The European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the first time in nearly five years, and the European Commission will recommend the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine this month. Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains how optimistic we should be about a revival of the London Stock Exchange. Mentioned in this podcast: ECB cuts interest rates for first time in five years A cautious revival of the London IPO market Ukraine ready for EU membership talks, Brussels says The FT News Brie...
Jun 07, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nvidia’s market value briefly rose past $3tn to overtake Apple as the world’s second-most valuable company, South Africa’s African National Congress party is considering the formation of a national unity government with rival parties, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused on Wednesday by Sir Keir Starmer of “resorting to lies” over Labour’s tax plans. Plus, a US appeals court has tossed out new rules that would have forced private equity and hedge funds to be more transparent. Mentioned ...
Jun 06, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gazprom is unlikely to recover gas sales lost as a result of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine for at least a decade, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to win a historic third term, job openings, vacancies and quits data provided more evidence of a cooling labour market in the US. Plus, Opec+ might be losing ground in its fight to prop up oil prices. Mentioned in this podcast: Gazprom badly hurt by Ukraine war, says company-commissioned report Narendra Modi set to l...
Jun 05, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast US President Joe Biden is moving to sharply tighten immigration rules at the southern border with Mexico, Indian markets hit record highs after exit polls forecast a landslide election win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, food delivery apps put new focus on profits despite slower growth following the coronavirus pandemic, and a new podcast from the Financial Times explores the fallout since Qatargate. Mentioned in this podcast: Food delivery apps rack up $20bn in losses in fierce battle f...
Jun 04, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russia and China are deadlocked over a deal to build a gas pipeline connecting the two countries, far-right parties in Europe are gaining ground with younger voters, technical trouble could hamper Tesla’s upcoming shareholder election, and disagreement at OpenAI over safety and leadership has led to top level resignations. Mentioned in this podcast: Russia-China gas pipeline deal stalls over Beijing’s price demands Internal divisions linger at OpenAI after November’s attempted coup Tesla’s many ...
Jun 03, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, making this a pivotal year for democracy. But these polls come as populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. In the first of this five-part series, the FT’s renowned economics commentator Martin Wolf tells executive opinion editor Jonathan Derbyshire why he worries about the consequences for the ...
Jun 02, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former US president Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records on Thursday, a first for any current or former American president. However, with the Republican nomination all but secured, the conviction may do little to knock Trump’s reelection campaign off course. The FT’s US managing editor, Peter Spiegel, and US legal correspondent, Joe Miller, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why. Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump found guilty on all c...
Jun 01, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump has been found guilty of conspiring to buy the silence of a porn actor and Saudi Arabia is selling roughly $12bn worth of shares in its national oil company Saudi Aramco. Plus, European oil majors are left at a disadvantage in several areas when it comes to M&A. Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump found guilty on all counts in ‘hush money’ trial Saudi Arabia to sell $12bn worth of Aramco shares Why the European oil megamerger has not gushed forth The FT News Briefing i...
May 31, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Europe has only a fraction of the air defence capabilities needed to protect its eastern flank, BHP’s £39bn takeover bid for Anglo American has collapsed, and Israel bonds are a hot commodity in US municipalities. Plus, the FT’s Brooke Masters explains why private equity firms are pivoting towards profit sharing. Mentioned in this podcast: Nato has just 5% of air defences needed to protect eastern flank Israel’s borrowing spree reaches Palm Beach as US municipalities pile in BHP’s £39bn pu...
May 30, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hess shareholders approved a controversial takeover bid from Chevron, and South Africans vote today in the most contested election since the end of apartheid,Plus, the FT’s James Kynge argues that China is winning the tech war with the US. Mentioned in this podcast: South Africa’s ‘lost leader’ faces the end game Georgia adopts Russian-inspired ‘foreign agents’ law Tech Tonic podcast The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additi...
May 29, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode features a truncated version of a recent Behind the Money podcast as it travels to Omaha, Nebraska for Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting. At this year’s event, there’s a lingering question over what will happen once Warren Buffett is no longer at the helm. Buffett has a successor in mind, and we explore the challenges they could face when taking over America’s “last great” conglomerate. Mentioned in this podcast: Behind the Money podcast Berkshire after Buffett: prized...
May 28, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast The European Central Bank looks almost certain to be one of the first major central banks to cut rates, a tense dispute over Guyana is casting a shadow over Chevron’s bid to takeover Hess, and Thames Water pumped 14.2bn litres of sewage into the river Thames last year. Plus, the nuclear power industry is seeking to lure back thousands of retired engineers. Mentioned in this podcast: ECB is ready to start cutting interest rates, says chief economist Blow to $53bn Chevron-Hess deal as invest...
May 27, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast American voters still say the economy is their most important electoral issue, and a growing number are less than pleased with Joe Biden’s economic management. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and the vice-president of North Star Opinion Research, Jon McHenry, join this week’s Swamp Notes to break down the results of the most recent FT-Michigan Ross poll. Mentioned in this podcast: Support for Joe Biden’s economic policies wanes amid inflation fears, FT poll finds FT-...
May 25, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Elon Musk’s xAI has secured new backing from three Silicon Valley venture capital giants, women in Ukraine have increasingly stepped into roles men used to perform before Russia’s full-scale invasion, and the FT’s Soumaya Keynes explains why the UK’s Labour party benefits from being boring. Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk’s xAI secures new backing from Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia and Tribe Ukrainian women wanted in factories as men drafted into army How large might Labour’s ‘dullness...
May 24, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 
