Chips up, rent down, and are people really skimping on holiday gifts?

In this episode of The Indicator from Planet Money, Darian Woods, Wailin Wong, and Jeff Guo discuss three economic indicators of the week. First, they explore the dramatic rise in RAM chip prices due to AI-driven demand and the cyclical nature of the industry. Next, they examine holiday spending trends, noting a discrepancy between planned spending and actual online sales, possibly driven by wealthier shoppers. Finally, they discuss the decrease in apartment rental prices in certain areas, particularly in the South, due to increased construction, contrasting this with rising rents in other cities. The episode concludes with a message acknowledging NPR donors and promoting NPR+.