FT News Briefing

15h ago

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the most expensive. Between gifts, food and travel, people can end up spending a lot of money this year. The Financial Times’ consumer editor Claer Barrett explains why people are feeling the pinch this season and what they can do about it. Mentioned in this podcast: Economists warn of flaws in US inflation report FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign Find Claer Barrett on TikTok and Instagram Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino , and produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1d ago

BP chief executive Murray Auchincloss has said he will step down after less than two years in the role, India’s central bank governor expects the country’s interest rates to remain low for a ‘long period’, and UK inflation fell more than expected to an eight-month low of 3.2 per cent. Plus, global companies are seeking private equity partners in China to take on their local operations as they grapple with an increasingly competitive local market. Mentioned in this podcast: BP picks Woodside boss Meg O’Neill as new chief executive India’s central bank governor signals rates to stay low for ‘long period’ UK inflation falls more than expected to 3.2% in November Global brands seek private equity partners to save their China businesses Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino , and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2d ago

Investors are snapping up Venezuela’s defaulted debt, JPMorgan Chase has withdrawn almost $350bn in cash from its account at the Federal Reserve since 2023, and the US unemployment rate rose to its highest level in more than four years. Plus, global asset managers’ cash holdings have fallen to a record low in a sign of investors’ bullishness about the AI-fuelled stock market rally. Mentioned in this podcast: Investors pile into Venezuelan debt in regime change bet JPMorgan pulls $350bn from Federal Reserve to buy up Treasuries Bullish investors pile into stocks as cash levels sink to record low US unemployment rate hits four-year high of 4.6% Fifa offers cheaper World Cup tickets in response to outcry Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino , and produced by Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3d ago

Shell’s merger chief departed after a bid to acquire rival BP was quashed internally, and the EU’s top trade official warns the bloc would lose global credibility if it fails to approve its trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries. Plus, Brussels plans to scrap the EU’s 2035 combustion engine ban, and hedge funds and trading firms are piling into physical commodities markets in search of new sources of returns. Mentioned in this podcast: Shell mergers chief departed after CEO blocked bid for BP EU will lose face if it rejects Mercosur deal, warns trade commissioner Brussels plans to scrap 2035 combustion engine ban Hedge funds pile into commodities in search of fresh source of returns Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and produced by Sonja Hutson . Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4d ago

A terror attack on a Jewish event in Sydney kills more than a dozen people. Plus, investors are increasingly concerned about how much debt is funding the AI boom, world leaders meet to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, and it’s a big week for US economic data. And: The FT’s ‘Behind the Money’ podcast looks into whistleblowing in the UK. Mentioned in this podcast: Gunmen who killed 15 in Sydney attack on Jewish festival were father and son Investors seek protection from risk of AI debt bust Ukraine offers to drop Nato membership demands Behind the Money podcast Investors will have to wait until new year for clear data on US economy Bank of England set to cut rates to 3.75% as economic data eases inflation concerns Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig , and produced by Persis Love and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 12

Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Do Kwon is sentenced to 15 years in prison on two counts of fraud, and t he Walt Disney Company will allow OpenAI to use its characters in its flagship products. Plus, football fans are outraged over ticket prices for next year’s World Cup. And, you’ll meet the hardliner who wants to make Chile great again. Mentioned in this podcast: Crypto founder Do Kwon sentenced to 15 years in prison Disney to invest $1bn in OpenAI Football fans condemn ‘betrayal’ over ‘extortionate’ World Cup ticket prices The hardliner who wants to make Chile great again Friedrich Merz offers to host Ukraine talks so deal not done ‘above Europe’s head’ Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Victoria Craig , and produced by Fiona Symon and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 11

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter point, and Oracle shares fell on Wednesday after it reported disappointing revenues. Plus, there’s one conglomerate in Abu Dhabi dominating the economy and its ownership is in the hands of the royal family. Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve cuts rates to lowest level in three years in divisive decision Oracle shares slide as data centre spending mounts How Abu Dhabi’s economy came to be dominated by IHC Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Sonja Hutson , and produced by Fiona Symon and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 10

EU countries want to fast-track a decision to indefinitely immobilise up to €210bn in Russian sovereign assets, investors have increased bets that interest rates in major economies could diverge next year, and Berlin stands ready to throw its weight behind a German candidate to be the next president of the European Central Bank. Plus, Australia is now the first country in the world to restrict social media access for kids under the age of 16. Mentioned in this podcast: Trump gives Zelenskyy ‘days’ to respond to peace proposal EU races to bypass Viktor Orbán on Russia assets before summit Investors increase bets on ECB rate rise in threat to dollar Germany sees high hurdles to winning ECB presidency The countdown to the world’s first social media ban for children Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino , and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.