Yet another stockpile scramble

Yet another stockpile scramble

From Marketplace All-in-One by Marketplace

April 23, 2026 · 25 min

About this episode

The episode discusses business activity growth in April and its implications amid the ongoing war in Iran, along with various economic topics including stock market movements and historical oil price caps.

Business activity growth soared in April, according to S&P Global’s purchasing managers index. The topline number might sound rosy, but experts think the growth spurt is really a sign of fear. In this episode, why businesses spent month two of the war in Iran stockpiling goods. Plus: Avis experiences a stock market “short squeeze,” business owners apply for the first round of tariff refunds, and we look back at the 1970s to understand the economics of oil price caps. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Topics covered

  • business growth
  • stockpiling goods
  • stock market
  • tariff refunds
  • oil price caps
  • economic analysis

Keywords

  • business activity
  • S&P Global
  • stockpile
  • Avis
  • tariff refunds
  • oil price caps
  • economic growth
  • Iran

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: S&P Global, Avis

Places: Iran

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