Investors are snapping up Venezuela’s defaulted debt, JPMorgan Chase has withdrawn almost $350bn in cash from its account at the Federal Reserve since 2023, and the US unemployment rate rose to its highest level in more than four years. Plus, global asset managers’ cash holdings have fallen to a record low in a sign of investors’ bullishness about the AI-fuelled stock market rally.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Investors pile into Venezuelan debt in regime change bet

JPMorgan pulls $350bn from Federal Reserve to buy up Treasuries

Bullish investors pile into stocks as cash levels sink to record low

US unemployment rate hits four-year high of 4.6%

Fifa offers cheaper World Cup tickets in response to outcry

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Victoria Craig 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.

Shell’s merger chief departed after a bid to acquire rival BP was quashed internally, and the EU’s top trade official warns the bloc would lose global credibility if it fails to approve its trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries. Plus, Brussels plans to scrap the EU’s 2035 combustion engine ban, and hedge funds and trading firms are piling into physical commodities markets in search of new sources of returns.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Shell mergers chief departed after CEO blocked bid for BP

EU will lose face if it rejects Mercosur deal, warns trade commissioner

Brussels plans to scrap 2035 combustion engine ban

Hedge funds pile into commodities in search of fresh source of returns

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and produced by Sonja Hutson. 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.

A terror attack on a Jewish event in Sydney kills more than a dozen people. Plus, investors are increasingly concerned about how much debt is funding the AI boom, world leaders meet to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, and it’s a big week for US economic data. And: The FT’s ‘Behind the Money’ podcast looks into whistleblowing in the UK.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Gunmen who killed 15 in Sydney attack on Jewish festival were father and son

Investors seek protection from risk of AI debt bust

Ukraine offers to drop Nato membership demands

Behind the Money podcast

Investors will have to wait until new year for clear data on US economy

Bank of England set to cut rates to 3.75% as economic data eases inflation concerns

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Persis Love and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Alex 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.