Behind the Money

4.7 (23)
BUSINESS
UPDATED WEEKLY

From hostile takeovers to C-suite intrigue, Behind the Money takes you inside the business and financial stories of the moment with reporting from Financial Times journalists around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 DAYS AGO

Why Islamic banking is taking off

A huge chunk of any typical bank’s profits comes from charging interest. But what happens when you can’t do that? This week, we’re traveling to Pakistan with the FT’s Humza Jilani, where the country has decided to make its entire banking sector align with Islamic law, which forbids charging interest. We’ll discuss how Islamic banks function and if this banking model can become Pakistan’s dominant system. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: Meezan Bank’s soaring shares herald rise of Islamic finance in Pakistan Clerics’ rule change threatens to throw Islamic debt market into turmoil World Bank approves 10-year $20bn Pakistan lending package - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Humza Jilani (@humza_jilani) and Saffeya Ahmed on X (@saffeya-ahmed), or follow Saffeya on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 min
26 MAR

Retail’s last barbarian takes on Walgreens Boots

Years ago, an ailing company like Walgreens Boots Alliance may have seemed like a prime acquisition target for deal-hungry private equity firms. But many have backed away from retail recently, leaving an opening for groups like Sycamore Partners who are willing to buck the trend. Sycamore announced this month that it would take the global pharmacy business private in a $23.7bn debt and equity deal. The FT’s Due Diligence reporter, Amelia Pollard, explains the well-worn playbook that Sycamore has used on past retail companies, and whether it will work this time with a chain that has its own share of unique problems. Clips from Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: Retail’s last barbarian: the private equity group about to play hardball with Boots What went wrong after Walgreens bought Boots? Walgreens bondholders could be winners from its debt-laden buyout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Amelia Pollard (@ameliajpollard) on X or (@pollard.bsky.social) on Bluesky. Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. For more from Amelia and her team, sign up for the Due Diligence newsletter. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 min
19 MAR

How high gold prices are fueling a chocolate shortage

The surging price of gold is leading to some unexpected outcomes. The FT’s Aanu Adeoye traveled to Ghana to see how this is playing out among two of the country’s top commodities: gold and cocoa. Aanu and the FT’s Susannah Savage explain how the two commodities are linked and how it is impacting the people who live in the country. Clips from NBC, ABC, CBS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: How illegal gold mining is fuelling a chocolate shortage Food groups develop a taste for cocoa alternatives From London to New York via Switzerland: the booming trade in gold bars - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Aanu Adeoye (@aanuadeoye) and Susannah Savage (@SavageSusannah) on X. Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 min
12 MAR

Inside an investment banking battle royale

Disputes over power and pay aren’t unusual at Wall Street’s top firms. What isn’t ordinary is when the conflict turns into a decade-long legal battle. That was the case for boutique investment firm Perella Weinberg Partners and their former star banker, Michael Kramer. After 10 years, their dispute recently went to trial in Manhattan. The FT’s Wall Street editor Sujeet Indap had a seat inside the courtroom, and tells us what he learned about the inner workings of the firm. Clips from Bloomberg, Fox Business - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: Perella Weinberg trial lifts veil on bitter feud among top bankers Court brawl reveals fractious world of investment banking Wall Street’s battle of the bankers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Sujeet Indap on X (@sindap) or on Bluesky (@sindap.bsky.social). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 min
5 MAR

Tracking Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’

Little is known about Russia’s “shadow fleet”. These ships have been used to move Russian oil around the globe and avoid restrictions put in place by western governments after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The existence of the shadow fleet is worth billions of dollars a year to the Kremlin. But who owns these ships? How were they acquired? Who oversees their operations? Many of these questions went unanswered, until a recent FT investigation. Senior energy correspondent Tom Wilson explains what he found and what could happen next for the fleet as an end to the war is discussed among world leaders. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: How Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ gets its ships Shares in shipbroker Braemar fall after FT report on Russian ‘shadow fleet’ UK cracks down on Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ EU agrees new Russia sanctions in the face of US push to end Ukraine war To see some of the vessels mentioned in this episode, check out the Bosphorus Observer, the blog of ship spotter Yoruk Isik. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Tom Wilson on X (@thomas_m_wilson). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 min
26 FEB

Vanguard: can it keep playing disruptor?

Vanguard became a powerhouse money manager thanks to a commitment to the philosophy of founder Jack Bogle. Now, with a new chief executive, can the firm push into other areas of financial services and reshape those too? The FT’s US managing editor Brooke Masters explains how the company’s guiding mantra could help or hinder these plans. Clips from CNBC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: How Vanguard plans to play disruptor again Vanguard puts pressure on rivals with large round of fee cuts Vanguard plans fresh push into active fixed-income market - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Brooke Masters on X (@brookeamasters), or on Bluesky (@brookeamasters.ft.com) Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
19 FEB

The story behind DeepSeek’s breakthrough

This January, DeepSeek made an announcement that changed the artificial intelligence landscape. The Chinese start-up said that it had trained the latest in a series of competitive AI models, which appeared to be built much more cheaply than those of Silicon Valley competitors. The FT’s China technology correspondent, Eleanor Olcott, first wrote a story about the company last summer. She’s on today to discuss how DeepSeek’s founder Liang Wenfeng was able to finance and grow his company at a time when start-up funding is scarce in China, and often comes with too many strings attached. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: Liang Wenfeng, the DeepSeek founder panicking the tech world The global AI race: is China catching up to the US? Xi Jinping seizes DeepSeek moment to restore China tech chiefs to spotlight - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Eleanor Olcott on X (@EleanorOlcott). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 min
12 FEB

Can NYSE stay up all night?

The New York Stock Exchange wants to get in on a growing trend amongst investors: overnight stock trading. The largest exchange in the world recently submitted a proposal to allow shares to trade for 22 hours a day. US markets editor Jennifer Hughes looks into the thorny questions this proposal raises about how equity markets function. Clips from New York Stock Exchange - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading: Is Wall Street ready to stay up all night? US regulators approve first round-the-clock stock exchange What does Robinhood want to be when it grows up? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Jennifer Hughes on X (@jennhughes13). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 min

See All (254)

4.7

out of 5

23 Ratings

Very good

3 Jan

OziMozzie

An interesting and educational podcast with a highly engaging host.
Where are you???

30/03/2021

Ricardo Avocado fan

Love this podcast!! When is it coming back?
Excellent podcast

03/11/2020

violinissimo

I like Amy’s approach of taking a deep analytical multifaceted dive on a specific phenomenon of the money market each time rather than broad and shallow discussion on many
Compulsory listening

03/11/2018

Luhucas

This podcast is outstanding. FT / other experts engaging in deep, proper analysis of the major forces shaping business today

From hostile takeovers to C-suite intrigue, Behind the Money takes you inside the business and financial stories of the moment with reporting from Financial Times journalists around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.