Why the Fed cut rates and signalled caution on December

Meta and Microsoft had mixed earnings reports, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and said it would halt quantitative tightening and South Korea has agreed to invest $350bn in the US in return for lower tariffs on car exports. Plus, John Malone is stepping down as chair of his media and telecoms empire, marking the end of an era in which the “cable cowboy” reshaped both industries.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Meta hit by huge AI spending

Federal Reserve trims US interest rates by quarter point but casts doubt on December cut

Federal Reserve nears end of QT amid signs of stress in money markets

US and South Korea seal trade deal

‘Cable cowboy’ John Malone to step down from media and telecoms empire

Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Lucy Baldwin, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello. 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

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