Apr 28, 2022

That fall in GDP may not be as bad as it seems

Shoppers walk through a Macys department store at Concord Mall in Wilmington, Delaware, on April 23, 2022. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Slowed inventory growth and a surge in imports have a lot to do with it. Plus: The socioeconomic diversity of economists, and Japan's low interest rates.

Segments From this episode

Businesses grew their inventories more slowly in the first quarter. That dragged down GDP.

by Justin Ho

Apr 28, 2022

The downturn isn't surprising, considering inventories grew by a record amount the quarter before.

Inventories did rise in the first quarter, but the GDP calculation only cares about how much they changed from the previous quarter.

Michael M Santiago/Getty Images

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The trade deficit was partly to blame for the hit to GDP. But there's a silver lining.

by Mitchell Hartman

Apr 28, 2022

Global turmoil put a cap on U.S. exports, while the easing of supply chain snags allowed Americans to import more.

More imports and fewer exports caused a slight dip in GDP, but that's giving the supply chain a chance to recover.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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Japan, bucking the global trend, keeps interest rates low

by Lily Jamali

Apr 28, 2022

While some major central banks tighten monetary policy to fight inflation, the Bank of Japan is taking a very different approach.

The Bank of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo. Unlike many central banks, Japan's is keeping interest rates low, expecting inflation to fade.

Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images

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Economics’ diversity problem includes socioeconomic diversity

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Apr 28, 2022

A new working paper analyzing socioeconomic diversity in the economics profession finds it sorely lacking.

Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

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A Warmer World

What does the current energy crisis mean for the clean energy transition?

by Kai Ryssdal and Richard Cunningham

Apr 28, 2022

The war in Ukraine is forcing the U.S. to reconsider its dependence on oil.

"We have seen this scenario time and time again, where oil is proving to be an unstable factor in our economy," said Mark Brownstein at the Environmental Defense Fund. "And now we have the opportunity to move to a different future."

David McNew/Getty Images

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The NFL draft is designed to promote parity in the league. That provides an incentive to lose on purpose.

by Andy Uhler

Apr 28, 2022

The worst team in last year's league gets first pick from the new crop of players turning pro.

Former Miami Dolphins' head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins alleges that team’s owner, Stephen Ross, offered nearly $100,000 for every game the team lost in 2019. The NFL is investigating the allegations.

Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

1 Thing Amerie

Make It Better (feat. Smokey Robinson) Anderson .Paak, Smokey Robinson

Samui Sunrise Saib

Waterfalls TLC

Bustling Freddie Joachim

Izzo (H.O.V.A.) JAY-Z

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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