Big Take

Warren Buffett shocked shareholders when he announced he’d be stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. The 94-year-old business giant had been running the behemoth company for more than 50 years, and his investment decisions have earned him the nickname the “Oracle of Omaha.”  On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior markets editor and Opinion columnist John Au...

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the US government stepped in with aid to keep mass transit agencies afloat. But that money is running out and ridership hasn’t rebounded. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Sri Taylor and Aaron Gordon join host David Gura to discuss why advocates now fear many transit systems are on the verge of a so-called “death spiral”...

One month after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, Q1 earnings reports for a range of US companies are in.  On today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Shelly Banjo joins host Sarah Holder to talk through what those reports are revealing about companies’ reactions to Trump’s trade war. Are they pausing, pivoting or panicking? Read more of Shelly Banjo’s work...

The uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariff policies has been spooking business leaders and roiling the markets. And according to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, there could be more economic pain ahead — at least in the short term.  Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg editor-at-large Francine Lacqua sits down with Solomon at the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund’s annual investment...

In electing Mark Carney as prime minister, Canadians have given him and the Liberal Party a mandate. But it was a narrow victory — one that will require Carney to work with another party to achieve his priorities. His most urgent: trade talks with US President Donald Trump. On today’s Big Take podcast, David Gura sits down with Canadian government reporter Brian Platt in Ottawa to disc...

Tuition at US colleges and universities is higher than ever. But an exclusive new Bloomberg analysis reveals that the cost of a four-year degree is particularly burdensome for middle class students and their families.  On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Francesca Maglione and Paulina Cachero join David Gura to break down the real cost of attending the most selective colleges...

For decades, workers, disability advocates and employers have debated a program called 14(c), a section of employment law that lets companies pay certain employees with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. Proponents say the program provides opportunities for people who might not find them elsewhere. Critics say it’s exploitative and stigmatizing.  On today’s Big Take...

Chinese toy company Pop Mart is one of the hottest stocks this year thanks to the wild popularity of its Labubu dolls and other blind box toys. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg Opinion’s Shuli Ren about how the company’s business model could help it ride out the trade-war storm. Read more: China’s ‘Blind Box’ Magic Breeds Mill...

Amid tariff whiplash, renewed inflation concerns and turbulence in financial markets, Americans are left wondering: Do the economic vibes match our economic reality? And are we headed for a recession? Today on the show, Bloomberg senior markets editor and columnist John Authers joins host David Gura to discuss official and unofficial recession indicators and what the state of the economy tells us...

For years, a rubber and palm oil company that supplies some of the world’s top tiremakers has been dogged by allegations of sexual coercion at its plantations. Socfin — short for Société Financière des Caoutchoucs — says it has taken steps to improve matters, but an exclusive Bloomberg report shows those claims remain widespread. On today’s Big Take pod...

For decades, Singapore’s Kwek family, owners of one of the city’s biggest developers, looked to be the model of a successful family-run business. But that image was shattered when the family patriarch filed a lawsuit against his son. On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Sheryl Lee and Dexter Low to examine what happened behind the boardroom...

It’s been a tough year for electric vehicles: Since President Trump took office for a second term, the US has started a complete 180 on its investment in EVs. And as Trump’s trade war continues, the industry is bracing for additional tariffs and disruption to supply chains. But one company is pushing forward: General Motors. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Detroit Bureau C...

When it comes to measuring economic pain, the cost of a humble breakfast sandwich might not be top of mind. But Bloomberg has an index that tracks the rising cost of a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, plus a cup of coffee. And this year, it’s reached record highs.  On today’s Big Take podcast, we hear from people up and down the BEC supply chain — from a wheat farmer to a cof...

It’s been a bewildering time for retail investors trying to make sense of global markets. In the week since President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs, markets have plunged, rebounded — and now, they’re sliding again. Meanwhile, the trade war between the US and China continues. Both announced severe new tariffs this week. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Charli...

US President Donald Trump shocked the world -- and global markets -- with tariffs that exceeded expectations last week. But there was one region that was hit harder than most: Asia. Exporting powerhouses like China and Vietnam were slapped with some of the highest levies of any country, with China now facing an additional 50% tariff, bringing the total rate of its levies to more than 100%.  ...

It's been a volatile few days across global markets.  As the equity sell-off has deepened, a growing number of market strategists have revised down their targets for where the S&P 500 will be at the end of the year, and economists at several big banks have updated their forecasts. Today on the Big Take podcast, unpacking the seismic effect US President Trump’s tariffs announcement i...

The genetic testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March, after years of slowing sales, legal trouble, and a declining stock price. And now, the valuable trove of genetic data the company owns is for sale, sparking privacy concerns.  On today’s Big Take, Bloomberg biotech reporter Gerry Smith traces the rise and fall of 23andMe, and bankruptcy reporter Jonathan Randles outlines...

India’s historic stock market surge sparked a retail-investing frenzy that minted millionaires. But the boom also became a breeding ground for financial scams.  On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Alex Gabriel Simon about the retail investors that have been cheated out of their life savings, and how this influx of scams could undermine Prim...

President Donald Trump is calling April 2nd “Liberation Day” — that’s when the president says the world can expect the biggest salvo in his widening trade war. While the specifics are not yet clear, the symbolism is: Trump wants to usher in an era of American protectionist policy that could re-order global trade. Today on the show, Bloomberg’s Shawn Donnan joins host...

In the series finale, our reporters try to crack the secretive companies behind nudify apps that let users create deepfakes in minutes. And a new case rocks another small town high school.   Levittown  is a real-life horror story for the AI generation. In this six-part series from Bloomberg, Kaleidoscope and iHeart Podcasts, reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy take listeners from...

Kayla faces down her harasser in court. In New Zealand, an investigator summons a global army of hackers.   Levittown is a real-life horror story for the AI generation. In this six-part series from Bloomberg, Kaleidoscope and iHeart Podcasts, reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy take listeners from quiet suburbs of New York to as far as New Zealand and into the darkest corners of the In...

An arrest in Levittown kicks off the next phase of an investigation. The central question for the prosecutors is: Is any of this a crime? And they’re on the clock.   Levittown is a real-life horror story for the AI generation. In this six-part series from Bloomberg, Kaleidoscope and iHeart Podcasts, reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy take listeners from quiet suburbs of New York...

Tulum, Mexico has exploded in popularity since the early years of the pandemic. The area’s few Covid restrictions, picturesque beaches and laidback vibes attracted lockdown-weary travelers and helped trigger a real estate boom. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Andrea Navarro and Tanaz Meghjani join host Sarah Holder to discuss the dark side of a pandemic-era development...

Private equity is looking for new ways to raise capital. The industry has its eye on a  $12 trillion piece of America’s retirement market. On today’s Big Take podcast, private equity reporter Allison McNeely joins host Sarah Holder to explain why PE firms are targeting 401(k)s now and what this could mean for the average American’s retirement savings. Read more: Private Equi...

Search is the most lucrative part of Google’s business. So when ChatGPT launched in 2022 and offered to answer users’ every question, it posed an existential threat to the company, forcing Google to respond. Google had to figure out how to compete. But integrating generative AI into Google search would fundamentally change the company’s core product, and it introduced big risks....