FT News Briefing

Meta and Microsoft reported quarterly earnings as investors raised concerns about AI spending, and the US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. The Bank of Japan is also expected to leave rates unchanged at its meeting on Friday, and UK oil and gas companies are looking away from the North Sea in favour of foreign investment opportunities.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Microsoft’s cloud business boosts sales as AI investment climbs to $41bn
Meta shares drop on falling profits and weak sales forecast
US central bank holds rates steady even as Iran war threatens fresh jolt of inflation
UK North Sea oil companies look overseas for growth
Investors warn Bank of Japan faces test to inflation-fighting credibility
Listen to Unhedged on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify.
Credit: Federal Reserve

Save 10% on tickets with the code FTPodcast. Visit ft.com/festival to find out more.

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. 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.

Ukraine is shifting its long-range drone campaign to focus on critical Russian infrastructure, and Big Tech companies are facing an AI dilemma as they report quarterly earnings. Plus, Google DeepMind is leaving behind its Nobel-winning AlphaFold project for new ventures, and PwC published “thought leadership” reports containing AI-generated hallucinations.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Ukraine adapts strikes on Russian energy industry to hit critical components
Chip stocks tumble as AI sell-off deepens
Google DeepMind dismantles Nobel-winning AlphaFold team in strategy shift
PwC published ‘thought leadership’ reports marred by AI hallucinations

Listen to Unhedged on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify.

Save 10% on tickets to the FT Weekend Festival with the code FTPodcast. Visit ft.com/festival to find out more.

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. 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.

A crucial gauge of risk in holding the debt of companies at the centre of the AI boom has hit a record high, private capital group Ares Management has held talks to acquire Leonard Green & Partners, and French company TotalEnergies will be able to continue selling gas from its flagship Siberian project to Asia. Plus, institutional investors are snapping up bundles of UK homes at large discounts and sales at LVMH’s key fashion and handbags division returned to growth for the first time in two years.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Big Tech credit risks hit record highs as AI spending soars
Ares Management has held talks to buy Leonard Green Partners
Investors snap up bundles of UK properties as housebuilders offer discounts
TotalEnergies benefits from EU sanctions reprieve on Russian gas
Dior rebound helps LVMH’s fashion business return to growth

Save 10% on tickets with the code FTPodcast. Visit ft.com/festival to find out more.

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. 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.

Investors raised their bets the Federal Reserve will raise rates on Wednesday after this month’s jump in oil prices. And, firefighting efforts were boosted in France and Spain as “violent” wildfires raged. Plus, developing nations make plans for the next energy shock, and US artificial intelligence companies spend record amounts on lobbying.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Investors crank up bets on Federal Reserve rate rise after oil surge
‘Violent’ wildfires rage close to French and Spanish cities
India and South Africa lead push to amass emergency fuel stockpiles
AI companies spend record sums on Washington lobbying
The new premium product: books written by people

FT Weekend Festival
ft.com/festival

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. 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 unveiled new tariffs to replace old ones, oil’s jump above $100 deepened a global bond sell-off, and thousands of supporters of the youth-led “Cockroach” movement in India continued protesting over problems in the education system. Plus, the European Central Bank held interest rates, but other central banks may not follow suit.

Mentioned in this podcast:
US hits 60 countries with new duties as Donald Trump rebuilds tariff wall Oil hits $100 for first time since May while US stocks slide
Oil price surge drives global bond sell-off
India’s Gen Z takes on Modi
Indian police battle ‘Cockroach’ protesters with batons and tear gas
European Central Bank holds interest rates at 2.25% after debating rise
Credits: ANI / Reuters

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. 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.