Behind the Money

Illumina, the world’s biggest gene sequencing company, announced plans to buy cancer detection start-up Grail for $8bn while the biotech boom was in full swing. To Illumina, Grail looked like a potential gold mine. Until reality — and regulators — entered the picture. Three years and an activist investor campaign waged by Carl Icahn later, the FT’s US pharmaceutical correspondent Jamie Smyth explains the problems that have cropped up and what it means for both companies and their shareholders. Clips from Illumina Inc / Seeking Alpha, Yahoo- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Carl Icahn takes aim at genome sequencer Illumina over Grail dealHas Illumina taken the wrong path in its Grail quest?Quick blood tests to spot cancer: will they help or harm patients? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Twitter, follow Jamie Smyth (@JamieSmythF) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07)Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, Crispin Odey sat atop the UK’s hedge fund scene. Lauded by many in financial circles as a charismatic maverick and known for taking high-risk bets on the market, he seemed untouchable. Until two weeks ago. The FT published a scathing investigation detailing the accounts of more than a dozen women accusing Odey of sexual misconduct. Madison Marriage and Antonia Cundy, from the FT’s special investigations team, look at the fallout from these allegations, and explain whether they think this is the start of a reckoning in UK finance. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:How Crispin Odey evaded sexual assault allegations for decadesThe week the City ditched Crispin OdeyWhen it comes to harassment, the City must stop protecting its walletThe fallout from the FT’s Crispin Odey investigation- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Twitter, follow Madison Marriage (@miss_marriage), Antonia Cundy (@antoniacundy) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07). You can contact Madison and Antonia directly here: madison.marriage@ft.com and antonia.cundy@ft.comRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crypto is at a crossroads. As exchanges and currencies blow up, the US Securities and Exchange Commission is ready to step in. But is crypto a security, like a stock? Or a tradable item of speculation, like a Beanie Baby? Today on the show, Robert Armstrong and Ethan Wu argue about the benefits and risks of regulating crypto. Also, we go short home prices, and long … the bone trade.Subscribe to the Unhedged newsletterFollow Ethan Wu (@ethanywu) and Katie Martin (@katie_martin_fx) on TwitterRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ghana was once considered a success story and a model for African development. But after suffering several economic shocks, the west African country is now struggling to pay off its debts. The FT’s west Africa correspondent Aanu Adeoye and Africa editor David Pilling explain how Ghana exemplifies the debt cycle that many African countries find themselves stuck in, and what has to change to break it. Clip from GhanaWeb TV- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:How Ghana’s economy became a cautionary tale for AfricaAfrica needs international help to avoid a lost decadeGhana default puts domestic debt ‘can of worms’ in the spotlightGhana secures $3bn IMF deal after creditors agree to debt restructuring- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Twitter, follow Aanu Adeoye (@aanuadeoye), David Pilling (@davidpilling) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07)Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We want to tell you about a new podcast coming soon! On Unhedged, Ethan Wu, Katie Martin and other markets nerds at the Financial Times explain the big ideas behind what’s happening in finance right now. Unhedged launches June 13, you can follow the show here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At one time not that long ago, you could find Libor in everything: mortgages, corporate loans, credits cards and more. Now, its days are numbered. The FT’s Harriet Clarfelt and Philip Stafford take us back to the 1980s origins of the scandal-ridden benchmark rate, how its reputation came apart and why, with just weeks to go before a June 30 deadline, one part of the financial world is still racing to leave it behind. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Loan market braced for rush to Libor finish line The pain and SOFRing are almost over‘Litigation will take over’: US lawmakers warned of Libor chaos- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Twitter, follow Harriet Clarfelt (@HClarfelt), Philip Stafford (@staffordphilip) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07)Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re revisiting an episode from last year. Johnson & Johnson, one of the world’s largest healthcare companies, is facing thousands of lawsuits from people alleging they got cancer from using one of their oldest products: talc-based baby powder. To manage the growing liability, J&J deployed a controversial bankruptcy manoeuvre known as the Texas two-step. The FT’s US pharmaceutical correspondent Jamie Smyth helps us explore whether J&J’s use of this manoeuvre is setting a precedent for corporations to evade accountability in America. Plus, stick around for an update on what’s happened to the Texas two-step since this episode first aired. Clip from NBC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Johnson & Johnson’s ‘Texas-two-step’ sparks outcry over US bankruptcy regimeTalc ruling a blow to J&J and the ‘Texas two-step’ bankruptcy jigTalcum powder cancer claims target J&J’s new consumer carve-out- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Twitter, follow Jamie Smyth (@JamieSmythF) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07)Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As cryptocurrencies have grown in popularity and people use cash less and less, central banks have been put on the defensive. Their solution to stay relevant and maintain control? A central bank digital currency. Institutions such as the European Central Bank see it as their way to leap into the digital age. But as the ECB is pushing forward with its agenda, it’s facing criticism from the very people and banks who would help keep it alive. The FT’s Martin Arnold takes a closer look at the digital euro — its promises, pitfalls and why people took to the streets to protest against it earlier this year.   Clips from CNBC, Council on Foreign Relations, Meta, NBC- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:The digital euro: a solution seeking a problem?Central banks’ digital currency plans face public backlashFacebook Libra: the inside story of how the company’s cryptocurrency dream died- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Twitter, follow Martin Arnold (@MAmdorsky) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07)Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The London Stock Exchange once held the top spot in global financial markets. In recent years, that’s changed drastically. The FT’s Harriet Agnew and Katie Martin explain how a yacht floating off the Canary Islands 30 years ago played a critical role in changing the stock market. Clips from CBS, Thames News - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Britain’s ‘capitalism without capital’: the pension funds that shun risk ‘There are no domestic equity investors’: why companies are fleeing London’s stock marketWhy Europe’s stock markets are failing to challenge the US- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Twitter, follow Harriet Agnew (@HarrietAgnew), Katie Martin (@katie_martin_fx) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07)Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the final episode of BTM Night School, we're talking markets: from stocks to bonds to commodities. We're joined by the FT's Markets editor Katie Martin and Ethan Wu, a member of the FT’s Wall Street team. Katie and Ethan unpack why last year was terrible for stocks, what bonds can tell you about inflation, and which market gives us the clearest picture into the “real” economy. This series is made in collaboration with Blinkist. To hear more conversations like this, check out the Blinkist app. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Interested in pursuing a Master of Business Administration? Sign up for our newsletter course MBA 101 for your guide to applying and getting into business school.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.