Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund prepares for a petrodollar windfall, while oil majors scale back their $18bn power generation push. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins testifying in a corruption trial, and public pension schemes and sovereign wealth funds plan to pour more money into private markets over the coming year. Mentioned in this podcast: Qatar’s $500bn wealth fund targets bigger deals as LNG windfall looms BP and Shell rein in electricity ambitions to escape ‘va...
Dec 11, 2024•11 min
Hiring has fallen more sharply in the UK than in other big economies over the past year, Vanguard will break its advisory business into a separate unit, and Israel has taken more Syrian territory. Plus, we take a look inside Japan’s audacious bid to become a semiconductor superpower. Mentioned in this podcast: Hiring falling more sharply in UK than in other major economies Israel draws furious reaction from Egypt after taking more Syrian territory Vanguard to accelerate wealt...
Dec 10, 2024•12 min
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has resigned and fled the country and South Korean prosecutors have opened an investigation into the country’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, on charges of treason and abuse of power. The EU and four South American countries have struck a blockbuster trade deal, and a US appeals court upheld a law requiring TikTok’s owner ByteDance to sell the platform or face a ban next year. Mentioned in this podcast: Assad flees Syria as rebels seize Damascus Syrian re...
Dec 09, 2024•11 min
The next superpower will be a tech superpower, and to be that superpower you need to have some control over the semiconductor industry which is driving the AI revolution. But almost all advanced semiconductors are made in Taiwan — and it is under constant threat of a Chinese invasion. President Joe Biden’s Chips Act promises lavish subsidies to companies working to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to US soil. Will those subsidies survive once Donald Trump, the president-elect, is in the Wh...
Dec 08, 2024•27 min
Donald Trump once called cryptocurrencies a “scam”. He’s long since changed his tune, and now, crypto enthusiasts are hoping he’ll catapult the industry into the financial mainstream. The FT’s digital markets correspondent Nikou Asgari and US legal and enforcement correspondent Stefania Palma join this week’s Swamp Notes to discuss what the industry could look like under a second Trump administration. Mentioned in this podcast: Crypto advocate Paul Atkins picked as SEC chair by Donald Trum...
Dec 07, 2024•17 min
Large companies rushed to assess whether top employees have sufficient protection after the murder of a US insurance executive, investors have pumped almost $140bn into US equity funds since last month’s election, and oil producer group Opec+ significantly scaled back its plans for production in 2025. In Mexico, new president Claudia Sheinbaum is doubling down on a radical agenda in the face of tough US tariffs. Plus, Notre-Dame reopens this weekend. Mentioned in this podcast: Shooting of United...
Dec 06, 2024•12 min
Donald Trump has nominated cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and a dramatic attempt to impose martial law in South Korea by its president has backfired. The French parliament voted to oust Prime Minister Michel Barnier and a UK-led operation has uncovered a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme. Plus, Google DeepMind has unveiled an artificial intelligence weather prediction model that outperforms traditional methods. Mentioned in...
Dec 05, 2024•12 min
The French government will face a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, South Korea’s president said he will lift his martial law order, and cryptocurrency ‘memecoins’ are having a moment. Plus, deaths in Africa’s Sahel region have risen since military juntas took over pledging to bring security in face of jihadi violence. Mentioned in this podcast: Michel Barnier ‘method’ at risk in raucous French parliament South Korea’s Yoon says he will lift martial law order Military juntas in Afri...
Dec 04, 2024•13 min
Chief executives at Intel and Stellantis stepped down, OpenAI is considering including advertising in its artificial intelligence products and the US unveiled new export controls in an effort to curtail China’s semiconductor industry. Plus, how Shanghai’s ambition to be the ‘future of finance’ fell apart. Mentioned in this podcast: Intel chief Pat Gelsinger quits with US chipmaker in crisis Why Stellantis’ chief executive Carlos Tavares was axed OpenAI explores advertising as it steps up revenue...
Dec 03, 2024•11 min
US government lawyers are clamouring for jobs at corporate law firms ahead of Donald Trump taking office, and Hizbollah declares victory against Israel despite undergoing the most devastating battering in its history. Russian and Syrian warplanes intensify attacks on rebels, and Airbus struggles to capitalise on rival Boeing’s difficulties. Plus, in Ireland, the incumbent Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael appear on track to form a fresh coalition. Mentioned in this podcast: Government lawyer...
Dec 02, 2024•12 min
Trump is returning to office with many of the same policies that characterised his last term. And for economists, none looms larger than the prospect of significant new tariffs. But are tariffs really as destructive as feared? After all, the Biden administration maintained most of them and the economy has remained strong. Today on the show, we put the question to Kimberly Clausing, a professor at UCLA, and formerly lead economist in the Biden administration's Office for Tax Policy. Soumaya Keyne...
Dec 01, 2024•33 min
French bond markets take a tumble, Russia threatens a hypersonic missile attack on Kyiv, and Ireland goes to the polls. Plus, Hong Kong’s crypto play. Mentioned in this podcast: Crime boss takes on Sinn Féin leader and Brussels veteran in Dublin election Hong Kong plans crypto tax break for hedge funds and billionaire families Vladimir Putin threatens to turn Kyiv targets ‘to dust’ French bond yields surpass Greece’s for first time as budget worries swirl The FT News Briefing is produced by Misc...
Nov 29, 2024•11 min
Vivendi prepares to spin off Canal+ for a London listing. Christine Lagarde says trade wars threaten global GDP. Sir Alex Younger, former head of UK’s MI6, discusses Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s proposed director of national intelligence. Plus, Adani Group’s infrastructure projects in Kenya hit a roadblock. Mentioned in this podcast: London’s snaring of France’s Canal+ to revive moribund listing market ‘Adios Adani!’ Bribery charges threaten group’s Africa ambitions The FT News Briefing ...
Nov 28, 2024•11 min
Israeli and Lebanese leaders agree to a ceasefire, and Mexico hits back at US president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff plans. Plus, President Joe Biden is rushing to cement his legacy during his final weeks in office, and Russia’s rouble has plummeted to its lowest rate against the dollar since the first weeks of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast: Ceasefire deal reached in Israel-Lebanon war Mexico hits back as Trump’s tariff threat shakes markets Bid...
Nov 27, 2024•10 min
The US Department of Justice is seeking to drop two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, and Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination for top health role is concerning the pharmaceutical industry. Plus, Italy’s UniCredit has launched a €10bn takeover bid for domestic rival Banco BPM, Brussels is planning to force Chinese companies to transfer intellectual property in return for EU subsidies and TikTok is creating an unlikely frontrunner in Romania’s presidential race. Mentioned in this pod...
Nov 26, 2024•11 min
Huawei is poised to launch its first flagship phone that can run its own apps, and Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Treasury is seen across Wall Street and Washington as a pragmatic pick. COP29 has produced a new global finance deal against considerable odds, and the FT’s Michael Stott warns that the US is being eclipsed by China in Latin America. Mentioned in this podcast: Huawei to launch flagship smartphone with breakthrough software ‘Sigh of relief’: Wall Street welcomes Donald...
Nov 25, 2024•12 min
Michael Clemens of George Mason University is an expert on the economics of migration, and a scholar of its history. With the newly elected President Trump promising to deport millions of immigrants, we thought it was the perfect time to talk about what illegal immigrants mean to the present economy and, more pressingly, what an economy without them might look like. If you want to learn more about The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes, click here . New episodes available on Apple , ...
Nov 24, 2024•31 min
Donald Trump mostly nominated mainstream conservatives to his first cabinet after the 2016 election. Some high-level appointees back then barely knew Trump, but this time around, he’s selected close allies and loyalists. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor, and Trump’s short-tenured former communications director Anthony Scaramucci join this week’s Swamp Notes to discuss what Trump’s picks say about how his new White House will operate. Mentioned in this podcast: Lutnick and Bes...
Nov 23, 2024•19 min
Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for US attorney-general, and billionaire Gautam Adani faces charges over an alleged scheme to bribe Indian officials. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and FT economics columnist Chris Giles unpacks just how much tariffs will increase prices in the US. Mentioned in this podcast: Matt Gaetz withdraws as Trump’s nominee for attorney-general Indian billi...
Nov 22, 2024•12 min
Nvidia’s third-quarter revenue almost doubled from a year ago, and UK inflation accelerated in October as energy prices rose. Disgraced Archegos founder Bill Hwang is sentenced to 18 years in prison for fraud, and China has prepared powerful countermeasures to retaliate against US companies if president-elect Donald Trump reignites a trade war. Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia revenue nearly doubles as AI chip demand remains strong UK inflation accelerates sharply to 2.3% in October &nbs...
Nov 21, 2024•11 min
Bridgewater is joining forces with State Street’s asset management arm to offer an ETF, Ukraine has struck a military target inside Russia using US-made long-range missiles for the first time, and Walmart’s third-quarter revenue beat forecasts. Plus, Asia’s arms makers and naval shipbuilders are leading a global surge in defence stocks. Mentioned in this podcast: Bridgewater opens strategy to retail investors through State Street ETF Ukraine strikes Russia with US-made long-range missiles ...
Nov 20, 2024•11 min
Israel says it struck a “specific component” of Iran’s nuclear programme last month, and US business leaders are warning Donald Trump’s deportation plan could create mass labour shortages. Vanguard’s retail shareholders can now vote for profit over ESG issues, and Chinese tech companies are building AI teams in Silicon Valley, despite Washington’s sanctions. Mentioned in this podcast: Netanyahu says Israel hit ‘specific component’ in Iran’s nuclear programme last month Business owners war...
Nov 19, 2024•10 min
President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to launch limited strikes into Russia using US-made long-range missiles, and the world’s largest economies are gathering in Brazil for a G20 summit overshadowed by Donald Trump. The US dollar is rallying, as markets expect that the next administration will reignite inflation. Meanwhile, the president-elect’s tariff proposals have sent European markets tumbling. Plus, offshore oil is back. Mentioned in this podcast: Biden allows Ukraine to strike Russia ...
Nov 18, 2024•12 min
Who will corporate America's winners and losers be under four more years of Donald Trump? This week, the FT’s Brooke Masters, Stephen Morris and Jamie Smyth explain what changes a second Trump administration will bring to three crucial sectors: Wall Street, tech and energy. This is an episode of the Financial Times podcast Behind the Money. If you like what you hear, click here to listen to more episodes . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: Can the ren...
Nov 17, 2024•21 min
The Democratic party is hardly monolithic. But if there’s one thing that’s kept it together over the past decade, it’s been a shared opposition to Donald Trump. Now that Trump is returning to the White House, how will the party try to win voters back? The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor and US national editor and columnist Ed Luce join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to discuss how the Democrats are thinking about the future. Mentioned in this podcast: ‘They don’t understa...
Nov 16, 2024•16 min
The Federal Trade Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into anti-competitive practices at Microsoft’s cloud computing business, and the FT’s Katie Martin explains why the post-election excitement around crypto comes down to vibes and vision. Plus, Disney’s earnings jumped 39 per cent, and Berkshire Hathaway has investors asking questions after filling its coffers by unwinding its most profitable trade. Mentioned in this podcast: FTC to investigate Microsoft over cloud dominance Bit...
Nov 15, 2024•12 min
Republican John Thune will be the next leader of the Senate, and the president-elect gets to work filling out his cabinet. Plus, US inflation rose to 2.6 per cent in October, as the Federal Reserve debates whether to cut interest rates next month. Plus, activist investor Effissimo Capital Management has taken a stake in struggling carmaker Nissan. Mentioned in this podcast: John Thune elected to Senate leadership in rebuke to Trump allies Donald Trump picks Matt Gaetz as attor...
Nov 14, 2024•10 min
Donald Trump’s ‘hush money’ case has been paused, Ukraine has been building on its ‘victory plan’ for his incoming administration and SoftBank reported that it is profitable again. Plus, Wall Street has loaned billions of dollars to a niche group of tech companies based on their possession of Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chips. Mentioned in this podcast: New York judge delays decision on Donald Trump’s ‘hush money’ sentencing Ukraine seeks to win over Trump with natural resources and troop p...
Nov 13, 2024•11 min
Calendar year inflows in to exchange traded funds surpassed their previous full-year record at the end of October, and we look at how Donald Trump’s win ushers in a new era for Elon Musk. Plus, rival groups of bondholders are vying to extend loans to the troubled UK utility Thames Water. Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk’s gamble on Donald Trump pays off How Thames Water became a battleground for hedge funds ETF flows smash full year record The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe...
Nov 12, 2024•11 min
Donald Trump’s election victory has sent shockwaves across the renewable energy industry, and China has announced fiscal stimulus to bail out local governments. Bitcoin hit $80,000 for the first time as cryptocurrency investors anticipate looser regulations under Trump, and Argentina’s legal battles could complicate President Javier Milei’s attempts to fix the country’s struggling economy. Mentioned in this podcast: Trump election victory deals blow to US clean energy industry ...
Nov 11, 2024•11 min
