FT News Briefing

Markets are looking for signals from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell during this week’s Jackson Hole symposium, global stock markets have lost about $3tn in value this month and there has been a mixed reaction to China’s approach to monetary policy.  Mentioned in this podcast: Central bankers to make ‘higher-for-longer’ rate pitch at Jackson Hole Global stocks head for worst month in near...

Description:  The sell-off in US government debt continued to hit the world’s largest bond market on Monday, and Silicon Valley start-ups are wondering whether Arm’s listing will reignite the IPO market. Plus, the FT’s foreign editor, Alec Russell, explains why a new geopolitical order is emerging.  Mentioned in this podcast: US Treasury yields hit 16-year high on fears over interest rat...

Some of private equity’s biggest names are handing over companies they own to the lending arms of rivals, and Iran is dealing with the consequences of ultra-cheap petrol. Plus, the FT’s Christine Murray explains how the shipping industry is dealing with a severe drought that’s slowing down traffic through the Panama Canal.  Mentioned in this podcast: Private equity firms hand over assets to c...

US mortgage rates have soared to a 21-year high, US retailer earnings reports send mixed messages on consumer spending, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are buying up thousands of the high-performance Nvidia chips crucial for building artificial intelligence software.  Mentioned in this podcast: Walmart sales rise as inflation keeps consumers hunting for bargains Target sales hit...

Who is Sergei Leontiev? To the US asylum system, he’s an exiled Russian banker who was persecuted by the state and forced to flee. To Russia, he’s said to be responsible for massive fraud.  On The Russian Banker, a new series from the Financial Times, reporters Courtney Weaver and Stefania Palma try to uncover the truth, and find a story that tells us about Russia today and how peop...

Lower gas and electricity costs drove a sharp drop in headline UK inflation in July, Fitch Ratings has downgraded WeWork, and there’s increasing anxiety in China over the real estate sector’s stability.  Mentioned in this podcast: UK inflation slows to 6.8% in July as energy prices fall WeWork credit rating cut further into junk territory by Fitch Retail investors complain to Chinese regulato...

US stocks hit a five-week low as a warning of potential Fitch downgrades sent bank shares lower, Beijing is making one of its biggest top-down efforts in years to tackle the debts racked up by local governments, and a year after passage of the US Inflation Reduction Act and Chips Act the vast majority of investment is going to red states.  Mentioned in this podcast: US and European stocks hit...

A surprise election result in Argentina spooked markets, iPhone manufacturer Foxconn is trying to pivot to India, and it looks like there’s a US regulatory crackdown looming for the sustainable investing world.  Mentioned in this podcast: Argentina’s markets roil after shock primary election results iPhone maker Foxconn’s cautious pivot to India shows limits of ‘China plus one’ UBS pays $1.4b...

The rouble has fallen to a 16-month low against the dollar, airlines have joined forces with farmers to lobby in Washington so that corn helps power their planes, and growing demand for minerals used in green technology is starting to shake up the geopolitics of the energy world.  Mentioned in this podcast: Rouble hits 16-month low as military spending rises and exports fall US airlines ally...

In the final episode of this Tech Tonic season, FT correspondents weigh in on the trends that will determine the future of social media. From Meta’s Threads to artificial intelligence, we ask how platforms will look and feel in years to come. The FT’s deputy Lex editor, host Elaine Moore, speaks with social media reporter Cristina Criddle, global technology correspondent Tim Bradshaw and San Franc...

Iran has transferred five US citizens from prison to house arrest, US headline inflation in July rose slightly from June, and in Mexico the influence of the military has grown dramatically.  Mentioned in this podcast: Iran transfers five imprisoned Americans to house arrest US inflation edges up to 3.2% in July The militarisation of Mexico’s economy FT Weekend festival promo code: FTPodcast L...

Walt Disney reported quarterly results that showed declines at its television and movie businesses, China’s economy has fallen into deflation, and President Joe Biden is banning US tech investment in China. Plus, the FT’s Owen Walker explains why more and more countries in Europe are instituting windfall taxes on banks.  Mentioned in this podcast: Disney shares jump after streaming losses nar...

The UK government is pushing back against an attempt by some members of the House of Lords to close loopholes in transparency legislation, US bank stocks fell after Moody’s cut the credit ratings of 10 midsized banks, and the FT’s Jamie Smyth explains the craze behind new weight-loss drugs.  Mentioned in this podcast: UK government resists moves to tighten corporate transparency rules We...

Meta has axed a team that used artificial intelligence to create the first database of more than 600mn protein structures, and PayPal is launching a stablecoin. Plus, the FT’s Henry Foy explains why it’s so difficult for the EU to admit new members, Ukraine in particular.   Mentioned in this podcast: Meta disbands protein-folding team in shift towards commercial AI PayPal pushes dee...

Private equity firms are increasingly offering sweeteners such as fee discounts to secure backing from deep-pocketed investors, US banks are still relying on hundreds of billions of dollars in government financing, and Latin America’s central banks have started cutting interest rates.  Mentioned in this podcast: Private equity firms offer sweeteners in struggle to lure reluctant investors Bri...

Can we get rid of the bad bits of social media and keep the good? Is it possible to create a more positive social media experience than the one we get from the platforms that dominate the landscape today? In this episode, Elaine Moore asks what the social media platforms of the future should look like, and whether platforms designed for smaller groups of users with shared inter...

Stronger than expected online sales helped Amazon beat Wall Street expectations for last quarter, and the Bank of England raised interest rates for the 14th time in a row. Plus, the FT’s Christopher Miller explains the strategy behind a series of drone attacks on Moscow. Mentioned in this podcast: Amazon’s cost-cutting and online sales lift earnings Apple profits rise as services arm surpasses 1bn...

Investors are increasing their bets that Europe will sink into a painful economic downturn, and luxury groups are bracing for the end of the post-pandemic recovery boom. Plus, the FT’s Tokyo bureau chief Kana Inagaki explains why Nissan’s focus on regaining ground in China might be a bit of an uphill battle.    Mentioned in this podcast: Investors turn gloomy over Europe’s economic outlo...

US prosecutors have charged Donald Trump in connection with his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Uber reported its first operating profit, and Fitch Ratings has cut the US debt rating from triple A to double A plus. Plus, the US Federal Reserve has become a target for Republican presidential candidates.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump indicted over attempt to ov...

Rising stock prices and falling bond yields in the US have essentially neutralised the impact of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate rises, western oil and gas majors are expected to face renewed scrutiny of their energy transition plans, and China’s metals and mining investments overseas are on track to hit a record this year. Plus, the private equity owners of German sandal maker Birkenstock are...

The Bank of Japan announced that it’s going to allow bonds to rise more freely, and China’s politburo has signalled several target measures meant to boost the country’s economy. Plus, the FT’s Attracta Mooney explains how more frequent heat waves will impact several different industries and the economy as a whole.  Mentioned in this podcast: Investment flows poised for historic shift aft...

Social media today is less about making friends and more about following popular content creators. While those creators are starting to hold some power over the platforms themselves, they’re also looking to become less reliant on the platforms that have enabled them to find fame and fortune online. What does it mean for the future of social media platforms? Our producer Josh Gabert-Doyon travels t...

The European Central Bank has raised interest rates back to their record high, and US bank regulators have advanced plans to impose more arduous capital requirements on the country’s large lenders. Plus, the FT’s Elaine Moore says the Twitter/X rebrand doesn’t make sense, but that’s kind of the whole point.  Mentioned in this podcast: ECB raises interest rates back to record high Regulators a...

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point, Facebook parent Meta returned to double-digit revenue growth for the first time since the end of 2021, and US federal prosecutors charged British billionaire Joe Lewis with 19 counts related to insider trading. Plus, China’s foreign minister Qin Gang vanished a month ago and was not replaced until this week....

Alphabet earnings beat expectations, a new report from the IMF says the future of the global economy is looking a little brighter than it did a few months ago, and the troubled regional bank PacWest has agreed to merge with Banc of California. Plus, the FT’s James Shotter explains the role Israeli businesses are playing in protesting the country’s judicial reforms.  Mentioned in this podcast:...