Feb 1, 2022

The “data desert” in monthly jobs reports

The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data for its monthly jobs report by talking to businesses and individuals. Some folks it doesn't talk to? American Indians and Alaska Natives. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Plus, how businesses are grappling with inventory surpluses and what the deployment of Russian troops means for Ukraine's economy.

Segments From this episode

Business inventories went up between December and January. That's not normal.

by Justin Ho

Feb 1, 2022

Part of the problem is our old friend, the congested supply chain.

Supply chain issues caused an excess of inventory after the holidays, posing storage issues for businesses.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

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Corporate investors remain bullish on real estate market

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Feb 1, 2022

Corporations bought a record share of homes last year and can make it hard for regular homebuyers to compete.

According to some estimates, firms have invested roughly $50 billion in single-family rentals over the past few years.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Job openings — and resignations — still at historic highs

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Feb 1, 2022

26 million people quit their jobs over the past six months. In December, employers had about as many jobs open as they ever have.

The 311,000 number is higher than most predictions, while unemployment rose from 3.4% to 3.6%.

Olivier Douliery/ Getty Images

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BBC's funding system under fire amid viewership changes, Conservatives' hostility

by Stephen Beard

Feb 1, 2022

Boris Johnson's government may scrap the national license fee that's funded the UK broadcaster for generations.

The BBC's primary revenue source, a compulsory annual fee paid by the British people, is stirring vigorous opposition.

Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

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In Ukraine, the Russian invasion scare could be keeping out foreign investors

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Feb 1, 2022

The threat undermines “Ukraine's position on international markets" said the Atlantic Council's Peter Dickinson. "Companies can't finance themselves."

A woman sells fruit in an underground walkway in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital. There is concern “about the safety of Ukraine as a place to do business," said Peter Dickinson of the Atlantic Council.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

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Race and Economy

Indigenous workers have been hit hard by COVID-19. But Friday's jobs report won't reflect that.

by Savannah Maher

Feb 1, 2022

American Indians and Alaska Natives aren't included in the monthly report, so they are often left out of discussions on economic well-being in the U.S.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data for its monthly jobs report by talking to businesses and individuals. Some folks it doesn't talk to? American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Passionfruit Drake

Waterfalls TLC

Can I Kick It? A Tribe Called Quest

Work Rihanna, Drake

Independent Women, Pt. 1 Destiny's Child

Doo Wop (That Thing) Ms. Lauryn Hill

Just the Two of Us (feat. Bill Withers) Grover Washington, Jr., Bill Withers

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

Andie Corban Associate Producer

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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