FT News Briefing - podcast cover

FT News Briefing

Financial Timesft.com
A rundown of the most important global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. Available every weekday morning.

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Episodes

Can Singapore remain Asia’s ‘safe haven’?

Instacart’s public listing this week is set to inch Nasdaq further ahead of the New York Stock Exchange in their closest fight for new listings in five years, and a build-up of leveraged bets has the potential to dislocate trading in the $25tn US Treasuries market. Plus, the FT’s Mercedes Ruehl explores whether an influx of Chinese migration and money to Singapore could threaten its status as a neutral safe haven.  Mentioned in this podcast: Nasdaq and NYSE fight closest listings battle in ...

Sep 19, 202310 min

A historic autoworkers strike

US auto workers are striking to protect workers against the move to electric vehicles, and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak won’t attend the climate ambition summit at the UN General Assembly this week. Plus, Instacart has raised the price range for its initial public offering following the success of Arm’s blockbuster debut.  Mentioned in this podcast: Strike pits US auto union in existential struggle over shift to electric vehicles Rishi Sunak decides against attending UN General Assembly In...

Sep 18, 202310 min

Digital cash and culture wars

Shares in chip designer Arm jumped by 25 per cent as it began trading on the Nasdaq exchange yesterday, and the European Central Bank has raised interest rates to an all-time high. Plus, the FT’s Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan explains how digital cash got caught up in the culture wars.  Mentioned in this podcast: Arm shares jump by 25% on first day of trading ECB raises interest rates to all-time high How digital cash got caught up in the culture wars Tell us: How will the US student loan r...

Sep 15, 20239 min

CEO exit throws wrench into BP

Rising energy costs pushed US inflation above forecasts in August, Bernard Looney’s resignation from BP puts the oil company’s green energy transition into doubt, and China is walking back a corruption crackdown in the country’s healthcare sector.  Mentioned in this podcast: US inflation rises in August as petrol prices jump BP chief Bernard Looney resigns over past relationships with colleagues Bernard Looney’s exit throws BP’s strategy into doubt China’s corruption crackdown rips through ...

Sep 14, 202310 min

IPO within Arm’s reach

BP’s chief executive Bernard Looney is resigning and SoftBank’s Arm is set to hit the public market on Thursday. Plus, we look at why Germany’s economy is stalling and how its economic woes are hurting its neighbours.  Mentioned in this podcast: BP chief Bernard Looney resigns over past relationships with colleagues Arm targets valuation of up to $52bn in IPO Olaf Scholz vows to cut bureaucracy as German economic woes mount Polish zloty’s fall highlights tricky balancing act of central bank...

Sep 13, 202311 min

Coming soon: Can AI help us speak to animals?

Some scientists believe that rapid advances in artificial intelligence may also hold the key to decoding animal sounds, allowing us to ‘translate’ them into human language. In a new season of Tech Tonic, FT innovation editor John Thornhill and series producer Persis Love explore how the same technology that powers ChatGPT is being applied to research in animal communication. Could we one day learn to ‘speak whale’ or even chat with bats? And if so, can we trust ourselves to do so responsibly? Su...

Sep 12, 20231 min

Why the euro is on a losing streak

Norway’s $1.4tn sovereign wealth fund has become the biggest shareholder in UBS, a landmark antitrust trial between Google and the US government starts today, and the FT’s Mary McDougall explains why the euro is having such a tough time.  Mentioned in this podcast: Norway’s $1.4tn oil fund becomes top UBS shareholder  Google prepares for biggest US antitrust showdown since Microsoft Euro suffers eight-week losing streak as economy falters Will the ECB deliver one more rate rise? The FT...

Sep 12, 20239 min

India shines at G20 summit

PwC is planning to give up tens of millions of dollars of consulting work for its US audit clients, Australia’s biggest pension fund is going big on digital infrastructure, and Venezuelan government bonds are having a moment. Plus, the FT’s John Reed explains why this year’s G20 summit was a huge win for India.  Mentioned in this podcast: G20 backs bigger role for reformed World Bank PwC to curtail consulting work for US audit clients to reduce conflict risk Western nations accept ‘climbdow...

Sep 11, 202311 min

Biden courts India at G20

India hosts the G20 summit this weekend, Germany is pushing the European Commission to postpone tariffs on electric vehicle sales between the UK and the EU, Apple shares are taking a beating, and Huawei has seen a resurgence despite sanctions from the United States.    Mentioned in this podcast: Joe Biden pushes for bigger World Bank to combat China’s rising influence Germany backs EV tariff delay in boost to Sunak US to check on chips used in Huawei’s ‘Made in China’ smartphone Apple ...

Sep 08, 202310 min

EU pushes back on ‘too big to care’ tech companies

US and European corporate bond markets have started September with a bang, the EU released a list of digital services that will have to comply with the bloc’s new regulations, and the FT’s Alice Hancock explains how Europe’s drought is hitting the agriculture and energy industries.  Mentioned in this podcast: US and European companies rush to issue debt before rate decisions Big Tech faces fresh legal obligations as Brussels lists services bound by new rules Retail investors power into uran...

Sep 07, 202311 min

Ukraine doubles down on counteroffensive

The EU’s competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager is stepping aside, and the UK has clawed back less than 2 per cent of losses owing to fraud and error on business grants during the Covid-19 pandemic. Plus, Ukraine is doubling down on its counteroffensive.  Mentioned in this podcast: Didier Reynders to take over as EU competition chief UK government ‘slow to take action’ on Covid-19 grant losses, say MPs Military briefing: Kyiv ignores calls for reset of its ‘sneak and peek’ tactics Trav...

Sep 06, 202310 min

Solving America’s shortage of accountants

Lloyds Banking Group joins HSBC and US group Citi in ordering employees back into the office, a shortage of accountants is causing problems in the US and Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, is caught up in a scandal over expensive jewellery from his time in office. Plus, the FT’s Courtney Weaver on the FT’s latest podcast series, ‘The Russian Banker’, about a controversial Russian financier who fled to the US. Mentioned in this podcast: Shortage of young accountants leads BDO USA to doubl...

Sep 05, 202310 min

Secret paper trail reveals hidden Adani investors

Global growth is set to slow next year after outperforming economists’ expectations so far in 2023, American mothers are re-entering the workforce at high rates, and the Hollywood strikes are starting to bite into California’s economy. Plus, the FT’s Dan McCrum unpacks his latest investigation into India’s Adani Group.   Mentioned in this podcast: Economists grow gloomier on 2024 as central banks delay rate cuts Adani shares slide and politicians demand action after reports on hidden i...

Sep 04, 202310 min

The ECB is in a pickle

UBS has reported the biggest-ever quarterly profit for a bank, eurozone core inflation has edged down, and Switzerland has proposed sweeping measures to clamp down on money laundering.  Mentioned in this podcast: UBS breaks record with $29bn profit after Credit Suisse deal ‘Deal of the century’ — How UBS’s rescue of Credit Suisse proved a boon Eurozone core inflation edges down ahead of crunch ECB decision Switzerland unveils money laundering clampdown FT Weekend festival promo code: FTPodc...

Sep 01, 202311 min

Another coup in Africa

Military officers in oil-rich Gabon said they had seized power, US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo wrapped up a visit to China, and the billionaire founder of Apple supplier Foxconn is running for president of Taiwan.  Mentioned in this podcast: Fed warned Goldman Sachs over risks and compliance oversight at fintech unit Military leaders seize power in oil-rich Gabon US commerce secretary hails ‘new approach’ to handling China business frictions Foxconn founder Terry Gou launches bid for T...

Aug 31, 20239 min

Why Europe can’t quit Russian energy

The EU is set to import record volumes of liquefied natural gas from Russia this year, asset management firm Grayscale won a US court ruling to launch an exchange traded fund tracking bitcoin, and Goldman Sachs has used a fund set up with Chinese state money to buy a series of US and UK companies.   Mentioned in this podcast: EU imports record volumes of liquefied natural gas from Russia Grayscale scores major court win against SEC on bitcoin ETF  Goldman Sachs bought UK and US co...

Aug 30, 20239 min

An unlikely alliance in Brazil

Goldman Sachs plans to sell one of its personal financial management divisions, Brazil's president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is close to sealing an unlikely alliance, and the European defence industry is struggling to keep up with demand for ammunition for the Ukraine war. Plus, European Council president Charles Michel proposes a target date for adding new members to the EU. Mentioned in this podcast: Goldman Sachs sells financial planning unit as part of consumer retreat El Niño’s storm clou...

Aug 29, 20239 min

In search of a new economic playbook

Chinese corporate earnings reports are forecast to log poor performance and companies are set to downgrade outlooks, and policy makers walked away from Jackson Hole acknowledging they need to adjust to the changing global economy. Plus, the FT’s Jamie Smyth explains why Ireland is still in a good position for the life science industry boom despite a higher corporate tax. Mentioned in this podcast: Chinese companies’ earnings to lay bare impact of economic slowdown ‘No playbook’: policymakers fac...

Aug 28, 202310 min

Putin breaks his silence on Prigozhin

Russia's leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday publicly said warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was dead, the emerging markets group Brics has invited six more countries to join, and Turkey’s central bank has sharply boosted interest rates. Plus, biomedical companies are under more pressure to stop using horseshoe crabs for testing.  Mentioned in this podcast: Putin says Prigozhin is dead in first Kremlin reaction to plane crash Brics leaders invite 6 nations including Saudi Arabia to join bloc Turkey r...

Aug 25, 202310 min

Wagner group’s Prigozhin presumed dead

Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has reportedly died after a plane crash north-west of Moscow, Nvidia’s revenue more than doubled in the latest quarter on soaring demand, and US regulators are imposing tougher disclosure rules on private funds. Plus, the FT’s Eli Meixler unpacks the latest developments in Thailand’s government.  Mentioned in this podcast: Yevgeny Prigozhin in fatal plane crash, Russian officials say Nvidia’s AI boom exceeds Wall Street’s lofty hopes US regula...

Aug 24, 20238 min

All eyes on Jackson Hole

Markets are looking for signals from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell during this week’s Jackson Hole symposium, global stock markets have lost about $3tn in value this month and there has been a mixed reaction to China’s approach to monetary policy.  Mentioned in this podcast: Central bankers to make ‘higher-for-longer’ rate pitch at Jackson Hole Global stocks head for worst month in nearly a year China’s rate caution shines light on $56tn banking system Credit: Fox News Brian Kilmeade:...

Aug 23, 20239 min

Can Arm’s listing reignite the IPO market?

Description:  The sell-off in US government debt continued to hit the world’s largest bond market on Monday, and Silicon Valley start-ups are wondering whether Arm’s listing will reignite the IPO market. Plus, the FT’s foreign editor, Alec Russell, explains why a new geopolitical order is emerging.  Mentioned in this podcast: US Treasury yields hit 16-year high on fears over interest rate outlook Silicon Valley start-ups revive listing plans as Arm reignites IPO market The à la carte w...

Aug 22, 20239 min

Drought causes headaches for Panama Canal

Some of private equity’s biggest names are handing over companies they own to the lending arms of rivals, and Iran is dealing with the consequences of ultra-cheap petrol. Plus, the FT’s Christine Murray explains how the shipping industry is dealing with a severe drought that’s slowing down traffic through the Panama Canal.  Mentioned in this podcast: Private equity firms hand over assets to creditors as distress rates rise Iran grapples with unintended consequences of ultra-cheap petrol Sev...

Aug 21, 20239 min

Saudi Arabia and UAE race to buy computer chips

US mortgage rates have soared to a 21-year high, US retailer earnings reports send mixed messages on consumer spending, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are buying up thousands of the high-performance Nvidia chips crucial for building artificial intelligence software.  Mentioned in this podcast: Walmart sales rise as inflation keeps consumers hunting for bargains Target sales hit by Pride backlash and consumer caution Saudi Arabia and UAE race to buy Nvidia chips to power AI am...

Aug 18, 202310 min

Introducing: The Russian Banker

Who is Sergei Leontiev? To the US asylum system, he’s an exiled Russian banker who was persecuted by the state and forced to flee. To Russia, he’s said to be responsible for massive fraud.  On The Russian Banker, a new series from the Financial Times, reporters Courtney Weaver and Stefania Palma try to uncover the truth, and find a story that tells us about Russia today and how people in the west build stories about who’s good and who’s bad. The Russian Banker is a special series ...

Aug 17, 20232 min

New pain for China’s property sector

Lower gas and electricity costs drove a sharp drop in headline UK inflation in July, Fitch Ratings has downgraded WeWork, and there’s increasing anxiety in China over the real estate sector’s stability.  Mentioned in this podcast: UK inflation slows to 6.8% in July as energy prices fall WeWork credit rating cut further into junk territory by Fitch Retail investors complain to Chinese regulator about Zhongzhi Country Garden crisis brings new pain to China’s property sector Looking for a fres...

Aug 17, 20239 min

A year of the Inflation Reduction Act

US stocks hit a five-week low as a warning of potential Fitch downgrades sent bank shares lower, Beijing is making one of its biggest top-down efforts in years to tackle the debts racked up by local governments, and a year after passage of the US Inflation Reduction Act and Chips Act the vast majority of investment is going to red states.  Mentioned in this podcast: US and European stocks hit five-week lows after strong retail sales data China sends finance experts to tackle regions’ debts ...

Aug 16, 202310 min

A looming ESG crackdown

A surprise election result in Argentina spooked markets, iPhone manufacturer Foxconn is trying to pivot to India, and it looks like there’s a US regulatory crackdown looming for the sustainable investing world.  Mentioned in this podcast: Argentina’s markets roil after shock primary election results iPhone maker Foxconn’s cautious pivot to India shows limits of ‘China plus one’ UBS pays $1.4bn to settle US mortgage bond mis-selling case SEC lawyers subpoena fund managers over ESG disclosure...

Aug 15, 20238 min

The new commodity superpowers

The rouble has fallen to a 16-month low against the dollar, airlines have joined forces with farmers to lobby in Washington so that corn helps power their planes, and growing demand for minerals used in green technology is starting to shake up the geopolitics of the energy world.  Mentioned in this podcast: Rouble hits 16-month low as military spending rises and exports fall US airlines ally with farmers to seek subsidies for corn as jet fuel The new commodity superpowers The FT News Briefi...

Aug 14, 20239 min

Peak social media: The future

In the final episode of this Tech Tonic season, FT correspondents weigh in on the trends that will determine the future of social media. From Meta’s Threads to artificial intelligence, we ask how platforms will look and feel in years to come. The FT’s deputy Lex editor, host Elaine Moore, speaks with social media reporter Cristina Criddle, global technology correspondent Tim Bradshaw and San Francisco-based tech reporter Hannah Murphy. Plus, we hear from Evan Henshaw-Plath, one of the creators o...

Aug 12, 202321 min