Viewsroom

Breakingviews columnists talk about the big numbers, crunchy deals and nasty spats in global business and economics, offering a weekly dose of financial insight that goes beyond the concise and provocative views readers get from our columns every day.

News
1
Electronic Arts takeover resets the buyout game
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund and private equity firm Silver Lake are pouring vast resources into their $55 bln acquisition of the ‘FC’ videogame developer. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how the record deal turns received M&A wisdom on its head.
19 min
2
The risks of defanging the Federal Reserve
27 min
3
New visa policy pits Team Trump against itself
A $100,000 fee for hiring skilled foreign workers sent panic through tech giants like Google and Microsoft, whose own CEOs once used the H-1B program. In this week’s Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the plan’s merits and how it clashes with other economic aims.
22 min
4
Copper alchemizes into pure M&A gold
25 min
5
No pain, no gain: Ozempic’s quest for market share
25 min
6
France pushes EU’s omnicrisis to breaking point
22 min
7
Ukraine peace push stirs oil market limbo
16 min
8
Big law firms are at sharp end of AI boom
Machine learning is already saving office workers from laborious research, but it also could herald the end of professional services’ fee structure. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate how lawyers, auditors and other consultants can mitigate the risk.
21 min
9
Japan’s M&A push faces internal obstacles
Tokyo wants companies to embrace dealmaking to boost the low-growth economy. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why the $33 bln buyout of Toyota Industries and failed $46 bln bid for Seven & i offer a poor verdict on the official value push.
22 min
10
Wall Street bank boom is defying gravity
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley all released results in recent weeks. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why, despite looming tariffs and stubborn inflation, these lenders appear to be firing on all cylinders – but also why it may not last.
26 min
11
Trump’s tariff war demands countervailing force
Europe is still reeling after the US president announced 30% levies on all exports. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate how Brussels and others can react, and why, given the thus far measured response, Trump has reason to push even harder.
20 min
12
Trump’s ‘beautiful’ bill leaves scars worldwide
25 min
13
Nippon Steel deal reveals cost of ‘America First’
19 min
14
US IPO bounty may be tricky to duplicate
CoreWeave, Circle Internet Group and Chime Financial all enjoyed dizzying success after their stock market debuts. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why investors are scrambling to own these companies and how scarcity may be adding to their allure.
16 min
15
Israel-Iran crisis climbs ladder of financial risk
23 min
16
Elon Musk has a lot to lose in Trump brawl
The Tesla and SpaceX billionaire boiled over with criticism of the US president after leaving his government cost-slashing role. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the tale of the tape for the bruising bust-up.
24 min
17
AI arms race is only just getting started
26 min
18
Wild market swings are good reason to take stock
19 min
19
Gold glistens brighter in a chaotic world
The yellow metal’s value rose by over a third in the past year, as volatile markets and a sliding dollar highlight the oldest safe haven. On this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the degree to which investors may be seeking a hedge against the whims of states.
17 min
20
Pauses, tweaks and can-kicking are new trade norms
The US inked a deal with the UK and agreed to freeze triple-digit tariffs on China. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain what these agreements reveal about the Trump administration’s negotiating hand, and what trade is likely to look like in the future.
22 min
21
Buffett’s $350 bln parting gift is double-edged
The Sage of Omaha is preparing to step down, handing the reins of Berkshire Hathaway over to Greg Abel. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the challenge of putting an enviable cash pile to work in the shadow of an investing legend’s track record.
23 min
22
CK Hutchison deal is test of Chinese hospitality
23 min
23
The China-US trade war is set to keep spiraling
24 min
24
How Trump’s tariff turmoil scarred global markets
28 min
25
US tariff mania keeps everyone on edge
26 min