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.