Rishi Sunak has taken a huge gamble by announcing a July 4 election, record sales of artificial intelligence chips sent Nvidia’s revenue soaring 262 per cent in the past quarter Adani Group passed off low-quality coal as far more expensive cleaner fuel in transactions with an Indian state power utility, according to evidence seen by the Financial Times, and the first batch of genetically engineered non-biting mosquitoes will be released in Djibouti on Thursday. Mentioned in this podcast: Rishi S...
May 23, 2024•10 min
UK deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden went on a secret trip to the UAE, PwC is bracing for penalties over its audit of collapsed Chinese property developer Evergrande, and traders are anticipating huge swings in Nvidia shares after the company reports earnings on Wednesday. Mentioned in this podcast: UK launches charm offensive with UAE after relations sour PwC partners brace for Chinese punishment over Evergrande audit Traders brace for big swings in Nvidia shares EU trade deficit with C...
May 22, 2024•12 min
The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has dealt a shocking blow to the Islamic regime, and the public mood in advanced countries remains low as the cost of living crisis keeps households under pressure. Plus, the decision by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to apply for arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is a huge setback for Israel. Mentioned in this podcast: The Rachman Review podcast A crushing blow for Israel and a massive gamble ...
May 21, 2024•12 min
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday, Niger is on the verge of becoming a regional oil major, and western countries are trying to replace a UN body that monitors compliance with international sanctions on North Korea. Mentioned in this podcast: Helicopter carrying Iran’s president crashes Border dispute hinders Niger’s China-built oil pipeline Russia has stopped UN from monitoring North Korea sanctions. Who is watching Kim? The FT News Briefing is produce...
May 20, 2024•11 min
A special live recording of the FT News Briefing at the FT Weekend Festival in Washington, DC on May 4, 2024. Our wonderful colleagues played a friendly game of news trivia. How does your knowledge stack up? The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive produce...
May 19, 2024•20 min
Joe Biden once criticised Donald Trump’s trade war with China, but things look a lot different in an election year. The FT’s US climate reporter, Aime Williams, and US financial editor, Brooke Masters, join Swamp Notes to explain why the president announced such sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods this week, and how it could help him win votes. Mentioned in this podcast: Why Washington’s new tariffs on Chinese clean tech goods matter Joe Biden and Donald Trump battle to prove who can be...
May 18, 2024•12 min
The US Supreme Court rejects an existential legal challenge to the country’s top consumer finance watchdog, a $10bn US property fund is running low on liquidity as investors demand their money back, and Russia and China agree to tighten military ties and deepen their economic partnership after talks in Beijing. Plus, central banks around the world are impatiently waiting for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Mentioned in this podcast: US Supreme Court rejects challenge...
May 17, 2024•11 min
The US inflation report sent stocks to record highs and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot on Wednesday. Plus, the FT’s John Reed explains why India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is so popular. Mentioned in this podcast: US inflation falls to 3.4% in April Slovak premier Robert Fico shot and injured Narendra Modi launches candidacy in India’s marathon election How to understand Modi’s India CREDIT: Sansad TV The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Brou...
May 16, 2024•11 min
The Biden administration is encouraging Arab states to participate in a multinational force that could deploy in Gaza once the war ends, Anglo American plans to thwart BHP’s £34bn takeover bid by breaking itself up, and the US is sharply raising tariffs on Chinese imports from electric vehicles to solar cells. Plus, Singapore’s new prime minister has his work cut out. Mentioned in this podcast: US encouraging Arab states to join multinational postwar force in Gaza Anglo American plans brea...
May 15, 2024•10 min
The carmaker behind Fiat and Peugeot is in talks to invest in Indonesian nickel, the meme-stock movement came back to life, and Chinese authorities have kicked off plans to sell $140bn of long-dated bonds to stimulate the economy. Plus, what Russia’s new defence minister means for the country’s war effort Mentioned in this podcast: GameStop soars in meme stock flashback as ‘Roaring Kitty’ reappears Who is Andrei Belousov, Russia’s new defence minister? Stellantis in talks with Vale to inve...
May 14, 2024•10 min
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tries to revive Conservative morale with a speech in London, four Chinese generative artificial intelligence start-ups have been valued at more than $1bn in the past three months, and US shale oil companies are under the spotlight over allegations of manipulating prices. Plus, the frontrunner in Mexico’s presidential election is promising more of the same. Mentioned in this podcast: Rishi Sunak to warn Britain ‘at a crossroads’ as he readies Tories for election US s...
May 13, 2024•12 min
The US Federal Reserve is fiercely independent, but that doesn’t mean politicians always treat it that way. The FT’s US national editor, Edward Luce, and acting US economics editor, Claire Jones, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain how the central bank’s policy could affect the economy and therefore have an impact on the election result. Plus, why a second term for Donald Trump could put pressure on the Fed to play politics. Mentioned in this podcast: Trump’s dot plot for the Fed Jay Powell’...
May 11, 2024•13 min
Anglo American’s crucial South African shareholders are open to a takeover offer from BHP, Nippon Steel has vowed to push ahead with its $14.9bn acquisition of US Steel, and China’s President Xi Jinping has hailed Hungary as one of Beijing’s most important strategic partners. Plus, most pandemic corporate winners have turned into post-pandemic losers. Mentioned in this podcast: Anglo American’s South Africa investors open to improved BHP bid Nippon Steel predicts ‘calmer discussions’ with ...
May 10, 2024•10 min
Shares in Arm drop after it reports lacklustre revenue projections, Singapore is studying proposals to shake up its struggling stock market, EU countries have agreed to use an estimated €3bn in profits from Russia’s frozen state assets to buy weapons for Ukraine, and a newly expanded pipeline in Canada breathes life into the oil industry. Plus, hedge fund manager Sir Paul Marshall has lost a legal battle with the South African government over shipwrecked treasure. Mentioned in this podcast...
May 09, 2024•11 min
Reddit's first-quarter earnings as a listed company surpass expectations, Israel threatened to expand its military operation in Rafah, and TikTok filed a lawsuit against the US government to block a potential ban of the social media app. Plus, global trade growth is set to more than double this year as inflation eases and a booming US economy helps drive activity. Mentioned in this podcast: US revokes licences for supply of chips to China’s Huawei TikTok challenges divest-or-ban bill in US court...
May 08, 2024•9 min
SoftBank is leading an investment of more than $1bn into a UK self-driving car start-up, and poppy and marijuana farming money is disappearing from rural areas as traffickers shift to synthetic drugs. Plus, the FT’s Anna Nicolaou explains the rival bids to buy Paramount. Mentioned in this podcast: SoftBank leads $1bn funding for UK artificial intelligence group Wayve El Chapo’s opium heartland bereft as Mexico cartels embrace fentanyl Shari Redstone, a media scion weighing the future of he...
May 07, 2024•11 min
Warren Buffett said Greg Abel should have the final decision on investments at Berkshire Hathaway, the US and Europe disagree on how to manage Russia’s frozen assets, and Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Europe. Plus, college students in the US are calling for their universities to divest from Israel, but it’s not that simple. Mentioned in this podcast: Bonhomie and hardball: Xi Jinping visits Europe to avert trade war The clash over whether to commandeer Russia’s frozen assets Divestme...
May 06, 2024•12 min
Student-led protests against Israel’s war in Gaza have spread across the US in recent weeks, with demonstrators building tent encampments on university grounds, and even storming university buildings. The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and FT New York correspondent, Joshua Chaffin, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why the protests could hurt President Joe Biden’s re-election chances. Mentioned in this podcast: New York police storm Columbia University and arrest pro-Palestini...
May 04, 2024•14 min
Apple’s revenue fell 4 per cent in the first three months of 2024, Japan apparently intervened several times this week to support the yen, and US regulators have accused the former boss of the largest US shale oil producer of trying to collude with the Opec cartel. Plus, Europe solved its Russian gas problems in the short term, but created long-term problems. Mentioned in this podcast: Apple’s revenue weighed down by falling China sales Japanese government spent $35bn to prop up yen, BoJ figures...
May 03, 2024•11 min
The Federal Reserve has signalled that US borrowing costs are likely to remain higher for longer, and cruise operator Viking Holdings rose on its market debut. Plus the FT’s Owen Walker explains what the exit of HSBC chief executive Noel Quinn means for the bank’s China strategy. Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve signals that interest rates will remain higher for longer Cruise line Viking rises after launching year’s second-largest US IPO What triggered Noel Quinn’s shock exit fro...
May 02, 2024•9 min
Strong sales at Amazon’s cloud computing division helped the Big Tech giant beat analyst estimates for revenue and profit, private capital is playing a growing role in the green energy transformation, and foreign carmakers are teaming up with Chinese technology groups to compete in the local market. Mentioned in this podcast: Amazon’s strong cloud sales help power revenue gains Can private equity accelerate the green transition? Jeremy Hunt warns FCA against ‘naming and shaming’ busi...
May 01, 2024•12 min
Humza Yousaf is resigning as Scotland’s first minister, and WeWork’s senior creditors are poised to take control of the reorganised co-working space provider. Plus, an Africa-focused venture capital firm has steered one of the region’s biggest fundraising efforts of the past five months. Mentioned in this podcast: Humza Yousaf quits as Scotland’s first minister WeWork agrees restructuring deal that shuts out Adam Neumann’s comeback bid Africa-focused fund draws early investors to tech indu...
Apr 30, 2024•12 min
Financial companies scramble to rework contracts after US Federal Trade Commission rule bans non-compete agreements, the largest western banks that remain in Russia paid the Kremlin hundreds of millions of euros in taxes last year, and Turkey is in talks with the US energy supermajor ExxonMobil over a multibillion-dollar deal to buy liquefied natural gas. Plus, the message from Big Tech companies to investors about when AI will be profitable: be patient. Mentioned in this podcast: Ban on n...
Apr 29, 2024•12 min
The US Supreme Court set out to answer a big constitutional question on Thursday: can a president be charged for potential crimes committed while in office? The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and US legal and enforcement correspondent, Stefania Palma, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why the answer could determine the outcome of Donald Trump’s federal trials and the future of the American presidency. Mentioned in this podcast: US Supreme Court debates limits of presidential i...
Apr 27, 2024•13 min
Microsoft beat expectations for revenue and cloud sales, Alphabet shares rise by double-digits after first-quarter earnings beat expectations, markets are no longer fully confident of a US interest rate cut before September, and the EU is turning to draconian tactics to curb migration. Plus, a merger between mining giants BHP and Anglo American could get investors excited about the industry again. Mentioned in this podcast: Alphabet shares surge past $2tn after search giant unveils first e...
Apr 26, 2024•13 min
Meta’s revenues jumped by more than a quarter in the first three months of the year, Brussels raided the offices of a Chinese security equipment supplier, and earnings from Boeing reflected a slowdown of 737 Max production and compensation to customers. Plus, weapon shipments are heading to Ukraine after President Joe Biden signed a highly anticipated $95bn foreign aid bill. Mentioned in this podcast: Meta shares fall as it predicts higher expenditure on AI EU conducts ‘dawn raid’ on Chine...
Apr 25, 2024•11 min
Tesla reported a 9 per cent decline in first-quarter revenue, Spotify kicked off a more mature era for its business after years of freer spending, and the US Federal Trade Commission banned non-compete clauses for employees. Plus, international investors have rushed into Egypt’s debt after the most populous Arab nation secured a $55bn bailout. Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla revenue declines in first quarter as vehicle sales slow Spotify hits record quarterly profit as it enters ‘new phase’ US ...
Apr 24, 2024•12 min
The New York Stock Exchange is polling market participants on the merits of trading stocks around the clock, ByteDance ready to ‘move to the courts’ after the US pushes ahead with a bill demanding the Chinese parent sell its viral app in the country, and traders have built up bets that the Federal Reserve could actually raise interest rates. Plus, Goldman Sachs has relocated its head of financial institutions group for Europe from London to Paris. Mentioned in this podcast: Goldman Sachs moves s...
Apr 23, 2024•11 min
Tesla shareholders are bracing for the carmaker’s worst earnings performance in seven years, oil markets have remained steady as Middle East tensions rise, and China’s first-quarter GDP shows the effects of President Xi Jinping’s bet on manufacturing. Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla shareholders braced for worst results in 7 years Why oil prices remain steady even as Middle East tensions escalate Covid vaccine makers to clash in London over mRNA patent dispute China warns west of ‘surviva...
Apr 22, 2024•10 min
Both Donald Trump and Joe Biden made campaign stops last week in Pennsylvania, whose 19 electoral votes could decide the outcome of the 2024 election. But in a state with such a range of demographic groups, how can each find a message that will stick? The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and US political editor Derek Brower join to discuss. Credit: The Independent, The Times and the Sunday Times Mentioned in this podcast: Joe Biden’s speech to steel workers underscores uni...
Apr 20, 2024•13 min
