Episodes
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have different approaches to the media: Trump talks a lot, and Harris talks a little. But the candidates share one thing in common: they’re both sceptical of mainstream outlets. The FT’s US managing editor, Peter Spiegel, and Los Angeles bureau chief, Christopher Grimes, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why.  Mentioned in this podcast: Kamala Harris versus the media ‘Way too much news’: US conservatives face a fragmented media map Sign up for the FT’s...
Published 08/31/24
Turkey’s stock rally hits reverse as juicy interest rates lure savers out of the market, and the FT’s Polina Ivanova explains how Telegram is a lifeline for both Russian and Ukrainian troops and civilians. Plus, Cornell University’s Eswar Prasad says Thailand could open a window into how central bank digital currencies might be used in future. Mentioned in this podcast: Turkey’s blazing stock rally falters with high rates luring savers away War unfiltered: how Telegram straddles the Ukraine...
Published 08/30/24
Nvidia’s record-breaking earnings still somehow disappointed investors, China’s use of the renminbi in cross-border trading is at a record high, and Berkshire Hathaway becomes the first publicly traded US company outside of tech to be valued at $1tn. Plus, Ford’s big plans to boost profits continue to fall short. Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia revenue more than doubles as demand for AI chips remains strong China’s international use of renminbi surges to record highs  Warren Buffett’s...
Published 08/29/24
The Japanese operator of 7-Eleven is discussing ways to defend itself against a takeover bid by Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard, Chinese export controls on crucial semiconductor materials are starting to hit supply chains, and the fintech company Klarna plans to axe almost half of its staff in favour of artificial intelligence. Plus, Nasa is turning to Elon Musk’s SpaceX after Boeing’s Starliner, which was meant to bring two US astronauts home, suffered technical problems. Mentioned in this...
Published 08/28/24
French authorities detain Telegram’s chief executive as part of a content moderation investigation, which has reignited the debate about free speech online. Plus, oil prices reached a two-week high as Libya says it is shutting down oil production, and Grenada triggers a first-of-its-kind ‘hurricane clause’ to pause its debt repayments. Mentioned in this podcast: Oil hits 2-week high after Libya says it will shut down crude exports  Grenada triggers ‘hurricane clause’ to suspend bond...
Published 08/27/24
Israel’s military launched a wave of air strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday, small-dollar donations surged to Kamala Harris’s campaign after she replaced Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket, and the world’s largest aerospace and defence companies are set to rake in record levels of cash over the next three years. Plus, computer programming might be the first job function to be transformed by the latest wave of AI technology. Mentioned in this podcast: Top defence contractors set to rake in...
Published 08/26/24
Democrats from across the US gathered in Chicago for their presidential convention this week, promising to move past the Donald Trump-era of American politics. But if their newly-minted nominee, vice-president Kamala Harris, wins November’s election, she’ll have her work cut out to keep her party together. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and US political news editor, Derek Brower, join this week’s Swamp Notes from Chicago to explain what the future of the party might...
Published 08/24/24
Kamala Harris made a bid for national unity at a rapturous Democratic National Convention. Plus, all eyes are on Jackson Hole today, where the Fed will reveal how it will lower US interest rates without triggering a recession. Meanwhile, investors are hedging their bets on these cuts coming soon, sending gold soaring.  Mentioned in this podcast: Kamala Harris pitches unity message as she makes her case to American voters  Gold goes for it  Gold hits record highs as investors bet on rate...
Published 08/23/24
PwC faces a six-month business ban in China, and Mexico’s Supreme Court judges go on strike. Plus, a potential takeover of 7-Eleven may set the tone for a new era of Japanese acquisitions.  Mentioned in this podcast: PwC expects six-month ban in China over Evergrande audit  Mexico’s judges to strike over López Obrador’s plan to fire them After 7-Eleven, Japan’s M&A scene may never be the same again  The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia...
Published 08/22/24
The US dollar sinks to its lowest level since the start of the year and Democrats are rushing to defend vice-president Kamala Harris’s economic road map. Plus, rising US-China tensions could threaten a decades-old science and technology pact. Mentioned in this podcast: Dollar hits 8-month low as US stocks start week higher  Democrats on defensive after Kamala Harris’s economic plans poorly received  China-US tensions erode co-operation on science and tech The FT News Briefing is produced by...
Published 08/20/24
Start-ups, legacy groups and policymakers are working out how to operate in areas of rising weather risks, and start-up failures shot up 60% in the past year. Plus, top international fashion brands are shifting orders away from Bangladesh because of recent political turmoil.  Mentioned in this podcast: FT series: the Uninsurable World Global fashion brands cut Bangladesh orders after turmoil Start-up failures jump by 60% as founders face hangover from boom years The Democratic National...
Published 08/19/24
Latino voters were once considered a reliable bet for Democrats. But with each passing election, Republicans are making more inroads with them. The FT’s Houston correspondent, Myles McCormick, and Republican political strategist, Mike Madrid, join this week’s Swamp Notes to unpack this shift.  Mentioned in this podcast: The Latino swing voters who could decide the US election Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor...
Published 08/17/24
A huge US-based oilfield services company is expanding its Russian business, investors are piling into US treasuries, and US retail sales saw their biggest jump in a year and a half in July. Plus, a decade-long dispute between Coca-Cola and federal tax authorities has escalated to the point that the company could owe $16bn in back payments. Mentioned in this podcast: US oil services group SLB expands in Russia as competitors withdraw  Investors return to bonds as recession fears stalk...
Published 08/16/24
Peace talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza start up again today, US inflation fell to 2.9 per cent in July, and Ukrainian forces are looking to hold on to newly-seized Russian territory. Plus, Germany’s chief prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man suspected of blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines.  Mentioned in this podcast: US inflation falls to 2.9% in July Ukrainian forces seek to hold Russian positions after capturing hundreds of troops The competing theories of...
Published 08/15/24
US stocks and Treasuries rallied as traders assessed lower than expected wholesale inflation data, and investors hope that abundant electricity in northern Sweden can power a new wave of industrialisation. Meanwhile, the world’s biggest publicly listed coal producer is dropping plans to ditch the commodity.  Mentioned in this podcast: US stocks climb as soft inflation data spurs Treasury rally Can Sweden deliver its much hyped green energy boom? ‘Cash is king’: Why Glencore kept faith with...
Published 08/14/24
Russia has trained its navy to hit European targets with nuclear-capable missiles, and 40 per cent of the biggest US manufacturing investments announced in the first year of Joe Biden’s flagship industrial and climate policies have been delayed or paused. Plus, we ask the FT’s Tom Hale if there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for China’s economy. Mentioned in this podcast: Russian navy trained to target sites inside Europe with nuclear-capable missiles China deflation fears ease as...
Published 08/13/24
More Americans trust Kamala Harris to handle the US economy than Donald Trump, European traders this summer are using only a fraction of Ukraine’s vast natural gas storage, and boycotts of western food and drinks brands in Muslim countries are hitting the revenues of multinationals. Plus, we look into why mid-tier US accounting firms are under increasing pressure to overhaul their networks.  Mentioned in this podcast: Widespread boycotts in Muslim countries hammer western brands US accounting...
Published 08/12/24
Kamala Harris has supercharged Democratic party voters’ enthusiasm in the weeks since President Joe Biden stepped down as the nominee. Can Tim Walz, a little-known Midwestern governor with an everyman appeal and a progressive agenda, help maintain that excitement as her vice-presidential pick? The FT’s global business columnist, Rana Foroohar, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join this week’s Swamp Notes to discuss what Walz adds to the ticket.  Mentioned in this podcast: Kamala...
Published 08/10/24
The stock market sell-off earlier this week may have been a bit of an overreaction, and overall consumer spending has been struggling recently. Plus, the FT’s Christopher Miller explains what Ukraine’s surprise counteroffensive in Russia means.  Mentioned in this podcast: Everyone calm down   US consumer spending slowdown weighs on travel and leisure groups  Battles rage in Russia as Kyiv advances in war’s largest counter-incursion  The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja...
Published 08/09/24
Google and Meta struck a secret ads deal to target teenagers, and the FT reports that the UK’s biggest private pension fund dumped £80mn of Israeli assets. Plus, the FT’s Benjamin Parkin updates us on the situation in Bangladesh. Mentioned in this podcast: Google and Meta struck secret ads deal to target teenagers  UK’s biggest private pension fund dumps £80mn of Israeli assets  How the world’s longest-serving female leader was toppled   The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja...
Published 08/08/24
Wall Street stocks rebounded yesterday as the markets stabilised from a global rout, Disney is raising its streaming prices and Chinese bonds are causing a lot of anxiety for the country’s lawmakers. Plus, the FT’s Sara Germano talks about the effort to make track and field more popular outside the Olympics.  Mentioned in this podcast: Wall Street stages partial rebound after Japanese stocks surge  Chinese yields hit record lows as investors defy central bank warnings  Kamala Harris chooses...
Published 08/07/24
Major stock indices were significantly down around the world yesterday. Plus, the FT’s Lucy Fisher explains why the far right is rioting in England and what the government is doing about it.  Mentioned in this podcast: US stocks finish sharply lower to close out global market rout  Why global investors find it so easy to sell Japan  Why are the far right rioting in England?  The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help...
Published 08/06/24
UK chancellor Rachel Reeves begins a three-day visit to New York and Toronto on Monday in an attempt to sell Britain as “a stable place to do business,” asset managers fret as high-yield savings and caution over market volatility have left up to $1.5tn out of the market, commodity bulls’ dash for the exit sends prices tumbling. Mentioned in this podcast: UK chancellor to court investors in visit to New York EU capitals set to back tariffs on Chinese electric cars, trade chief says Commodity...
Published 08/05/24
Only two political parties — the Republicans and the Democrats — have controlled the White House since 1853. However, candidates from other parties still run in presidential elections. The FT’s Washington reporter, Steff Chávez, and US business and politics correspondent, Alex Rogers, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain how third-party candidates could impact the 2024 US presidential race.  Mentioned in this podcast: Robert Kennedy Jr launches independent bid for US president Robert...
Published 08/03/24
Investors were not happy with Amazon’s earnings report and Russia agreed to a historic prisoner swap with western countries. Plus, the FT’s Tommy Stubbington discusses how markets might react to a week of important central bank interest rate decisions.   Mentioned in this podcast: Amazon earnings jump on cloud computing strength but margins narrow A momentous week for central banks  US journalist Evan Gershkovich released in Russia prisoner swap  The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona...
Published 08/02/24