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 slow Spotify hits record quarterly profit as it enters ‘new phase’ US FTC bans non-compete agreements Demand for Egyptian debt surges after $55bn bailout and investment package Latin American cocoa farmers rush to expand planting as prices spike
The 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spotify grows up

A rundown of the most important global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. Available every weekday morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News & Politics

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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 war The clash over whether to commandeer Russia’s frozen assets Divestment is not as easy as it may seem Berkshire Hathaway’s cash pile hits record as Buffett cuts stake in Apple Buffett lays out expansive role for successor Greg Abel at poignant Berkshire AGM
The 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.

Xi’s balancing act with Europe

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 protesters Police raid UCLA protest camp as clashes over Gaza spread across US Sign up for the FT’s Election Countdown newsletter here Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here
Swamp 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 NewsHour
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swamp Notes: The uproar at American universities

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 sales Japanese government spent $35bn to prop up yen, BoJ figures suggest Japan is haunted by a return to emerging-economy status FTC accuses ex-Pioneer boss of seeking to collude with Opec  How Europe solved its Russian gas problem
The 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 murky moves behind the yen

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 longer Cruise line Viking rises after launching year’s second-largest US IPO What triggered Noel Quinn’s shock exit from HSBC
The 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.

Higher rates for even longer (and longer)

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 gains Can 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 China
The 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.

Spotify grows up

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