Pfizer plays hardball in weight-loss drug fight

Palantir lifted its 2025 revenue guidance and Pfizer has filed a second lawsuit against Novo Nordisk and obesity drug start-up Metsera. Plus, OpenAI inked a $38bn computing deal with Amazon, and the FT’s Claire Jones explains how the Trump administration is considering pushing for wider global dollar adoption. Mentioned in this podcast:Palantir lifts 2025 sales outlook after posting strong quarterly growthPfizer files second lawsuit to block Novo Nordisk’s $9bn Metsera bidOpenAI strikes $38bn computing deal with AmazonUS pushes for wider global dollar adoptionToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michela Tindera, 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.

The US Supreme Court begins hearing arguments this week for President Trump’s tariff policy. Plus, voters will head to the polls for state races seen as a referendum on the first year of Trump’s second term, and private equity may be full of zombie firms in the next decade. Then, a look at how China is filling a gap in the solar-energy space.Mentioned in this podcast:Businesses press Supreme Court to strike down Trump’s emergency tariff power Trump and plastic bags: New Jersey is bellwether of US political moodPrivate capital zombie firms will pile up in next decade, says EQT chiefThe global boom in solar – with or without the USToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Marc Filippino, and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help 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.

Amazon and Apple delivered solid earnings reports, and the FT’s Gideon Rachman explores whether Donald Trump’s foreign policy wins in Asia will hold. Plus, the European Central Bank has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged and the FT’s Jennifer Hughes says India’s initial public offering boom is not too hot, not too cold – it’s just right. Mentioned in this podcast:Amazon revenues rise 13% on strength in cloud computing unitApple predicts holiday boom in iPhone sales‘Rely on America at your peril’: the vagaries of Trump’s foreign policyEurozone economy expands 0.2% in third quarterECB holds interest rates at 2%India’s IPO boom has a goldilocks feel Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Lucy Baldwin, Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann 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.

Meta and Microsoft had mixed earnings reports, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and said it would halt quantitative tightening and South Korea has agreed to invest $350bn in the US in return for lower tariffs on car exports. Plus, John Malone is stepping down as chair of his media and telecoms empire, marking the end of an era in which the “cable cowboy” reshaped both industries.Mentioned in this podcast:Meta hit by huge AI spendingFederal Reserve trims US interest rates by quarter point but casts doubt on December cutFederal Reserve nears end of QT amid signs of stress in money marketsUS and South Korea seal trade deal‘Cable cowboy’ John Malone to step down from media and telecoms empireToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Lucy Baldwin, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and 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.

OpenAI said it had completed a long-awaited restructuring, and Tesla’s chair has stepped up her campaign to win shareholder support for Elon Musk’s $1tn pay package. Plus, South Korea’s Kospi is the world's top-performing major stock index by far this year. Mentioned in this podcast:Microsoft valuation passes $4tn as OpenAI completes restructuringTesla chair warns Musk could quit if shareholders reject $1tn pay dealWhat is driving the world’s best-performing stock market?Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. 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.

US companies struck more than $80bn worth of deals, Argentina’s currency and government bonds surged after a landslide electoral victory for President Javier Milei’s party. Plus, JPMorgan Chase has invested $75mn in an Idaho-based mining company, and Apple’s services revenue is projected to climb to record highs. Mentioned in this podcast:US companies strike $80bn in mergers as Trump boosts dealmakingArgentine bonds and currency surge after victory for Javier Milei’s partyJPMorgan backs gold miner in initial investment by ‘America First’ fundApple hits $100bn services revenue milestone despite growing legal risksToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin 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.

US President Donald Trump is in Asia this week ahead of high-stakes trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Plus, the UK chancellor is pushing for her own trade deal in the Gulf, and the US Federal Reserve is heading into its next meeting without some important economic data. Mentioned in this podcast:‘Positive framework’ agreed for Trump-Xi summit, says Scott BessentUK chancellor to hold Gulf trade talks in push for pro-growth policiesMarkets brace as Argentines go to the pollsToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin, Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Alexander 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.

Laura Hughes receives a tip that horses are dropping dead in Wales. As she investigates, she finds decades of academic studies researching the problem. She learns these aren’t isolated incidents. Something is spreading across the countryside. It’s undetectable to humans, nobody knows it’s there — until they fall ill. Subscribe to Untold: Toxic Legacy, for the rest of the series.For more information on how to live safely with lead, please visit the LEAPP Alliance website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump’s sanctions on Russian oil companies shook energy markets on Thursday, and the US president pardoned Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao. Plus, President Javier Milei’s economic plan rests in the hands of this weekend’s midterms elections in Argentina.Mentioned in this podcast:Trump’s oil sanctions shake India and energy marketsDonald Trump pardons Binance crypto founder Changpeng ZhaoMilei’s make-or-break momentSave 40% on a standard annual digital subscription: ft.com/briefingsale Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michela Tindera, 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.

Tesla said its quarterly profit fell by more than a quarter, Sequoia Capital’s chief operating officer resigned over comments made by partner Shaun Maguire that she regarded as Islamophobic, and UK inflation unexpectedly held steady at 3.8 per cent in September. Plus, the Trump administration has been quietly suppressing climate change data. Mentioned in this podcast:Tesla profits drop more than a quarter despite record salesSequoia COO quit over Shaun Maguire’s comments about MamdaniUK inflation unexpectedly holds steady at 3.8% in SeptemberThe costs of Trump’s campaign to censor climate scienceSave 40% on a standard annual digital subscription: ft.com/briefingsale Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michela Tindera and 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.