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.
As US President Donald Trump dismantles agencies and challenges institutions across the federal government, Democrats still can’t decide how to oppose him. The FT’s global business columnist Rana Foroohar and Washington reporter Steff Chavez join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to discuss why Democrats’ inability to pick a strategy can prove costly. Mentioned in this podcast: The Democrats must make a choice Top Senate Democrat to back Republican bill to avert government shutdown Sign up for the...
European countries are considering how to take on greater responsibilities for the continent’s defence, the UK and the US are negotiating a trade deal to avoid tariffs, and has the Federal Reserve stopped leading the way on global monetary policy? Mentioned in this podcast: European military powers work on 5-10 year plan to replace US in Nato UK races to avoid worst of Trump tariffs with talks on tech tax What’s at stake in the US-UK trade talks? Newsletter: Chris Giles on Central Banks The FT N...
The Federal Reserve is still in wait-and-see mode, a handful of technology start-ups are expected to go public next month, and Turkish police have detained the main political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Plus, the campaign for International Olympic Committee president has shone a harsh light on the organization’s business model. Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve cuts US growth forecast as Trump’s policies weigh on outlook Tech groups boost IPO revival hopes despite mark...
Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia’s military to refrain from striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days, and the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was broken after Israeli strikes killed more than 400 people on Tuesday. Boeing’s rescue mission highlights the company’s struggles in space. Plus, Germany’s parliament approves Friedrich Merz’s plans to boost defence spending. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin agrees 30-day halt to strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in call with Trump Israel st...
Vladimir Putin has allowed a group of western asset managers and hedge funds to offload Russian securities left in limbo by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, an FT analysis found that US listings often fail to boost companies’ valuations, and the Financial Conduct Authority is to ban Crispin Odey from the financial services industry. Plus, tech giant Jack Ma used artificial intelligence to fuel a major turnaround at Alibaba. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin lets western investors sell some Russian s...
HSBC and UBS are expanding their wealth management arms in India, and the consulting boom in Saudi Arabia is slowing down. Plus, global gold prices have soared on fears that President Donald Trump could impose tariffs on gold imports, and US retailers are preparing for fewer sales in 2025. Mentioned in this podcast: HSBC and UBS expand India wealth management arms after IPO boom Gold hits $3,000 for first time on global growth fears From London to New York via Switzerland: the booming trade in g...
This week, the value of the American dollar continued to decline. The plunge has been attributed to market volatility over President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs. But there are some on Trump’s economic team who have floated wanting to weaken the dollar intentionally. FT economics columnist Gillian Tett and Unhedged host Katie Martin join to discuss why the chaos that’s keeping investors worried may be a feature, not a bug. Mentioned in this podcast: Unhedged Podcast What a Mar-a-La...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated Moscow is unwilling to drop its maximalist demands over any deal to halt the fighting in Ukraine, and Intel’s new chief executive has made investors excited. Plus, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in a tough spot over how he handles tariffs from the US. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin voices doubts over US proposal for Ukraine ceasefire Intel shares soar after troubled chipmaker appoints Lip-Bu Tan as CEO ‘Whatever you charge, I’m charging’:...
Elon Musk’s efficiency drive failed to prevent US federal spending rising to a record $603bn in February, European battery maker Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, and US inflation fell to 2.8% last month. Plus, China’s plan to revive Africa’s ‘freedom railway’ showcases Beijing’s leaner approach to overseas aid. Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk’s cuts fail to stop US federal spending hitting new record Northvolt files for bankruptcy in Sweden US inflation fell more than expected ...
The S&P 500 dipped into correction territory on Tuesday and Nissan has pushed out chief executive Makoto Uchida in the wake of the collapse of merger talks with Honda. Plus, banks are trying to catch up to one of the hottest trends in consumer finance: interest-free buy now, pay later loans. Mentioned in this podcast: Ukraine says it is willing to accept 30-day US-brokered ceasefire Wall Street sell-off pulls S&P 500 into correction territory Nissan pushes out chief Makoto Uchida after c...
Wall Street stocks fell on Monday, and Pimco has recorded a 17% paper profit on its portion of a £3bn emergency loan that it and others are set to provide to ailing utility Thames Water. Plus, hundreds of people have been killed in Syria after clashes between pro-government and pro-Assad forces escalated into sectarian violence. Mentioned in this podcast: Wall Street stocks tumble as investors fret over US economic slowdown Is this dotcom bust 2.0? US condemns Syria violence after hundreds kille...
Canada’s Liberal party selects a new leader, and US President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Justice Department’s antitrust division is turning heads on Wall Street. Plus, US startups are raising more money than at any point since 2021, and why a gold boom in Ghana is driving up global chocolate prices. Mentioned in this podcast: Mark Carney to replace Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister Trump nominee unites right and left with tough antitrust view The illegal gold miners driving up gl...
This episode of Swamp Notes discusses the growing rift between the U.S. and Europe under Trump's policies, focusing on defense, trade, and overall transatlantic relations. Gideon Rachman analyzes the implications of reduced U.S. support for Ukraine and Europe's increasing efforts towards self-sufficiency, including Germany's significant defense spending boost and potential economic shifts. The conversation explores whether Europe can emerge stronger from this 'divorce' and the potential long-term consequences for global alliances.
This episode of the FT News Briefing covers a range of financial and geopolitical topics. It begins with discussion of Donald Trump's crypto venture and its implications, then shifts to market reactions to Trump's tariff policies and Germany's debt plans. The episode concludes with analysis of the ECB's interest rate cut and the EU's increased focus on defense spending and support for Ukraine amidst changing transatlantic relations.
This episode discusses the US giving carmakers a one-month tariff reprieve, BlackRock's acquisition of Panama Canal ports amid Trump's interest, Germany's rising borrowing costs following a historic debt deal, and the Canadian Liberal Party's leadership election spurred by Trump's hostility towards Canada.
This episode discusses Taiwan's efforts to maintain US support under a potentially less favorable Trump administration, drawing parallels to Ukraine's situation. It also covers the recent decline in the private equity industry and how businesses are increasingly purchasing renewable energy directly from wind and solar farms, compensating for reduced government subsidies.
This episode of the FT News Briefing covers the suspension of US military aid to Ukraine, the potential impact of tariffs on the Chevrolet Silverado, and the recent drop in Eurozone inflation. It also explores why US defense stocks are underperforming compared to their European counterparts amid changing geopolitical priorities and potential budget cuts.
This episode covers European leaders seeking a Ukraine peace deal after a US fallout, Deutsche Bank's clashes with the ECB over risk management, and Donald Trump's announcement impacting cryptocurrency markets. It also discusses the challenges facing the US housing market due to high interest rates and immigration policy uncertainty.
This week, the White House said it would pick which reporters would get access to Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the US president has sued several press outlets for what he considers unfair coverage. Can the media do its job in this political landscape? The FT’s Washington bureau chief James Politi and Los Angeles bureau chief Chris Grimes examine the media climate. Mentioned in this podcast: White House to choose which reporters get close access to Donald Trump Donald Trump vs the media: US president...
US President Donald Trump has said his administration is working on a trade deal with the UK , Santander’s incoming chief accounting officer is under criminal investigation in Brazil, and the pound is rebounding. Plus, DeepSeek’s advances have sparked a nationwide push in China to deploy its large language models everywhere from hospitals to local governments. Audio credit: The Independent Mentioned in this podcast: Trump says US is working on trade deal with the UK Sterling outshines rivals on ...
Nvidia’s revenues soared in the quarter to the end of January as demand for its AI-focused chips boomed, healthcare costs are dragging down the Chinese economy, and BP is turning its main focus back to fossil fuels. Plus, America’s investors are putting money in English football’s lower leagues. Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia revenues jump almost 80% on booming AI chip sales Why ‘catastrophic’ medical bills are hurting China’s economy BP pivots back to oil and gas after ‘misplaced’ faith in g...
Kyiv has agreed terms with Washington on a minerals deal, and finance ministers from many of the world’s largest economies are poised to skip Group of 20 meetings in South Africa this week. Plus, Unilever is replacing its chief executive and the FT’s Hannah Murphy explains why Silicon Valley is veering to the conservative right. Mentioned in this podcast: Unilever ousts chief Hein Schumacher after less than two years Tech titans stand with Donald Trump to kill off activism in Silicon Valley Ukra...
The US and Europe battled in the UN and G7 over whether to blame Russia for its war against Ukraine, German election winner Friedrich Merz faces serious hurdles to boosting defence spending, and Apple said it planned to hire an additional 20,000 staff in the US over the next four years. Plus, US commodities trader Archer Daniels Midland has pledged to stick with its climate commitments, despite looser regulations under President Donald Trump. Mentioned in this podcast: Europe and US clash over U...
The center-right Christian Democrats won the most votes in Germany’s election, and the US stock market had its worst day in two months on Friday. Britain and India will relaunch talks on a long-awaited trade deal, plus, China’s holdings of US Treasuries have fallen to their lowest level since 2009. Mentioned in this podcast: Friedrich Merz set to become Germany’s next chancellor, exit polls say US stocks post worst slide in two months on gloomy economic data China’s holdings of US Treasuries fal...
US President Donald Trump’s executive order this week seeks to “rein in” independent federal agencies by requiring them to submit draft regulations for review. The FT’s US managing editor Brooke Masters and our legal and enforcement correspondent Stefania Palma discuss what the new measures mean for the business community. Mentioned in this podcast: Trump makes push for control of independent US regulators US dealmaking suffers worst start to a year in a decade amid Trump volatility Sign up for ...
Investors are urging the EU to make sweeping reforms to its debt securitisation market, Walmart has staged a major comeback, and Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba reported its fastest revenue growth in more than a year. Plus, the FT’s John Paul Rathbone explains how Europe could defend itself should Donald Trump pull US military assets. Mentioned in this podcast: Investors call for shake-up of Europe’s ‘failed’ securitisation market How Europe can defend itself without US help How a resurgent Walm...
KKR has submitted a preliminary bid to take a majority stake in Thames Water, and HSBC set out its cost cuts in its annual earnings report yesterday. UK inflation hit a 10-month high. Plus, Germany has lost half a million manufacturing jobs since 2020. Mentioned in this podcast: German manufacturing job losses deepen fears over industrial decline UK inflation rises to 10-month high of 3% in January HSBC sets out scale of cost cuts under chief executive’s restructuring plan KKR submits £4bn bid t...
The US and Russia have agreed to ‘lay the groundwork for future co-operation’ on ending the Ukraine war, and US president Donald Trump has his eyes on Ukrainian mineral deposits. Plus, developers of small modular nuclear reactors have raised at least $1.5bn in funding over the past year thanks to AI data centers. Mentioned in this podcast: US and Russia agree to ‘lay the groundwork’ for ending Ukraine war The Ukrainian mineral riches in Donald Trump’s sights Big Tech’s AI ambitions deliver fundi...
Tesla risks being caught up in the China-US trade war, while US officials head to Saudi Arabia to start peace talks over Ukraine. Indonesia reaches “Opec status” as it dominates the global nickel trade. Plus, the US-India deal signals a bonanza for US gas imports. Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla braces for delay to China licence as Trump trade tensions mount The ‘Opec’ of nickel: Indonesia’s control of a critical metal European countries clash over sending troops to Ukraine Subscription promo: ...
French President Macron holds an emergency meeting in Paris with Ukraine’s allies, and a stock index featuring Europe’s largest banks is outpacing the United States’ Magnificent Seven tech giants. Plus, the activist hedge fund Elliot Management is on a mission to rejuvenate British Petroleum. Mentioned in this podcast: Europe scrambles to respond as US and Russia prepare for Ukraine peace talks Hedge fund Elliott shakes BP from its strategic slump Magnificent 7? Try the Magnificent 47 for size S...
