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
51
Inflation dip puts central bankers in a pickle
The Federal Reserve and ECB once again hiked interest rates. Yet US price rises are easing with few signs of economic pain. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how this phenomenon, dubbed ‘immaculate disinflation’, complicates what policymakers do next.
15 min
52
China’s growing pains are only just beginning
The recovery in the world’s second largest economy is stalling. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how that weakness will test President Xi Jinping’s resolve to deleverage sectors including property and add urgency to find new growth engines.
20 min
53
Thames Water’s leaky financials are far from fixed
The privately owned UK water company managed to cobble together a rescue from existing shareholders. But in this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss why the fresh funds may not be enough, and the threat of nationalisation hangs over the sector as a whole.
13 min
54
Canary Wharf faces stiff test to reinvent itself
HSBC is quitting the financial hub and moving to smaller quarters. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how hybrid working is an existential threat for commercial property and how Canary Wharf’s pivot to residential and retail may only be a partial salve.
21 min
55
Putin’s problems are only minor boost for Ukraine
The Russian president restored a semblance of calm in Moscow after an aborted mutiny. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate what this means for the country’s invasion of its neighbour. It’s helpful, but not necessarily transformative, for Kyiv’s resistance.
23 min
56
Rebuilding Ukraine: how much and who pays?
Talk of reconstruction may seem premature with Russia still firing missiles at Kyiv. Yet that’s what policymakers and financiers gathered in London this week to debate. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the cost, the timetable, and who picks up the tab.
17 min
57
Man United sale heads into messy added time
The Premier League soccer club is in the final stages of a tense bidding war. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the merits of offers from a Qatari suitor and chemicals tycoon Jim Ratcliffe, and what options minority investors face if they are shut out.
10 min
58
Saudi oil cuts collide with investor scepticism
The Gulf state is slashing oil production in July and convinced OPEC+ to extend cuts to the end of 2024. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how these restrictions may still not be enough to convince investors to stop worrying about recession.
17 min
59
Syngenta’s bumper IPO will test Chinese appetite
The seeds-to-pesticides group is planning a $9 bln stock market float in Shanghai this year. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how investors need to get comfortable with its high debt levels and use of toxic chemicals that could hurt its valuation.
16 min
60
Debt ceiling crash will have few victims
President Joe Biden is trying to hammer out a deal with Republican lawmakers to ensure the United States can keep its lights on. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how even if the world’s largest economy defaults on its debts the damage will be limited.
12 min
61
Erdogan part three would be worse and the same
The Turkish president is in a heated battle to lead the battered country. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the risks Turkey faces if he stays in office, his rival’s offering and how the outcome of the election will impact the rest of the world.
10 min
62
Pharma’s obesity gold rush will have limits
Drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are vying for a large slab of the weight loss medications market, which analysts reckon could be worth $100 bln by 2031. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how investor optimism in a booming market is unwarranted.
13 min
63
First Republic’s rescue cements ‘too big to fail’
JPMorgan rode to the rescue of the mid-sized lender, which recently became the latest US bank to keel over. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the impact of lending giants bulking up further, and whether that itself stores up future risks.
10 min
64
EY’s failed split raises stakes for Plan B
The Big Four professional services firm called off a plan to separate its audit and consulting arms. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss what went wrong, the implications for its rivals, and the pressure on EY bosses to show the intact business can thrive.
13 min
65
Politicians and policy wonks diverge on economy
Prominent policymakers and world leaders met in Washington last week to discuss the economic outlook. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why US politicians are taking a rosier view of inflation and vulnerabilities in the banking sector than the IMF.
11 min
66
Commercial property pain is only just beginning
Valuations of offices and shopping malls are under threat as rising interest rates ratchet up the cost of buying real estate. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how inflation and remote working could make the crisis far worse than 2008.
12 min
67
WWE and UFC merger mania is quite the production
The wrestling heavyweight has agreed to merge with Endeavor’s mixed martial arts franchise in a $21 bln deal. In this Viewsroom episode, Breakingviews columnists discuss why the transaction makes sense strategically, but the financial logic is contorted.
9 min
68
Alibaba breakup sends positive vibes to investors
The $265 bln Chinese tech giant is splitting into six pieces. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how the move could be replicated by peers like Tencent and how Beijing’s business charm offensive is sending the right signals to China watchers.
11 min
69
Credit Suisse rescue sends shockwaves far and wide
The ailing Swiss lender was saved by UBS with a $3 bln takeover. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate why the deal pushes up bank funding costs, how the new mega-lender affects Switzerland’s financial system, and why bank deposits are becoming less reliable.
17 min
70
SVB’s collapse casts long and global shadow
The US bank’s failure sparked a mass selloff in bank stocks. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the causes of investor jitters, the long-term implications of intervention by governments and regulators, and the latest concerns about Credit Suisse.
15 min
71
China’s unambitious goals reflect growing worries
The People’s Republic is hoping to deliver 5% GDP growth this year and is creating a new finance watchdog. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how jitters in real estate could hamper a recovery and how regulatory changes could create bigger problems.
17 min
72
UK’s Brexit fix has perks for all sides
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed a trade deal with the European Union this week. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain what the accord will mean for future relations between Britain and the 27-nation bloc and how Northern Ireland may get an economic boost.
12 min
73
Ukraine’s long shadow on business and geopolitics
It’s been 12 months since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how energy markets have changed for good, how defence companies are benefiting, and another potential conflict troubling CEOs and investors.
16 min
74
The big bet against Japan’s new central bank boss
The world’s third largest economy picked Kazuo Ueda to be governor of the Bank of Japan. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the challenges facing this outsider as international investors continue to bet against the BOJ keeping rates low.  
17 min
75
Europe is playing catch-up in green subsidy race
The U.S. unveiled $369 bln of climate subsidies for consumers and manufacturers. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why Brussels may need to launch a similarly ambitious plan or risk losing its share of jobs of the future.
12 min