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Big Take

Bloomberg and iHeartPodcastswww.bloomberg.com

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

Episodes

How a CEO’s Faked Results Led to a $300 Million Wipeout

In late 2018, five years after launching fish-feeding company eFishery, Gibran Huzaifah found himself all out of cash. To save his business, the CEO started plugging fake numbers into financial reports. The brighter picture drew hundreds of millions of investor dollars. But his house of cards was doomed to collapse. On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg's David Ramli about the fall of eFishery and what it says about the risks of venture capital investing. Read more...

May 06, 202517 min

Warren Buffett Passes the Baton

Warren Buffett shocked shareholders when he announced he’d be stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. The 94-year-old business giant had been running the behemoth company for more than 50 years, and his investment decisions have earned him the nickname the “Oracle of Omaha.” On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior markets editor and Opinion columnist John Authers unpacks how Warren Buffett changed investing, what it would take for successors to fill his shoes and whether Berkshire Hath...

May 05, 202516 min

Your Morning Commute Could Get Way Worse

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the US government stepped in with aid to keep mass transit agencies afloat. But that money is running out and ridership hasn’t rebounded. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Sri Taylor and Aaron Gordon join host David Gura to discuss why advocates now fear many transit systems are on the verge of a so-called “death spiral” — a vicious cycle of less funding, low ridership and cuts to services that could impact everyone’s commute. Read more: A $6 Billio...

May 02, 202516 min

Earnings Are In. Companies Can’t Hide From Tariffs Anymore

One month after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, Q1 earnings reports for a range of US companies are in. On today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Shelly Banjo joins host Sarah Holder to talk through what those reports are revealing about companies’ reactions to Trump’s trade war. Are they pausing, pivoting or panicking? Read more of Shelly Banjo’s work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 01, 202517 min

How Goldman Sachs Is Thinking About Tariffs

The uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariff policies has been spooking business leaders and roiling the markets. And according to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, there could be more economic pain ahead — at least in the short term. Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg editor-at-large Francine Lacqua sits down with Solomon at the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund’s annual investment conference in Oslo. He shares his thoughts on the fate of the US dollar as a reserve currency, opportunities for new invest...

Apr 30, 202518 min

What a Liberal Victory Means for Canada and the Trade War

In electing Mark Carney as prime minister, Canadians have given him and the Liberal Party a mandate. But it was a narrow victory — one that will require Carney to work with another party to achieve his priorities. His most urgent: trade talks with US President Donald Trump. On today’s Big Take podcast, David Gura sits down with Canadian government reporter Brian Platt in Ottawa to discuss the results of the election, what a fourth consecutive Liberal term means for the country’s future and how C...

Apr 29, 202516 min

Inside Trump’s First 100 Days

President Trump will celebrate 100 days back in office this week. The milestone comes amid a US-China trade war, ongoing conflict overseas and high-stakes battles over the future of higher education. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Josh Wingrove joins host David Gura to take stock of how Trump has used the last three months to reshape everything from global trade and immigration to the American presidency — and what they reveal about the road ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Apr 28, 202519 min

Top Colleges Are Too Costly — Even for Parents Making $300K

Tuition at US colleges and universities is higher than ever. But an exclusive new Bloomberg analysis reveals that the cost of a four-year degree is particularly burdensome for middle class students and their families. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Francesca Maglione and Paulina Cachero join David Gura to break down the real cost of attending the most selective colleges and universities in the US — and how that cost changes depending on how much a family makes. Read more: Top Colleges ...

Apr 25, 202517 min

The Americans With Disabilities Making Under Minimum Wage

For decades, workers, disability advocates and employers have debated a program called 14(c), a section of employment law that lets companies pay certain employees with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. Proponents say the program provides opportunities for people who might not find them elsewhere. Critics say it’s exploitative and stigmatizing. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior reporter Josh Eidelson joins host Sarah Holder to dig into the debate over subminimum wage a...

Apr 24, 202516 min

How Trump’s Tariffs Are Hitting Global Economic Growth

The International Monetary Fund released a forecast this week projecting that global GDP will grow just 2.8% — down half a percentage point since US President Donald Trump unleashed a raft of tariffs on April 2. Their projection for US GDP growth was particularly grim: Down nearly an entire percentage point from expectations earlier this year. And they’re not alone. As economists try to measure the potential outcome from the current trade war and the whiplash of on-again-off-again tariffs, Bloom...

Apr 23, 202516 min

The Chinese Toy Company Defying the Trade War

Chinese toy company Pop Mart is one of the hottest stocks this year thanks to the wild popularity of its Labubu dolls and other blind box toys. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg Opinion’s Shuli Ren about how the company’s business model could help it ride out the trade-war storm. Read more: China’s ‘Blind Box’ Magic Breeds Millions of Peter Pans Further listening: How China’s BYD Became King of the Affordable EV See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Apr 22, 202515 min

Can Trump Tell Powell ‘You’re Fired'?

President Trump’s attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell just keep coming. Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg’s Michael McKee and Saleha Mohsin join Sarah Holder and David Gura to ask: Can the president actually fire Powell? And what impact could his ongoing threats have on the US dollar and global financial markets? Read more: Markets Are Discovering the Real Trump Trade Is ‘Sell America’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 21, 202519 min

The Vibes Are Off. But Is It a Recession?

Amid tariff whiplash, renewed inflation concerns and turbulence in financial markets, Americans are left wondering: Do the economic vibes match our economic reality? And are we headed for a recession? Today on the show, Bloomberg senior markets editor and columnist John Authers joins host David Gura to discuss official and unofficial recession indicators and what the state of the economy tells us about what could be ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 18, 202516 min

Who Will Blink First in the US-China Trade War?

As the trade war between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping continues to escalate, economists around the world are asking who will blink first. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s John Liu and Jennifer Welch join host David Gura to discuss what it will take for both presidents to come to the negotiating table, how the current state of China’s economy impacts its positioning in the trade war and why hardball tactics are unlikely to work this time around. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Apr 17, 202519 min

A Rubber Company Supplying Top Tiremakers Faces Troubling Accusations

For years, a rubber and palm oil company that supplies some of the world’s top tiremakers has been dogged by allegations of sexual coercion at its plantations. Socfin — short for Société Financière des Caoutchoucs — says it has taken steps to improve matters, but an exclusive Bloomberg report shows those claims remain widespread. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg’s Sheridan Prasso to discuss her investigation into why the abuse has been so hard to stop — and...

Apr 16, 202520 min

Inside the Explosive Feud That Rocked Singapore’s Richest Family

For decades, Singapore’s Kwek family, owners of one of the city’s biggest developers, looked to be the model of a successful family-run business. But that image was shattered when the family patriarch filed a lawsuit against his son. On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Sheryl Lee and Dexter Low to examine what happened behind the boardroom doors of City Developments and how investors are navigating its fallout. Further listening: A New Breed of Scammer Is...

Apr 15, 202515 min

America Is Pumping The Brakes On EVs. GM Is Doubling Down.

It’s been a tough year for electric vehicles: Since President Trump took office for a second term, the US has started a complete 180 on its investment in EVs. And as Trump’s trade war continues, the industry is bracing for additional tariffs and disruption to supply chains. But one company is pushing forward: General Motors. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Detroit Bureau Chief David Welch and host David Gura examine the road ahead for GM’s big bet on electric, and what it means for future...

Apr 14, 202515 min

Forget the S&P or CPI. Meet the Bacon Egg and Cheese Index

When it comes to measuring economic pain, the cost of a humble breakfast sandwich might not be top of mind. But Bloomberg has an index that tracks the rising cost of a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, plus a cup of coffee. And this year, it’s reached record highs. On today’s Big Take podcast, we hear from people up and down the BEC supply chain — from a wheat farmer to a coffee roaster to a guy who turned his life-long love of eggs into a career. What does the most important meal of the day tell ...

Apr 11, 202520 min

What a Trade War Means for Your Money

It’s been a bewildering time for retail investors trying to make sense of global markets. In the week since President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs, markets have plunged, rebounded — and now, they’re sliding again. Meanwhile, the trade war between the US and China continues. Both announced severe new tariffs this week. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Charlie Wells and host Sarah Holder try to make sense of what all this uncertainty means for your money and dig into what experts recomm...

Apr 10, 202520 min

What the Heck Just Happened in the Bond Market?

It’s been a rollercoaster of a week for global markets. As President Trump goes back and forth about the size and scope of his tariffs, Bloomberg is watching one market especially closely: bonds. US Treasuries are widely seen as one of the world’s safest assets, especially in periods of financial volatility. But will they hold? On today’s episode of the Big Take DC, hosts Sarah Holder and Saleha Mohsin sit down with Bloomberg chief correspondent Liz Capo McCormick to unpack a week of sharp sello...

Apr 09, 202514 min

Why Asia Was Hit Hardest by Trump’s Tariff Onslaught

US President Donald Trump shocked the world -- and global markets -- with tariffs that exceeded expectations last week. But there was one region that was hit harder than most: Asia. Exporting powerhouses like China and Vietnam were slapped with some of the highest levies of any country, with China now facing an additional 50% tariff, bringing the total rate of its levies to more than 100%. On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg's John Liu in Beijing and John B...

Apr 08, 202518 min

The Trump Trade War’s First Casualty? The Bull Market

It's been a volatile few days across global markets. As the equity sell-off has deepened, a growing number of market strategists have revised down their targets for where the S&P 500 will be at the end of the year, and economists at several big banks have updated their forecasts. Today on the Big Take podcast, unpacking the seismic effect US President Trump’s tariffs announcement is having on markets. Bloomberg Opinion’s John Authers joins host David Gura to contextualize the market moves — ...

Apr 07, 202520 min

DNA and Bankruptcy Collide With 23andMe

The genetic testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March, after years of slowing sales, legal trouble, and a declining stock price. And now, the valuable trove of genetic data the company owns is for sale, sparking privacy concerns. On today’s Big Take, Bloomberg biotech reporter Gerry Smith traces the rise and fall of 23andMe, and bankruptcy reporter Jonathan Randles outlines what a possible sale could mean for millions of users’ genetic data. Read more: Bankrupt 23andMe’s DNA Data Get...

Apr 04, 202517 min

Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs. What’s Next

Trump announced the steepest American tariffs in more than a century, with a 10% tariff on all exporters to the US and even higher duties on some 60 nations. China now faces a tariff well above 50% on many goods. On today’s Big Take, Bloomberg reporter Josh Wingrove joins host David Gura to discuss Trump’s “huge” announcement, and how it will reshape global trade. Read more: Trump Tariffs Everyone, With Rate on China Set to Soar Above 50% Further listening: The World Is Paying for Trump’s China ...

Apr 03, 202521 min

As India’s Stock Market Surged, So Did Investment Scams

India’s historic stock market surge sparked a retail-investing frenzy that minted millionaires. But the boom also became a breeding ground for financial scams. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Alex Gabriel Simon about the retail investors that have been cheated out of their life savings, and how this influx of scams could undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote his nation’s stock market to global money managers. Read more: Scamsters Trick...

Apr 02, 202515 min

Princeton’s President Responds to Attacks on Higher Education

The Trump administration is targeting higher education. Colleges and universities across the United States are faced with the threat of funding freezes over their handling of free speech, anti-semitism and transgender issues, among other topics, on campus. Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber joins host David Gura to discuss the newly announced freeze on some federal grants, the role of academic research, Princeton’s commitment to free speech and more. See omnystudio.com/listener...

Apr 01, 202533 min

What We Know About Trump’s Planned Tariffs

President Donald Trump is calling April 2nd “Liberation Day” — that’s when the president says the world can expect the biggest salvo in his widening trade war. While the specifics are not yet clear, the symbolism is: Trump wants to usher in an era of American protectionist policy that could re-order global trade. Today on the show, Bloomberg’s Shawn Donnan joins host David Gura to discuss what we know about these new tariffs and the lessons from similarly broad tariffs in 1930. Plus, a new Bloom...

Mar 31, 202518 min

Levittown Episode 6: Warp Speed

In the series finale, our reporters try to crack the secretive companies behind nudify apps that let users create deepfakes in minutes. And a new case rocks another small town high school. Levittown is a real-life horror story for the AI generation. In this six-part series from Bloomberg, Kaleidoscope and iHeart Podcasts, reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy take listeners from quiet suburbs of New York to as far as New Zealand and into the darkest corners of the Internet. Where tech moves...

Mar 30, 202539 min

Levittown Episode 5: The Vigilantes

Kayla faces down her harasser in court. In New Zealand, an investigator summons a global army of hackers. Levittown is a real-life horror story for the AI generation. In this six-part series from Bloomberg, Kaleidoscope and iHeart Podcasts, reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy take listeners from quiet suburbs of New York to as far as New Zealand and into the darkest corners of the Internet. Where tech moves faster than the law, and it’s up to everyday people to hold back a rising tide of ...

Mar 29, 202541 min

Levittown Episode 4: 'How Is That Not Illegal'

An arrest in Levittown kicks off the next phase of an investigation. The central question for the prosecutors is: Is any of this a crime? And they’re on the clock. Levittown is a real-life horror story for the AI generation. In this six-part series from Bloomberg, Kaleidoscope and iHeart Podcasts, reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy take listeners from quiet suburbs of New York to as far as New Zealand and into the darkest corners of the Internet. Where tech moves faster than the law, and...

Mar 28, 202526 min
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