The stock market is down, but you don’t need to be

Enlarge this image Traders working on the NYSE floor following the worst day for markets in 2025. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Traders working on the NYSE floor following the worst day for markets in 2025. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Government cuts. Tariff uncertainty. Sticky interest rates. These are not helping the tumbling stock market. There’s a sinking feeling among some Americans that a crash is imminent. But … should we all be so worried? Today, we brush away the cobwebs of stock market fear and confusion, and bring some long-held facts to the surface. Related episodes: Why to look twice when your portfolio is doing well (Apple / Spotify) The cautionary tale of a recovering day trading addict (Apple / Spotify) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Tyler Jones. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter. Sponsor Message