Hedge funds are trying to reposition themselves in the middle of this year’s heavy tech stock sell-off, and the director of the UN’s World Food Programme, David Beasley, explains how the war in Ukraine is causing a global food shortage. Plus, the FT’s Christian Davies tells the wild story of the guy behind the Luna cryptocurrency and its incredible downfall. Mentioned in this podcast: Gabe Plotkin’s Melvin Capital to wind down funds The mauling of Tiger Global $40bn crypto collapse turns S...
May 26, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Australia’s new prime minister met with world leaders to discuss climate change and Hungary’s prime minister declared an economic state of emergency. Plus, the FT’s Colby Smith visits the city of Atlanta to find how restaurant owners are managing to find staff in a red hot labour market. Mentioned in this podcast: Orbán declares state of emergency over crisis caused by Ukraine war Anthony Albanese sworn in as Australia’s prime minister America’s red-hot labour market: inflation undercuts jobs ...
May 25, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Three decades of globalisation risks are going into reverse, according to company executives and investors as world leaders meet in Davos for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, and Toshiba set a deadline of May 30 for additional bidders in what could be Japan’s largest private equity deal. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Business leaders warn that three-decade era of globalisation is ending Toshiba reveals takeover...
May 24, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Saudi Arabia has signalled it will stand by Russia as a member of the Opec+ group of oil producers, the former head of Russia’s second-biggest oil group has warned that an EU ban on Moscow’s crude would be “the most negative scenario” for all parties. Plus, the FT’s Peggy Hollinger discusses Boeing’s decision to move its headquarters to be near the Pentagon and DC and why many stakeholders are unhappy. Mentioned in this podcast: Boeing needs a stronger vision to bounce back from ...
May 23, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s about to become much harder to find safe abortion care in America, in a country where some states already make it almost impossible. This week, we make sense of what’s happening and how we got here. Lilah speaks with Rhiannon Hamam, a Texas public defender and host of the popular show 5-4 (“a podcast about how much the Supreme Court sucks”) to make sense of Roe vs Wade, the seminal law that is expected to be overturned. Then, we pass the mic to three people providing abortion services in th...
May 21, 2022•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Canada is banning Chinese telecom giant Huawei from its 5G network, US plans to host the Summit of Americas are in disarray as Latin American heads of state refuse to attend. Plus, the California-based asset manager Pimco is trying to adapt to an era of rising interest rates and passive investing. Mentioned in this podcast: Canada to ban Chinese telecoms Huawei and ZTE from 5G networks US summit struggles in Latin America are a boon to China Pimco: navigating the end of the bond bull market The ...
May 20, 2022•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Wall Street stocks fell hard on Wednesday after the retailer Target warned that inflation and supply chain disruptions would hit profit margins, and we explain why a tiny island in the Black Sea is so important in the war in Ukraine. Plus, the FT’s Jude Webber explains why the United Kingdom wants to alter the Northern Ireland protocol from its Brexit trade agreement. Mentioned in this podcast: UK will legislate to ‘fix’ N Ireland trade problems, says Truss Military briefing: why Rus...
May 19, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cash holdings among global fund managers have risen to their highest level since 9/11, China’s economic data show how badly the country is suffering from its Covid lockdowns. Plus, the FT’s employment columnist Sarah O’Connor says inflation hurts some workers more than others and salary advancement schemes aimed at helping struggling workers may not be a panacea. Mentioned in this podcast: Big investors increase cash holdings to highest levels since 9/11 attack Beware the promise of salary...
May 18, 2022•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Elon Musk acknowledged on Monday that he would pay a lower price for Twitter, hedge fund Tiger Global has significantly cut back its shareholdings and dumped stakes in tech companies, wheat prices jumped after India banned exports, and McDonald’s will sell its business in Russia. Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk says different price for Twitter deal ‘not out of the question’ Tiger Global slashes bets on tech groups after stock market sell-off Wheat prices rise almost 6% as India export...
May 17, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Behind the Money is back with all-new episodes! From hostile takeovers to C-suite intrigue, Behind the Money takes you inside the business and financial stories of the moment with reporting from Financial Times journalists around the world. The podcast returns May 25. You can follow the show now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 16, 2022•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brussels is set to cut its growth forecasts further and boost its inflation outlook, and Sweden will jettison 200 years of military non-alignment and apply to join Nato alongside its neighbour Finland. Plus, the FT’s Owen Walker talks about Credit Suisse’s high profile new hire, Francesca McDonagh. Mentioned in this podcast: Europe growth and inflation outlooks worsen as energy crisis hits Sweden and Finland to make Nato applications on ‘historic’ day for Nordics Francesca McDonagh: banker with ...
May 16, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast This weekend, Lilah talks to actor Michael Patrick Thornton, who appears in the buzzy new Broadway production of Macbeth . When Michael was 24, he had a series of spinal cord strokes. Reciting Shakespeare's sonnets taught him how to breathe and speak again, and continue his career. Michael is at present the only actor on Broadway who uses a wheelchair. We ask him about the power of language and his role in the play (which also stars Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga). Then, we learn about Britain's to...
May 14, 2022•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Norway’s oil fund has slammed “corporate greed” and excessive executive pay, some former Ukrainian officials believe their forces could push Russian troops out before the end of the year, and Jay Powell was confirmed for a second term as chair of the Federal Reserve. Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains how cryptocurrencies’ latest meltdown could spill into normal markets like stocks and bonds. Mentioned in this podcast: Norwegian oil fund denounces ‘corporate greed’ over executive pay Mil...
May 13, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Description: Turkish authorities have raised the pressure on the country’s banks to limit corporate clients’ purchases of foreign currency, US consumer prices rose at an annual pace of 8.3 per cent last month, and the EU will have to spend close to €200bn in the next five years to secure energy independence from Russia. Plus, the FT’s Tabby Kinder explains why HSBC’s biggest shareholder is pressuring the bank to split up. Mentioned in this podcast: Turkey dials up the pressure on banks as ...
May 12, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said he would reverse Twitter’s ban on Donald Trump, and all but one of the global investment banks in China finally managed to eke out a profit last year. Plus, a look at the new president of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Mentioned in this podcast: Musk says he would reverse Trump’s Twitter ban, calling it ‘foolish’ and ‘morally wrong’ Global investment banks in China finally turn a profit The Marcos revival: how late Philippine dictator’s ...
May 11, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Volkswagen chief Herbert Diess has called for the EU to pursue a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine War for the sake of Europe’s economy, Goldman Sachs has paused new Spac offerings, and an historic election victory by Northern Ireland’s Sinn Féin Party has overturned more than a century of unionist dominance in the region. Mentioned in this podcast: Emerging markets hit by ‘toxic’ mix of rising rates and slower growth VW chief’s call for settlement to end war draws outrage from Kyiv Gold...
May 10, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Xi Jinping’s renewed commitment to zero-Covid policy rattles investors in China, Africa’s top Covid vaccine plant faces an uncertain future after production halt, and plant-based meat maker Impossible Foods claims a rival, Motif, has infringed its patent on a beef-replica product. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing oan Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Defence companies face supply snags as demand for US weapons rises Xi Jinping’s renewed commitment to zero-Covid rattles market...
May 09, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the final episode of this season of Tech Tonic, we ask if the growing tensions between the US and China could split the world into two competing technological spheres. It has been dubbed 'the great decoupling'. Some in the US want to see Chinese companies cut off from American investment, while hawkish factions in China have been fighting for a more self-sufficient and nationalistic tech sector. But what would decoupling really look like? And is it even possible? Presented by James Kyn...
May 08, 2022•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Lilah interviews Everything Everywhere All at Onc e directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as Daniels. Their film, starring Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis, has received rave reviews for successfully combining genres from indie comedy to sci-fi to kung fu. Then our colleagues Leo Lewis and Eri Sugiura join us from Tokyo to explain Japan's succession crisis. Small and medium-sized companies employ 80 per cent of people in the country, but many owners’ children do not...
May 07, 2022•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Wall Street stocks suffered steep declines on Thursday with the Nasdaq’s biggest fall since 2020 and the Bank of England has warned that the UK economy will slide into recession this year. Plus, the FT’s Latin America editor, Michael Stott, explains why the British Virgin Islands is rejecting a push for direct rule from London. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Nasdaq tumbles 5% in sharpest fall since 2020 British Virgin Islands premi...
May 06, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark policy rate by half a percentage point for the first time since 2000, the European Union is trying to ban almost all imports of Russian oil, and the FT’s Ben Hall explains why Russia is making nominal military progress in Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast: Hungary holds up EU plan to ban imports of Russian oil Fed implements first half-point interest rate rise since 2000 Military briefing: ‘anaemic’ Russian advance heralds long attrition war The...
May 05, 2022•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast BP recorded its highest quarterly earnings in more than a decade, Italy’s prime minister, Mario Draghi, called on Brussels to abandon the requirement for unanimity on foreign policy decisions, and Biogen’s chief executive will step down following the disastrous launch of the company’s Alzheimer’s drug. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: BP’s bumper earnings stoke new calls for windfall tax Mario Draghi calls for an end to EU unanimity ...
May 04, 2022•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amazon workers at a warehouse in New York have rejected efforts to form a union, the US Federal Reserve is poised to make its first half-percentage point rise since 2000, and Danish turbine maker Vestas reported bigger than expected losses and confirmed the impact of the war in Ukraine on the industry. Mentioned in this podcast: Amazon union dealt a setback as it loses vote at second NY warehouse Fed reaches for its ‘hatchet’ as it attacks galloping inflation Vestas warns war in Ukra...
May 03, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Italy’s tough new approach to Russia marks one of the biggest foreign policy shifts in Europe in years, Germany has called for a phased-in ban on Russian oil imports into the EU, and investors have written to the boards of leading food companies to show shareholder concern about nutrition and obesity. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: EU steps up action on Russian oil sanctions Revulsion at Ukraine War ends Rome’s old amity with Mosco...
May 02, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Tech Tonic, how a mysterious death in Belgrade prompted Serbia to embrace Chinese surveillance technology, raising concerns among Serbian human rights and privacy activists. They’ve been fighting back against the Serbian government’s use of Huawei facial recognition tech in public spaces. But Serbia is just one of many countries around the world that’s adopted this cutting-edge Chinese mass monitoring equipment. What does it tell us about the spread of Chinese influence around...
May 01, 2022•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast This weekend, we think about morality in the age of social media. According to writer Dan Brooks, we're great at pointing out where good is missing, but we’ve forgotten how to be good people. Then, Yale professor Jing Tsu tells us the story of how China standardised its complex language of 80,000 characters into something that could fit on a keyboard. It wasn’t easy, but it helped make the country the global digital superpower that it is today. -------------- Want to say hi? We love hearing from...
Apr 30, 2022•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast The US dollar surged to its highest level in two decades on Thursday, the US economy contracted unexpectedly in the first quarter, Twitter admits an ‘error’ in audience figures for the past three years, and Amazon shares fell after the company said it expects revenue growth to remain sluggish. Mentioned in this podcast: Falling sales and high costs weigh down Amazon earnings US economy contracts for first time since mid-2020 Dollar surges to highest level in 20 years Twitter admits oversta...
Apr 29, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast EU leaders accused Moscow of “blackmail” over gas exports, and Spotify tries to distance itself from Netflix after reporting decent quarterly earnings. Plus, the FT’s Owen Walker explains how Credit Suisse shakes up its top executives to shake off mega scandals. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: European gas prices soar after Gazprom halts supplies to Poland and Bulgaria Spotify chief distances music streaming group from Netflix...
Apr 28, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast US tech stocks fell to their lowest level in more than a year, the Brexit trade deal has caused a “steep decline” in UK trade with the EU, Chinese businesses have scoured the globe for important strips of land including islands in the South Pacific. Mentioned in this podcast: Alphabet earnings decline as online advertising momentum slows UK-EU trade relationships tumble after Brexit The Chinese companies trying to buy strategic islands US steps up efforts to court Solomon Islands after Chi...
Apr 27, 2022•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast EU member states are looking at whether to impose a ceiling on what they would pay for Russian oil as a way to hit Kremlin revenues, Twitter’s board has accepted a roughly $44bn offer to sell the company to Elon Musk that would result in the world’s richest man seizing control of the influential social media platform, and French President Emmanuel Macron faces much tougher challenges in his second term in office. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in t...
Apr 26, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
