Podcasts

The Exchange: The Asianisation of the world

17 September 2019

A splintering West and increasingly interconnected East is creating a newly powerful mega-region, according to Parag Khanna, author of “The Future is Asian.” He swung by the Breakingviews office in Hong Kong to break down the economic and geopolitical rationales behind his idea.

Viewsroom: Nissan’s car-crash CEO

11 September 2019

Hiroto Saikawa is stepping down amid controversy over his pay. It has implications for the company’s rocky Renault alliance, and by extension for the French carmaker’s recent attempt to merge with Fiat Chrysler. Plus, is activist Elliott Management going soft on AT&T?

The Exchange: Enrico Letta

10 September 2019

Italy’s new coalition government, cobbled together from the centre-left and quixotic 5-Star Movement, has been greeted gleefully by markets and EU allies. But one former prime minister warns about complacency, calling for a reset with Brussels, tax cuts and renewed investment.

Viewsroom: How money really can grow on trees

5 September 2019

Done right, reforestation can capture much of the carbon causing climate change. It would improve crop yields and water quality and lessen the power of floods and storms like Hurricane Dorian. There are good financial returns to reap, too. Plus: the Alibaba competitor to watch.

The Exchange: White House hopeful Tom Steyer

3 September 2019

The hedge fund founder has already spent millions to impeach Donald Trump. He’s now trying to replace the U.S. president, joining a crowded Democratic field. The Exchange went to his campaign office to discuss why he is running and what he thinks of businessmen as politicians.

Viewsroom: Brexit’s pro-rogue nation

29 August 2019

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has prorogued parliament, cutting the time available for lawmakers to thwart a planned Oct. 31 EU departure. What does this mean for Brexit and the UK economy? Plus: we pick through the wreckage of China’s crashing automotive market.

The Exchange: Banking on water

27 August 2019

Wall Street is diving into climate risk - with the exception of water. Torgny Holmgren of the Stockholm International Water Institute explains how that’s starting to change and how properly valuing the asset and smart use of technology are key to solving the crisis.

Viewsroom: How to read the recession runes

22 August 2019

A U.S. downturn is near, judging by past early warning signals from yield curves to bank valuations. But fallout from the 2008 crisis has sapped them of some predictive power. Plus: what the exit of Cathay Pacific’s CEO says about Beijing’s response to the Hong Kong protests.

Viewsroom: WeWork unfurls the red flags

15 August 2019

The shared-office provider’s long-awaited IPO filing is packed with pointless life-affirming tropes. But it also details a host of conflicts of interest and other risks that should send investors running. Plus: India’s powerhouse Reliance is building a war chest for dominance.

The Exchange: Nile Rodgers and Merck Mercuriadis

13 August 2019

How much is a song worth? Two people who should know are the Chic founder and his manager, who have started a company to buy some of the world’s most famous back catalogues. They explain how music investing works and why many songwriters are miffed with Spotify.