FT News Briefing

Strong sales at Amazon’s cloud computing division helped the Big Tech giant beat analyst estimates for revenue and profit, private capital is playing a growing role in the green energy transformation, and foreign carmakers are teaming up with Chinese technology groups to compete in the local market.   Mentioned in this podcast: Amazon’s strong cloud sales help power revenue gains Can pri...

Humza Yousaf is resigning as Scotland’s first minister, and WeWork’s senior creditors are poised to take control of the reorganised co-working space provider. Plus, an Africa-focused venture capital firm has steered one of the region’s biggest fundraising efforts of the past five months.  Mentioned in this podcast: Humza Yousaf quits as Scotland’s first minister WeWork agrees restructuring de...

Financial companies scramble to rework contracts after US Federal Trade Commission rule bans non-compete agreements, the largest western banks that remain in Russia paid the Kremlin hundreds of millions of euros in taxes last year, and Turkey is in talks with the US energy supermajor ExxonMobil over a multibillion-dollar deal to buy liquefied natural gas. Plus, the message from Big Tech companies...

The US Supreme Court set out to answer a big constitutional question on Thursday: can a president be charged for potential crimes committed while in office? The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and US legal and enforcement correspondent, Stefania Palma, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why the answer could determine the outcome of Donald Trump’s federal trials and the future of t...

Microsoft beat expectations for revenue and cloud sales, Alphabet shares rise by double-digits after first-quarter earnings beat expectations, markets are no longer fully confident of a US interest rate cut before September, and the EU is turning to draconian tactics to curb migration. Plus, a merger between mining giants BHP and Anglo American could get investors excited about the industry again....

Meta’s revenues jumped by more than a quarter in the first three months of the year, Brussels raided the offices of a Chinese security equipment supplier, and earnings from Boeing reflected a slowdown of 737 Max production and compensation to customers. Plus, weapon shipments are heading to Ukraine after President Joe Biden signed a highly anticipated $95bn foreign aid bill.  Mentioned in thi...

Tesla reported a 9 per cent decline in first-quarter revenue, Spotify kicked off a more mature era for its business after years of freer spending, and the US Federal Trade Commission banned non-compete clauses for employees. Plus, international investors have rushed into Egypt’s debt after the most populous Arab nation secured a $55bn bailout. Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla revenue declines in f...

The New York Stock Exchange is polling market participants on the merits of trading stocks around the clock, ByteDance ready to ‘move to the courts’ after the US pushes ahead with a bill demanding the Chinese parent sell its viral app in the country, and traders have built up bets that the Federal Reserve could actually raise interest rates. Plus, Goldman Sachs has relocated its head of financial...

Tesla shareholders are bracing for the carmaker’s worst earnings performance in seven years, oil markets have remained steady as Middle East tensions rise, and China’s first-quarter GDP shows the effects of President Xi Jinping’s bet on manufacturing.  Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla shareholders braced for worst results in 7 years Why oil prices remain steady even as Middle East tensions es...

Both Donald Trump and Joe Biden made campaign stops last week in Pennsylvania, whose 19 electoral votes could decide the outcome of the 2024 election. But in a state with such a range of demographic groups, how can each find a message that will stick? The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and US political editor Derek Brower join to discuss. Credit: The Independent, The Times...

Netflix profits surged during the first quarter , global markets had a rocky week due to worries over US inflation, and India’s prime minister is getting a big boost from the business class in his re-election campaign.  Mentioned in this podcast: Netflix profits surge on strong subscriber growth The great bet on rate cuts is off European stocks suffer worst day in nine months US to grow at do...

Iran is exporting more oil than at any time for the past six years , EU leaders are debating whether to unify the bloc’s fragmented capital markets, and the IMF warns that the US’s massive fiscal deficit poses significant risks to global markets. Plus, artificial intelligence needs an abundance of electricity to run, but the world is struggling to generate it. Mentioned in this podcast: Iran oil e...

Andreessen Horowitz hauls in one of the largest funds since the downturn in the tech sector, stocks from China’s state-owned enterprises are faring well compared with the wider market, and the IMF says that the US is on track to grow at double the rate of any other G7 country this year. Plus, a full-scale conflict has depleted Ukrainian defences. Israel could face a similar plight despite the week...

Goldman Sachs surpasses profit estimates by almost $1bn, CVC’s revived listing plan follows years of internal discord over whether the PE firm should go public, and Tesla is laying off 10% of its global workforce. Plus, the FT’s Michael Stott explains why the Darién Gap has become an important migration route for people heading towards the US. Mentioned in this podcast: Goldman Sachs traders help...

US lawmakers face new pressure to approve military aid for Israel, and Tianqi Lithium’s strategy is at risk as Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s government works to take back control of resources. Plus, depositors put pressure on big US banks. Mentioned in this podcast: Net interest income may have peaked for Wall Street banks China’s Tianqi Lithium’s $4bn bet on Chile at risk of backfiring Israel...

Donald Trump championed the reversal of Roe vs Wade. He even called himself the “most pro-life president” in US history. But with voters outraged by abortion restrictions, Trump and other Republicans are staking out a new position on the issue. The FT’s global business columnist, Rana Foroohar, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join to explain why. Mentioned in this podcast: Arizona court...

Three more US regulators have opened probes into Morgan Stanley, managers are planning to shut or convert US prime money market funds ahead of new regulations, and the European Central Bank held interest rates steady. Plus, sanctioned Russian oligarchs got a big win in a top EU court.  Mentioned in this podcast: EU’s sanctions regime in turmoil after oligarchs win legal battle Managers to shu...

Traders slashed bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, the US audit regulator issued its biggest fine ever against KPMG, and the UK’s Lloyds Banking Group plans to cut jobs in risk management after an internal review found the function was a “blocker to our strategic transformation”. Mentioned in this podcast: Markets slash rate cut bets after US inflation rises to 3.5% Investors lose hope of...

OpenAI and Meta are on the brink of releasing new artificial intelligence models, police in Ecuador stormed the Mexican embassy to arrest the former vice-president, and big investors are selling US Treasuries and buying European government bonds. Plus, Australia is trying to boost its manufacturing sector to protect against supply chain disruptions.  Mentioned in this podcast: OpenAI and Meta...

The US, UK and Australia on Monday said they were considering working with Japan in the trilateral Aukus security pact, the world’s biggest chipmaker will build cutting-edge facilities in Arizona in exchange for billions of dollars in subsidies, and the Environment Agency for England and Wales is allocating £11mn collected in fines against water companies, to environmental restoration projects. Me...

Israel moves some of its troops from southern Gaza to prepare for an operation in the city of Rafah, Google is considering charging for AI-powered search, and European defence companies are worried about their reliance on China for a critical component in gunpowder for ammunition. Plus, global stock market concentration has risen to its highest level in decades. Mentioned in this podcast: Israel s...

Donald Trump’s first term as president featured mainstream Republican figures — respected military officials, centre-right policymakers, and neoliberal business leaders — who promised to temper his more extreme instincts. But if Trump takes office again, his White House could feature a very different cast of characters. The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and deputy Washington bur...

The supply of equity shares on the market is shrinking, more people in Israel are calling for early elections, and Prague says Russia is mounting cyber attacks on railway systems throughout Europe. Plus, a new plan to give a boost to Africa’s agriculture. Mentioned in this podcast: Benny Gantz calls for early elections in Israel Israelis hold biggest rally against Netanyahu since start of Gaza war...

Lower than expected eurozone inflation number bolsters expectations of ECB interest rate cuts by summer, People’s Liberation Army mobilisation units reflect Xi Jinping’s focus on security, Tesla faces a tough moment, and big investors line up behind management at Disney.  Mentioned in this podcast: Eurozone inflation falls to 2.4% in March Chinese companies revive Mao Zedong-era militias Wher...

Nato is trying to ‘Trump-proof’ funding for the war in Ukraine, Thames Water’s owners will start urgent restructuring talks, and birth rates are declining despite wealthy countries investing in family- friendly policies.  Mentioned in this podcast: Thames Water owners to begin urgent restructuring talks Why family-friendly policies don’t boost birth rates Nato plans $100bn ‘Trump-proof’ fund...