Pandemic winners turned losers

The US Federal Reserve is fiercely independent, but that doesn’t mean politicians always treat it that way. The FT’s US national editor, Edward Luce, and acting US economics editor, Claire Jones, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain how the central bank’s policy could affect the economy and therefore have an impact on the election result. Plus, why a second term for Donald Trump could put pressure on the Fed to play politics.Mentioned in this podcast:Trump’s dot plot for the FedJay Powell’s dilemma: the US economy is too strong to cut ratesGlobal inflation and interest rates tracker: see how your country comparesSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp 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. Original music by Hannis Brown. CREDIT: US Federal ReserveRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anglo American’s crucial South African shareholders are open to a takeover offer from BHP, Nippon Steel has vowed to push ahead with its $14.9bn acquisition of US Steel, and China’s President Xi Jinping has hailed Hungary as one of Beijing’s most important strategic partners. Plus, most pandemic corporate winners have turned into post-pandemic losers. Mentioned in this podcast:Anglo American’s South Africa investors open to improved BHP bidNippon Steel predicts ‘calmer discussions’ with unions after US presidential electionXi Jinping upgrades China’s ties with Hungary to ‘all-weather’ partnership Pandemic-era winners suffer $1.5tn fall in market valueThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shares in Arm drop after it reports lacklustre revenue projections, Singapore is studying proposals to shake up its struggling stock market, EU countries have agreed to use an estimated €3bn in profits from Russia’s frozen state assets to buy weapons for Ukraine, and a newly expanded pipeline in Canada breathes life into the oil industry. Plus, hedge fund manager Sir Paul Marshall has lost a legal battle with the South African government over shipwrecked treasure. Mentioned in this podcast:Arm shares drop as revenue forecast falls short despite AI boomSingapore battles to revive struggling stock marketEU agrees to arm Ukraine using profits from Russian state assetsCanada’s oil industry cuts reliance on US market as pipeline expandsHedge fund boss Paul Marshall loses case over silver salvaged from shipwreckThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reddit's first-quarter earnings as a listed company surpass expectations, Israel threatened to expand its military operation in Rafah, and TikTok filed a lawsuit against the US government to block a potential ban of the social media app. Plus, global trade growth is set to more than double this year as inflation eases and a booming US economy helps drive activity.Mentioned in this podcast:US revokes licences for supply of chips to China’s HuaweiTikTok challenges divest-or-ban bill in US courtIsrael threatens to expand Rafah operation as US struggles to revive talksGlobal trade growth set to more than double this yearUS revokes licences for supply of chips to China’s HuaweiReddit soars 16% after beating Wall Street estimates in first post-IPO quarterThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SoftBank is leading an investment of more than $1bn into a UK self-driving car start-up, and poppy and marijuana farming money is disappearing from rural areas as traffickers shift to synthetic drugs. Plus, the FT’s Anna Nicolaou explains the rival bids to buy Paramount. Mentioned in this podcast:SoftBank leads $1bn funding for UK artificial intelligence group WayveEl Chapo’s opium heartland bereft as Mexico cartels embrace fentanylShari Redstone, a media scion weighing the future of her ravaged empireJames Cameron and Ari Emanuel back Skydance bid for ParamountBrussels seeks to ban Russian funding of European politiciansThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warren Buffett said Greg Abel should have the final decision on investments at Berkshire Hathaway, the US and Europe disagree on how to manage Russia’s frozen assets, and Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Europe. Plus, college students in the US are calling for their universities to divest from Israel, but it’s not that simple. Mentioned in this podcast:Bonhomie and hardball: Xi Jinping visits Europe to avert trade warThe clash over whether to commandeer Russia’s frozen assetsDivestment is not as easy as it may seemBerkshire Hathaway’s cash pile hits record as Buffett cuts stake in AppleBuffett lays out expansive role for successor Greg Abel at poignant Berkshire AGMThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Student-led protests against Israel’s war in Gaza have spread across the US in recent weeks, with demonstrators building tent encampments on university grounds, and even storming university buildings. The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and FT New York correspondent, Joshua Chaffin, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why the protests could hurt President Joe Biden’s re-election chances.Mentioned in this podcast:New York police storm Columbia University and arrest pro-Palestinian protestersPolice raid UCLA protest camp as clashes over Gaza spread across USSign up for the FT’s Election Countdown newsletter hereSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor, Kasia Broussalian 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. Original music by Hannis Brown. CREDIT: NBC News New York, X/@JaunMaBenitez, X/@AnthonyCabassa_, PBS NewsHourRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apple’s revenue fell 4 per cent in the first three months of 2024, Japan apparently intervened several times this week to support the yen, and US regulators have accused the former boss of the largest US shale oil producer of trying to collude with the Opec cartel. Plus, Europe solved its Russian gas problems in the short term, but created long-term problems.Mentioned in this podcast:Apple’s revenue weighed down by falling China salesJapanese government spent $35bn to prop up yen, BoJ figures suggestJapan is haunted by a return to emerging-economy statusFTC accuses ex-Pioneer boss of seeking to collude with Opec How Europe solved its Russian gas problemThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Federal Reserve has signalled that US borrowing costs are likely to remain higher for longer, and cruise operator Viking Holdings rose on its market debut. Plus the FT’s Owen Walker explains what the exit of HSBC chief executive Noel Quinn means for the bank’s China strategy. Mentioned in this podcast:Federal Reserve signals that interest rates will remain higher for longerCruise line Viking rises after launching year’s second-largest US IPOWhat triggered Noel Quinn’s shock exit from HSBCThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strong sales at Amazon’s cloud computing division helped the Big Tech giant beat analyst estimates for revenue and profit, private capital is playing a growing role in the green energy transformation, and foreign carmakers are teaming up with Chinese technology groups to compete in the local market.  Mentioned in this podcast:Amazon’s strong cloud sales help power revenue gainsCan private equity accelerate the green transition?Jeremy Hunt warns FCA against ‘naming and shaming’ business‘Everything has changed’: foreign auto groups embrace local technology in ChinaThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.