FT News Briefing

Some World Trade Organization members are preparing to unveil a new grouping to boost “trade openness”, and the FT’s Katie Martin unpacks the lack of market moves after Nvidia’s outlook. Plus, a four-month “ninja stealth rally” has driven Tokyo’s equity market to record highs. Mentioned in this podcast:Singapore, UAE and other small nations to launch trade partnershipNvidia growth outlook hit by China uncertaintyJapan’s ‘ninja stealth rally’ draws in global investorsListen to the Swamp Notes podcast on the World Trade OrganizationToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, Michael Lello, David da Silva 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

Nvidia’s earnings report signalled solid growth, cryptocurrencies are taking a hold of Venezuela’s economy, and more than half of the UK’s biggest listed companies chose external candidates as their new chief executive. Plus, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son has become an unofficial diplomat between Washington and Tokyo. Mentioned in this podcast:Nvidia revenue jumps 56% on robust AI demandHow SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son became Donald Trump’s favoured foreign investorCrypto goes mainstream in VenezuelaLondon’s rush for external CEO candidates shows succession planning weaknessToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples 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 

Investors are worried that Donald Trump’s attempted firing of a Federal Reserve governor could undermine faith in the world’s most important central bank, and FT sources say the US has said it is prepared to provide intelligence assets to any western security plan for postwar Ukraine. Plus, French assets were hit on Tuesday as investors reacted to the prospect of a government collapse as soon as next month.Mentioned in this podcast:US long-term debt sells off after Trump’s attempted firing of Fed governorUS offers air and intelligence support to postwar force in UkraineFrench assets hit by prospect of government collapseToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, 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

US President Donald Trump said he was firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, shares in Ørsted plunged after the Trump administration halted one of the Danish wind farm developer’s almost-completed projects, and Elon Musk’s xAI has sued Apple and OpenAI alleging they broke antitrust rules. Plus, Germany’s government is encouraging young people to invest in the stock market rather than rely on the country’s flailing pension programme. Mentioned in this podcast:Trump says he is firing Fed governor Lisa Cook ‘effective immediately’Musk’s xAI sues Apple and OpenAI over ChatGPT and iPhone integrationGermany’s pensions crisis: can €10 a month change how people invest?Ørsted shares plunge to record low after US government halts projectToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples 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

Jay Powell signalled a monetary policy shift during a high-profile Jackson Hole speech last week, and European investors are pouring money into new air defence technology. Plus, Spanish bank Santander is seeking to become a big player in Wall Street’s Spac market. Mentioned in this podcast:Jay Powell paves the way for Federal Reserve interest rate cut in SeptemberWall Street’s September Fed rate cut bets still hinge on economic dataVenture capital steps up ‘Iron Dome’ air defence investmentsSantander signals Wall St ambition with Spac mandatesToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Ethan Plotkin, and Sonja Hutson. Additional help from Alex Higgins, 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

EU officials are accelerating plans for a digital euro, and the US Department of Justice has called for Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to be removed from her post. Plus, investors lost billions of dollars in July in what could be pump and dump stock scams. Mentioned in this podcast:EU speeds up plans for digital euro after US passes stablecoin lawJustice department calls on Federal Reserve to sack governor Lisa Cook‘I almost fell off my chair’: Investors lose billions on meme stocks as ‘pump and dump’ scams multiplySign up for the FT Weekend Festival at ft.com/festival and use the promo code “FTPodcasts” for 10 per cent off.Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Katya Kumkova, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, 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

Chinese regulators are pushing back against US AI chips, Target shares fell more than 6 per cent after the retail group picked an insider to be its new chief executive, and UK inflation accelerated more than expected to 3.8 per cent in July. Plus, China is making a big push for vehicle battery swapping.Mentioned in this podcast:Beijing turns against Nvidia’s AI chip after ‘insulting’ Lutnick remarksTarget shares drop as retailer picks insider to lead turnaround driveUK inflation rises more than expected to 3.8% in JulyWill a 3-minute battery swap beat a 5-minute charge for China’s EV drivers?Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Katya Kumkova, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, David da Silva 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

US tech stocks sold off on Tuesday, and Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell will be between a rock and a hard place when he delivers his speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium this Friday. Plus, Ozempic-maker Novo Nordisk has fallen behind its rivals. Does it have a plan to catch up? Mentioned in this podcast:Jay Powell to deliver Jackson Hole address under fire on multiple frontsUS tech stocks hit by wave of concerns over future of AI boomHow Novo Nordisk lost its lead in the weight loss raceLabubu frenzy sends Pop Mart profits soaringToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Katya Kumkova, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our 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

US President Donald Trump floated the prospect of US security guarantees for Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking for options after India got hit by extremely high US tariffs, Soho House has agreed to a take-private deal, and Softbank is buying $2bn worth of Intel shares. Plus, the FT’s Leila Abboud explains why more Italian bonds are starting to look a little more like French bonds. Mentioned in this podcast:Trump floats US security guarantees for Ukraine in meeting with ZelenskyyFrench borrowing costs close in on Italy’s as investors fret over debtsDonald Trump tariffs threaten Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ driveSoho House agrees $2.7bn take-private dealSoftBank to buy $2bn in Intel shares as it grows US investmentsToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry and Gavin Kallmann. Our 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