The Story of Money

The future is on the line again for the carmakers known as the "big three": Ford, GM and what is now Fiat Chrysler. Ten years ago the question was whether the carmakers would survive the financial crisis. Today, investors wonder if traditional car companies will be able to make the technological shift to an industry of self-driving, electric and service-focused cars. The FT’s Patti Waldmeir report...

In the past month pharmaceutical companies have spent almost $100bn acquiring biotech companies. The FT's Sarah Neville explains why big pharma is raising its bet on the drug pipelines owned by biotechs, and why analysts expect more consolidation in 2019.  Read more from Sarah at FT.com . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2017, the Chinese ride-hailing app was the highest valued start-up in the world at $56bn. But after a difficult period in 2018 following the murder of two passengers on its platform and a government crackdown, Didi has made a move to diversify by offering financial services. The FT's Yuan Yang reports.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer, followed months of mounting scrutiny of the world's biggest telecoms equipment maker. The FT's Nic Fildes explains how Huawei grew to be such a big player, and why western intelligence officials are warning against working with the Chinese company on the next generation of mobile technology.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

In October, IBM announced it would acquire open source software pioneer Red Hat for $34bn. The deal resonated with Wall Street, but making the two companies work together will be another challenge. The FT’s Richard Waters digs into IBM's history and what its tie-up with Red Hat signals about the future.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oil prices plunged below $63 a barrel on Tuesday after weeks of steady declines. The FT's Anjli Raval explains what is behind the souring mood among investors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apple shares have taken a hit this month amid fears that demand for the iPhone has peaked. Tim Bradshaw explains what is worrying investors.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Denmark’s Danske Bank find itself at the centre of one of the largest money laundering scandals the world has ever seen? The FT’s Richard Milne explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some of the world’s most influential financiers and executives have spent the past three years courting Saudi Arabia’s dealmaker-in-chief Mohammed bin Salman and his $300bn state investment fund. But the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has turned the pursuit of trophy deals into an exercise in crisis management. The FT's Arash Massoudi explains how the cr...

GE is one of the greatest names in American business. It was an original member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and at its peak the industrial conglomerate had a market capitalisation of nearly $600bn. But after decades of dealmaking, a weakening power sector is forcing the group's executives to consider radical changes. The FT's Ed Crooks explains.  Review clips: Bloomberg, CNBC, F...

This week's episode of Behind The Money will be available on Wednesday morning, instead of our usual time on Tuesday. Be sure to check back Wednesday morning for a brand episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Private equity has flooded the deal market in recent years, in part due to an era of cheap debt and fund managers on the hunt for greater investment returns. Firms are scooping up stakes in oil pipelines and newspapers — and even dental clinics. With a record $1.8tn in pension and sovereign wealth fund money waiting to be invested, some analysts ar...

The Canadian company was the first cannabis producer to make an initial public offering on a US stock exchange, and, after a week of volatile trading, some analysts are asking if investor excitement has gotten ahead of reality. The FT's Nicole Bullock explains. Review clips: Fox Business Network, ABC, CBS, BNN Bloomberg, CNBC, Bloomberg. Music by Podington Bear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

Nick was a regulator at the London Stock Exchange. Julia was an entrepreneur whose home was foreclosed. Ten years on from the collapse of Lehman Brothers we talk to two people with different perspectives on the lessons of the global financial crisis. Review clips: AP, CBS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The name “Sackler” adorns museums and art galleries around the world. But the family name has also become tainted by its association with the US opioid crisis, amid accusations that OxyContin, more than any other drug, is responsible for sparking one of the worst public health epidemics of modern times. The FT's David Crow explains how the Sackler family company Purdue Pharma g...

Medical marijuana is legal in 21 countries. In Canada, residents expect they will be able to buy cannabis from dispensaries and pharmacies across the country later this year. Some analysts have valued the legal business at anywhere between $7bn-$20bn, attracting a host of entrepreneurs and investors trying to get in on the action before the market takes off. We talk to two entrepreneurs with two v...

A little more than a year ago, Uber's board was in search of a new chief executive. Co-founder Travis Kalanick had resigned from the top job amid allegations of a toxic and sexist company culture, and the board was looking for someone to fix the group's operations and ready it for what is expected to be the tech world's biggest public offering. Behind The Money looks at Dara Khosrowshahi...

The amount of outstanding student debt in the US has hit a staggering $1.4tn, and many millennials say the education-related debt they've been saddled with has prevented them from doing things like buying a home, getting married and taking career risks. Who has been hit the hardest by student debt loads and what does it mean for the US economy? With guests Michael Ranalli, Judith Scott-Clayton and...

What is behind Elon Musk's plan to take the electric carmaker private, and who will provide the funding? The FT's Arash Massoudi explains the story that has unfolded since the chief executive posted his "funding secured" tweet. Read more  here .  Review clips: CityTV, CNBC, MSNBC, Bloomberg.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk's grand vision for the electric carmaker has drawn dedicated fans and followers. But Tesla has also tested the patience of customers and investors after a hit-and-miss on production targets while burning through cash. What will it take for Tesla to become a stable and profitable car manufacturer? The FT’s Richard Waters examines its prospects. Read more  here .  Hosted on Acast...

Private equity has flooded the deal market in recent years, in part due to an era of cheap debt and fund managers on the hunt for greater investment returns. Firms are scooping up stakes in oil pipelines and newspapers — and even dental clinics. With a record $1.8tn in pension and sovereign wealth fund money waiting to be invested, some analysts ar...

Behind The Money is going on a short hiatus for the next few weeks. We'll be back on Tuesday 31 July with brand new episodes. In the meantime, send us an email to  behindthemoney@ft.com  if you have any feedback on the series so far. What have you liked? What would you like to hear more about? We'll see you soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The man who built a $100bn fund has wooed investors with his vision for the future. But what is really behind the prowess of SoftBank's Masayoshi Son? With the FT's Arash Massoudi. Read Arash's story here . Review clips: Fox News, CNN, CNBC, ABC News, PBS, Bloomberg, Fox Business Network, TechCrunch. Contribute to our listener survey and enter our prize draw  here . Hosted on Acast. See acast...

After a week that began with a tense G7 summit and ended with the US imposing more tariffs on Chinese goods, many expected to see a big slide in financial markets. But stocks remained flat last week. Why aren't investors bracing for rockier times? With the FT's senior investment commentator John Authers. Review clips: CTV News, PBS, CBS News, ABC News, CNN. Contribute to our listener survey and en...

Medical marijuana is legal in 21 countries. In Canada, residents expect they will be able to buy cannabis from dispensaries and pharmacies across the country later this year. Some analysts have valued the legal business at anywhere between $7bn-$20bn, attracting a host of entrepreneurs and investors trying to get in on the action before the market takes off. We talk to two entrepreneurs with two v...