FT News Briefing - Financial Times

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Markets keep calm despite global tensions Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

A strike that closed US east and Gulf coast ports will be suspended, and market reaction to escalations in the Middle East remains minimal. Plus, Italy’s government will raise more taxes from companies earning windfall profits, and luxury group LVMH will become a top sponsor of car-racing franchise Formula One.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US dockworkers suspend strike that threatened to cripple ports

Italy seeks to raise more windfall taxes from companies

The market reaction to global tensions might not follow the old script

LVMH strikes sponsorship deal with Formula 1

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Credit: CNBC, LVMH

The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Displacement pushes Lebanon to the brink Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

UK house sales rise at the fastest rate in three years, mass displacement in Lebanon risks overwhelming a country battered by economic crises, and Brussels intends to postpone a controversial EU anti-deforestation law for a year following a backlash. Plus, two-thirds of all new solar and wind power projects are based in China.

Mentioned in this podcast:

UK house sales rise at fastest pace in three years, data shows

China’s accelerating green transition

EU moves to delay anti-deforestation rules

Lebanon’s broken state struggles with 1mn displaced

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Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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A day of escalation in the Middle East Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

Iran fires missiles at Israel, hours after the IDF launches a ground offensive in Lebanon. France’s new Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced tax rises on large companies and the wealthy, and US business groups warned of economic ‘paralysis’ after tens of thousands of dockworkers went on strike. Plus, investors are seeking to profit from the uncertainty over the outcome of the US presidential race.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Iran launches missile attack against Israel

French premier Michel Barnier announces tax rises and spending cuts

US economy faces ‘paralysis’ before election as dockworkers go on strike

Investors turn to volatility trades to profit from tight US election

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Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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AI start-ups generate revenue at record pace Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

SoftBank will invest $500mn into OpenAI as part of a fundraising round that will give the start-up a $150bn valuation, and Chinese equities post their best day since the 2008 global financial crisis. Plus, new data suggests artificial intelligence start-ups are bringing in revenues at an unprecedented rate, and South Korean exporters are struggling to compete with a glut of goods from Chinese rivals.

Mentioned in this podcast:

SoftBank to invest $500mn in OpenAI

AI start-ups generate money faster than past hyped tech companies

Chinese stocks surge 8.5% in best day since 2008

From steel to kimchi, South Korean exporters face flood of Chinese rivals

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Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Hizbollah reels after the death of its leader Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

In the wake of Hassan Nasrallah’s death, Hizbollah looks for a way forward, and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen goes on trial for allegedly embezzling EU funds. Peter Thiel’s venture capital firm is backing a nuclear start-up aimed at fueling artificial intelligence, and a handful of high frequency trading firms have seized market share from traditional investment banks.

Mentioned in this podcast:

What's next for Hizbollah?

Marine Le Pen goes on trial over EU expenses scandal

Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund backs nuclear fuel start-up

New titans of Wall Street: How trading firms stole a march on big banks

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Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Swamp Notes: Harris and Trump pitch their economic visions Sep 28, 2024

Show notes

Voters consistently tell pollsters that economic issues are their top electoral concern. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have spent the past few weeks honing their economic messages — and they couldn’t be more different. The FT’s US managing editor, Peter Spiegel, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join to explore how each candidates’ plan would impact the country.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Trumponomics: the radical plan that would reshape America’s economy

Kamala Harris sets out pro-business economic philosophy in swing-state speech

Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

CREDIT: MSNBC, Fox News

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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How extremist settlers in the West Bank became the law Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

UK chancellor Rachel Reeves may backtrack on a key tax plan, Saudi Arabia is ready to abandon its unofficial price target of $100 a barrel for crude, and Citigroup announced a $25bn deal with Apollo to lend to private equity groups and low-rated US companies. Plus, Palestinian villagers in the West Bank are experiencing heightened violence after Hamas’s devastating October 7 assault on Israel.

Mentioned in this podcast:

UK chancellor ready to water down planned tax raid on wealthy foreigners

Saudi Arabia ready to abandon $100 crude target to take back market share

Citi turns to Apollo for $25bn private credit push

How extremist settlers in the West Bank became the law

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Banks warm up to nuclear power Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

OpenAI’s chief technology officer is leaving the company, major banks pledge to increase their support for nuclear energy, and hopes of an M&A comeback rise as global companies pursue blockbuster takeovers. Plus, a surge in female labour force participation emerges as a bright spot for Saudi Arabia.

Mentioned in this podcast:

OpenAI’s chief technology officer Mira Murati to leave

Big corporate predators bolster global M&A market

The Saudi factories powered by women

World’s biggest banks pledge support for nuclear power

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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China unleashes stimulus blitz Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

The US Department of Justice has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Visa, China has unleashed a swath of stimulus measures to jump-start growth and the incoming CEO at Trafigura signals a new era for the trading house. Plus, Sri Lanka has a new leftwing president who has promised a fresh start for the country.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US antitrust lawsuit accuses Visa of using dominance to shut down rivals

China unleashes stimulus blitz to lift growth

Trafigura set to name Richard Holtum as chief executive

Sri Lanka swears in leftist election winner as president amid concerns over IMF deal

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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A hostile takeover looms in European banking Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

The US proposed effectively banning Chinese cars, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came out against a UniCredit takeover of Commerzbank and Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Lebanon. Plus, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will try to turn around the Labour party’s mood during a speech at the party conference.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US proposes banning Chinese software and components in vehicles

Israeli strikes kill more than 490 in Lebanon, says health ministry

Olaf Scholz says Germany opposes a Commerzbank takeover

Keir Starmer faces 2 challenges in Liverpool

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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