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Planet Money · September 16, 2026 · 18m

How investing is getting riskier (Two Indicators)

Planet Money's The Indicator brings two stories about how investing is getting riskier. One looks at the rise of sports gambling as a form of investing among Gen Z, where more than half are using investment money for sports bets, often losing money, similar to the day trading craze of an earlier generation. The other examines the surge in margin borrowing, now at an all-time high of over $1.5 trillion, and how high levels of margin debt have historically preceded market crashes. The episode also touches on what the Federal Reserve might do to address these growing risks.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

Sports Gambling as Gen Z's Day Trading
More than half of Gen Z investors are using their investment dollars for sports gambling, according to one study, and on average this is not a smart long-term strategy.
Margin Borrowing Hits All-Time High
Trading on margin—investing with borrowed money—has reached a record $1.5 trillion, raising concerns because historically, high margin debt has preceded market crashes.

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