Baker

"I've Been Waiting" Lil Peep, iLoveMakonnen, Fall Out Boy

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Sofia Terenzio Assistant Producer

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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