James Politi, FT's Washington Bureau Chief, shares insights on what to expect as US election results are released, emphasizing market reactions and key battleground states. He discusses the uncertainty surrounding the election amidst legal battles. Anu Adeoye, FT's West Africa correspondent, highlights the rise of the Nigerian fintech company MoneyPoint as it achieves unicorn status, addressing the innovation in banking solutions tailored for a cash-centric economy and its potential impact across Africa.
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Quick takeaways
Investor sentiment shifted as polling in Iowa suggested Kamala Harris could lead, causing the dollar to decline and increasing uncertainty about election results.
The rise of Nigeria-based fintech Moniepoint to unicorn status highlights its vital role in improving banking access amid prevalent cash transactions and unbanked populations.
Deep dives
Investor Sentiment and Election Dynamics
Investor sentiment surrounding the U.S. presidential election significantly shifted as polls indicated a potential lead for Kamala Harris in Iowa, a state previously won by Trump. This change contributed to the dollar's decline and falling U.S. treasury yields as market participants reconsidered their forecasts related to Trump's policies, which could lead to inflation and slower interest rate cuts. The uncertainties heading into Election Day raised questions about when a winner could be determined, especially given the close nature of the race and the rules surrounding mail-in ballots in key states. The patterns observed in Florida and other early-counting states are crucial indicators for both candidates, adding to the tense anticipation of election results.
Fintech Growth Amidst Infrastructure Challenges
A Nigerian fintech company, MoneyPoint, has recently achieved unicorn status, highlighting its crucial role in addressing significant banking infrastructure issues in Nigeria. With 60% of transactions still conducted in cash and a considerable portion of the population unbanked, MoneyPoint facilitates access to financial services, including bank accounts and point-of-sale systems, appealing to both individuals and businesses. As the startup grapples with challenges in securing credit for small enterprises, it also aims to expand its services across other African markets, where similar banking issues persist. The landscape for African tech is shifting; despite recent investment slowdowns, companies like MoneyPoint that provide essential services are seen as pivotal in rejuvenating the sector.
The dollar weakened on Monday as global markets reined in their bets on a victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election, and the Financial Times’ James Politi explains what to look out for as results trickle in. Plus, Spain’s prime minister is facing political backlash over the country’s historic flooding and the Nigeria-based fintech Moniepoint has gained “unicorn” status.
The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.