FT News Briefing

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

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

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

Humza Yousaf is resigning as Scotland’s first minister, and WeWork’s senior creditors are poised to take control of the reorganised co-working space provider. Plus, an Africa-focused venture capital firm has steered one of the region’s biggest fundraising efforts of the past five months. Mentioned in this podcast:Humza Yousaf quits as Scotland’s first ministerWeWork agrees restructuring deal that shuts out Adam Neumann’s comeback bidAfrica-focused fund draws early investors to tech industryFT Life & Art podcastThe 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

Financial companies scramble to rework contracts after US Federal Trade Commission rule bans non-compete agreements, the largest western banks that remain in Russia paid the Kremlin hundreds of millions of euros in taxes last year, and Turkey is in talks with the US energy supermajor ExxonMobil over a multibillion-dollar deal to buy liquefied natural gas. Plus, the message from Big Tech companies to investors about when AI will be profitable: be patient. Mentioned in this podcast:Ban on non-compete agreements sends shockwave across Wall StreetMicrosoft and Alphabet enjoy AI-powered gains from cloud divisionsQuestion of pay-off from AI hangs over Big Tech earningsWestern banks in Russia paid €800mn in taxes to Kremlin last yearTurkey in talks with ExxonMobil over multibillion-dollar LNG dealThe 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

The US Supreme Court set out to answer a big constitutional question on Thursday: can a president be charged for potential crimes committed while in office? The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and US legal and enforcement correspondent, Stefania Palma, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why the answer could determine the outcome of Donald Trump’s federal trials and the future of the American presidency.Mentioned in this podcast:US Supreme Court debates limits of presidential immunity in Donald Trump appealDonald Trump prepares his final pitch on presidential immunitySign 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. CREDIT: CNNRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Microsoft beat expectations for revenue and cloud sales, Alphabet shares rise by double-digits after first-quarter earnings beat expectations, markets are no longer fully confident of a US interest rate cut before September, and the EU is turning to draconian tactics to curb migration. Plus, a merger between mining giants BHP and Anglo American could get investors excited about the industry again. Mentioned in this podcast:Alphabet shares surge past $2tn after search giant unveils first ever dividendMicrosoft’s revenue and cloud sales beat expectationsBiden dealt blow as investors scale back bets on pre-election rate cutWhy is BHP bidding for Anglo American?BHP proposes £31bn takeover of Anglo American in mining mega-dealHow Europe is paying other countries to police its bordersThe 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

Meta’s revenues jumped by more than a quarter in the first three months of the year, Brussels raided the offices of a Chinese security equipment supplier, and earnings from Boeing reflected a slowdown of 737 Max production and compensation to customers. Plus, weapon shipments are heading to Ukraine after President Joe Biden signed a highly anticipated $95bn foreign aid bill. Mentioned in this podcast:Meta shares fall as it predicts higher expenditure on AIEU conducts ‘dawn raid’ on Chinese security equipment supplierPentagon rushes $1bn in weapons to Kyiv after Biden signs aid billJoe Biden tells Volodymyr Zelenskyy US weapons will arrive ‘quickly’Boeing burns through $4bn in first quarter after door plug blowoutThe 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

Tesla reported a 9 per cent decline in first-quarter revenue, Spotify kicked off a more mature era for its business after years of freer spending, and the US Federal Trade Commission banned non-compete clauses for employees. Plus, international investors have rushed into Egypt’s debt after the most populous Arab nation secured a $55bn bailout.Mentioned in this podcast:Tesla revenue declines in first quarter as vehicle sales slowSpotify hits record quarterly profit as it enters ‘new phase’US FTC bans non-compete agreementsDemand for Egyptian debt surges after $55bn bailout and investment packageLatin American cocoa farmers rush to expand planting as prices spikeThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Katya Kumkova, 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