The Republicans swept to power in Tuesday’s election, winning the White House, the Senate, and probably the House of Representatives. Voter dissatisfaction with the economy played a big part in their success. The FT’s Washington bureau chief James Politi and global business columnist Rana Foroohar join this election week episode of Swamp Notes to explain why Democrats failed to deliver a convincing economic message, and what Donald Trump’s disruptive agenda could mean for the US economy. M...
Nov 09, 2024•20 min
US stocks rallied after Donald Trump’s election victory, but the euphoria could be short-lived if his policies drive up inflation. Plus, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has called for snap elections as early as January following the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s government, and Trump’s victory is set to cast a pall over the UN COP29 summit next week. Mentioned in this podcast: Risk assets rally but bond market views Donald Trump’s victory with caution Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for ...
Nov 08, 2024•10 min
Wall Street stocks hit a record high but investors dumped bonds after Donald Trump’s historic US election victory, and the FT’s Lauren Fedor explains what to expect from his agenda. In Europe, leaders have vowed to preserve a united front and work with Trump, and export-reliant economies across the world brace for his promised tariff increases. Mentioned in this podcast: US stocks hit record high after Donald Trump clinches victory Donald Trump elected US president in historic comeb...
Nov 07, 2024•10 min
A divided US electorate made their choice at the polls yesterday, after candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump spent a combined $3.5bn in their race for the White House. Plus, Germany’s government is in talks on next year’s budget amid fears the coalition could collapse. Mentioned in this podcast: US election 2024 live results: US voters make their choice in historically tight election Donald Trump and Kamala Harris spend $3.5bn in most expensive presidential election German vice-...
Nov 06, 2024•11 min
The dollar weakened on Monday as global markets reined in their bets on a victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election, and the Financial Times’ James Politi explains what to look out for as results trickle in. Plus, Spain’s prime minister is facing political backlash over the country’s historic flooding and the Nigeria-based fintech Moniepoint has gained “unicorn” status. Mentioned in this podcast: Dollar weakens as investors rein in bets on Trump victory Spain’s political le...
Nov 05, 2024•11 min
Chinese authorities are demanding wealthy individuals and companies double-check their taxes for unpaid liabilities, and the largest US companies are facing two starkly different financial futures after the election. The UK Conservative party elects right-wing Kemi Badenoch as leader, and share prices of clean hydrogen companies have collapsed due to delayed projects and dwindling demand. Mentioned in this podcast: China piles pressure on rich people and companies to cough up taxes ...
Nov 04, 2024•11 min
In a campaign full of twists and turns, one thing has stayed surprisingly steady: the polls. On this final pre-election episode of Swamp Notes, the FT’s senior data journalist Oliver Roeder and deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor explain why the polls have barely budged this cycle, and how Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are motivating their voters in the race’s final days. Mentioned in this podcast: One week to go: what is the state of the US presidential race? What the polls can’t...
Nov 02, 2024•16 min
Apple reported solid revenue growth in the past quarter , and investors are worried about the additional borrowing set out in UK chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget. The US warned that North Korean troops are expected to enter combat alongside Russia’s army in the coming days, and Spain is set to become the world’s fastest-growing major advanced economy this year. Mentioned in this podcast: Apple’s revenue beats Wall Street expectations on higher iPhone sales UK borrowing costs hit high...
Nov 01, 2024•9 min
Microsoft’s quarterly revenue rose 16% on strong cloud computing demand, the UK’s Labour party reveals bold tax increases and borrowing, and the US economy grew at an annualised rate of 2.8% in the third quarter. Plus, critics cry foul over a proof of citizenship law in Arizona. Mentioned in this podcast: Microsoft’s revenue beats estimates on strong cloud demand from AI boom Rachel Reeves announces £40bn tax increase in UK Budget Arizona’s proof of citizenship complicates vo...
Oct 31, 2024•13 min
Alphabet’s profit jumped 34 per cent in the third quarter, and Israel’s parliament approved legislation on Monday that will ban a UN agency for Palestinian refugees from operating within Israeli territory. The US and Taiwan are preparing to negotiate a new tax agreement, and mobile chip designer Arm may try to rival Nvidia. Mentioned in this podcast: Google’s profits beat expectations on strong cloud computing growth Israeli parliament passes law banning UN Palestinian refugee agency  ...
Oct 30, 2024•12 min
PwC’s business in Asia contracted sharply in the past year, Boeing announced a $19bn share sale to help avoid a credit rating downgrade, and Volkswagen plans a massive restructuring that includes shutting at least three German plants. Plus, fears of violence have left some US election boards struggling to hire poll workers. Mentioned in this podcast: PwC loses market share in Asia Boeing launches $19bn share sale to bolster finances and avoid downgrade Volkswagen plans to clo...
Oct 29, 2024•10 min
Iran has signalled that it will pursue a measured response to Israel’s latest strikes, and Georgia’s opposition has called for protests after the ruling Georgian Dream party claims victory. Plus, the possibility of Donald Trump’s trade war has hit the shares of export-sensitive European companies, and large investment funds are being forced to offload their shares in tech companies, or risk breaking US tax rules. Mentioned in this podcast: Iran’s supreme leader signals measured response to...
Oct 28, 2024•11 min
With the election just over a week away, Swamp Notes visited the University of Michigan to recap the final FT-Michigan Ross poll. Swamp Notes host Sonja Hutson is joined by the FT’s US managing editor Peter Spiegel, and Erik Gordon and Francine Lafontaine of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business to examine the poll results and explain why the economy remains top-of-mind for voters. Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump takes lead over Kamala Harris on US economy in final F...
Oct 26, 2024•33 min
Tesla shares leapt 22% after Elon Musk predicted an electric vehicle sales rebound, and Russia’s pitch for a US dollar alternative failed to excite Brics leaders. Plus, a major change to the open source technology model could be coming. Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla shares leap 22% after Elon Musk predicts sales rebound Vladimir Putin’s alternative to ‘weaponised’ dollar fails to excite Brics partners The bill is coming for tech’s open source free lunch The FT...
Oct 25, 2024•9 min
Boeing’s machinists voted on Wednesday to reject the company’s latest offer and the US has finalised long-awaited ‘open banking’ rules, hoping it will inject more competition into the market. Plus, Deutsche Bank reported a record third-quarter profit and artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic has built a virtual agent that can perform tasks on a computer. Mentioned in this podcast: Striking Boeing machinists reject offer as stand-off nears 6 weeks US rolls out ‘open banking’ rules to make sh...
Oct 24, 2024•11 min
Deloitte has cut about 250 UK employees and HSBC’s chief executive has announced an overhaul of the bank. The IMF has warned global protectionism will endanger the world’s growth outlook, as a possible Donald Trump victory in the US election raises the prospect of tariff increases. Plus, South Korea has called on Russia to stop the deployment of North Korean troops to fight in Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast: Deloitte axes 250 UK employees in performance-related cull HSBC chief Georges...
Oct 23, 2024•11 min
Share buybacks on mainland China’s biggest exchanges have soared to a record high this year, and Israel has attacked an Hizbollah-affiliated financial institution in Lebanon. Plus, Disney has appointed former Morgan Stanley boss James Gorman as its new chair, and a trip to America’s third-biggest shopping mall offers answers to what’s really going on in the US election. Mentioned in this podcast: Israel strikes Hizbollah-linked lender in Lebanon Disney sets new timetable to replace Bob Ige...
Oct 22, 2024•11 min
Trading in the world’s second-largest IPO of 2024 begins on Tuesday, but retail investors have given a lukewarm reception to Hyundai Motor India’s listing. A coalition of oil-producing African countries is seeking $5bn to fund projects on the continent, and Boeing’s largest labour union will vote on Wednesday whether to end a costly strike. Uber has explored a possible bid for Expedia, in what would be the company’s largest acquisition. Plus, Elon Musk pledges to pay $1mn per day to random regis...
Oct 21, 2024•11 min
The 2020 US election was one of the most contested in American history, and it culminated in an unprecedented attack on the US Capitol building by supporters of Donald Trump. FT data journalist Eva Xiao and US legal correspondent Joe Miller join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to explain how Trump and his allies are preparing to challenge the 2024 vote, and what election officials around the country are doing to prepare. Mentioned in this podcast: How Trump allies are sowing election doubts ‘The...
Oct 19, 2024•16 min
Israel says it has killed Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s leader and the architect behind the October 7 2023 attacks. Mixed quarterly earnings from chipmakers send tech stocks yo-yoing, and the European Central Bank has cut interest rates by a quarter-point, amid signs that growth and inflation are weakening. Plus, South Africa’s Government of National Unity works to resolve tensions as it passes its 100-day milestone. Mentioned in this podcast: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza, Israel says ...
Oct 18, 2024•11 min
Rights groups say Israel appears to be implementing a controversial plan to force Hamas into submission by laying siege to the north of Gaza. BHP’s chief executive met government officials in South Africa last week, fuelling speculation that the miner will resurrect its failed bid for rival Anglo American. Plus, the downfall of once-hyped genetic testing company 23andMe, and Prada launches in to spacesuit design. Mentioned in this podcast: More than 100 killed in Nigeria fuel tanker e...
Oct 17, 2024•11 min
Shares in ASML led a tech rout on Nasdaq on Tuesday after the chipmaker warned of a slower recovery in the semiconductor market, and Goldman Sachs’ quarterly profits jumped 45 per cent to $3bn, boosted by its equity trading business. Asian battery makers are racing to develop new generations of superfast charging for electric vehicles, and a growing list of cash-strapped companies are deferring loan repayments to private credit funds. Mentioned in this podcast: ASML shares drop sharply after war...
Oct 16, 2024•10 min
OpenAI is considering a largely untested company model to protect chief executive Sam Altman from outside interference, and virtually all global insurers now include at least one low-carbon transition goal within their investment plans. Millions of dollars in bets are being placed on the US presidential election following the lifting of a domestic betting ban last week. Plus, China’s deflationary pressures picked up in September with weaker than expected consumer and factory prices, and the 2024...
Oct 15, 2024•11 min
Russia has expanded the capacity of its shadow fleet of oil tankers despite western sanctions, and US bank stocks hit their highest level since before the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank on Friday, following better than expected quarterly earnings. Plus, the Eurozone’s weak economic growth and sluggish consumer prices have raised concerns about low inflation, and Argentina’s president Javier Milei is not ready to lift the country’s currency controls. Mentioned in this podcast: Russia’s shadow fl...
Oct 14, 2024•11 min
Both chambers of the US Congress are like the country they represent: narrowly divided. But while Democrats currently hold a one-seat Senate majority, Republicans are increasingly confident that they’ll take back control of the chamber after the election next month. The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and the Cook Political Report’s Senate and Governors editor, Jessica Taylor, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why this year’s Congressional map looks so good for Republicans.&nbs...
Oct 12, 2024•15 min
The French government has proposed a budget for next year with some €60bn worth of spending cuts and tax increases, and Hurricane Milton ploughed across Florida on Wednesday. US inflation fell to 2.4 per cent in September . Plus, we look ahead to Japan’s early elections later this month. Mentioned in this podcast: French PM unveils shock therapy in 2025 budget US inflation fell to 2.4% in September Hurricane Milton leaves millions without power after lashing Florida Japan’s new prime minis...
Oct 11, 2024•12 min
HSBC’s top-paid bankers to bear the brunt of cost-cutting restructuring, and the UK Conservative party leadership race has been whittled down to two rightwingers. Plus, Germany’s economy is expected to shrink, and the US government is considering seeking the break-up of Google to end its monopoly in search. Mentioned in this podcast: US weighs Google break-up in landmark antitrust case Jenrick vs Badenoch: Meet the next Conservative leader Germany expects economy to shrink in 2024 af...
Oct 10, 2024•10 min
The head of KPMG US says the industry urgently needs to make it easier to become an accountant, and the EU is suing Hungary’s government over a new security law it says is in breach of citizens’ fundamental rights. Plus, India races to extract as much oil as possible while there remains a market for crude. Mentioned in this podcast: KPMG US head says the industry urgently needs to make it easier to become an accountant India in rush to boost oil production before energy transition &...
Oct 09, 2024•11 min
Big bank bosses join a growing list of prominent financiers expected to skip COP29 next month, and Spain proposes a new mechanism to help harmonise the EU’s capital and credit markets. Plus, activist investor Starboard Value has built a $1bn position in struggling drugmaker Pfizer, and tens of thousands of striking machinists are threatening Boeing’s recovery. Mentioned in this podcast: “You only go to the party if everyone is going”: finance bosses shun COP29 Spain to propose mini-...
Oct 08, 2024•11 min
A new report forecasts that Donald Trump would raise the US debt by twice as much as Kamala Harris, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX is quietly opening up a new front in a global battle over a scarce and precious resource: radio spectrum. Plus, US partners at accounting firm EY have been told their pay for 2024 will be deferred, and a year after the October 7 attacks, international criticism of the Gaza war has led many Israelis to retreat inwards. Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump would raise...
Oct 07, 2024•12 min
